Hormone Health with Shana Light, FNP-C
An evidence-based, individualized approach to hormone balance
Shana Light is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in hormone health across the adult lifespan. Shana focuses on careful diagnosis, shared decision-making, and treatments supported by current clinical guidelines.
She emphasizes safety, monitoring, and tailoring care to each person's goals and medical history.
Shana's Evidence-Based Approach
Shana follows established clinical practice guidelines and peer-reviewed evidence when recommending hormone therapies. That means:
- Confirming diagnoses with appropriate history, physical exam, and laboratory testing.
- Discussing benefits, risks, and alternatives in plain language so you can make informed choices.
- Preferring FDA-approved formulations and avoiding unregulated compounded preparations unless medically necessary.
- Monitoring therapy with labs and follow-up visits at guideline-recommended intervals.
Who We Treat
Adults seeking care for:
- Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness)
- Perimenopause and menstrual irregularities
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Low testosterone
- Hormone-related fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, libido concerns, and bone health
Services & Visits
- Comprehensive intake & diagnostic testing
- Individualized hormone therapy plans (topical, transdermal, oral, injections when indicated)
- Monitoring & safety follow-up
- Lifestyle and non-hormonal management strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does "evidence-based" mean for hormone care?
It means we use the best available clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed research to guide diagnosis, treatment choices, dosing, and monitoring. We also factor in your values, goals, and medical history.
2. Is hormone therapy safe?
All therapies carry potential benefits and risks. For example, menopausal hormone therapy can greatly relieve hot flashes and prevent bone loss, but it may have risks in some people depending on age, medical history, and timing of initiation. We review these risks together and choose the safest effective option for you.
3. What about "bioidentical" or compounded hormones?
Most professional organizations recommend FDA-approved hormone products when possible because their dosing, purity, and safety are regulated. Compounded products can vary in potency and purity; they are considered only when no suitable commercial product exists and after discussing tradeoffs.
4. Will I need blood tests?
Often yes. Tests may include hormone panels, thyroid function, metabolic markers, and other labs tailored to your symptoms and treatment. Some aspects of menopause are diagnosed clinically, but lab testing helps guide and monitor therapy when appropriate.
5. How long will I need hormone therapy?
Duration depends on the condition being treated and your risk profile. For menopausal symptom control, many people use therapy for several years; we regularly reassess the need and safety of continuing treatment together.
6. How do you monitor safety?
Monitoring plans vary by therapy but often include symptom review, physical exams, and periodic laboratory testing (e.g., hormone levels, metabolic panel, lipid profile). We also screen for therapy-specific risks and coordinate with specialists as needed.