Provider Review · Updated March 2026
Winona Review 2026: HRT for Menopause Weight Management
Winona is not a GLP-1 platform. It is a menopause-focused telehealth service that prescribes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women in perimenopause and menopause. That said, if your weight gain is driven by hormonal changes rather than appetite, HRT can be more targeted than a GLP-1. Winona offers compounded estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA from $39/month with no membership fee. Their sister company Willow handles GLP-1 prescribing for women who want both.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Winona |
|---|---|
| Estrogen Tablets | From $54/month |
| Estrogen Body Cream + Progesterone | $89/month (most popular) |
| Progesterone Capsules | From $39/month |
| Estradiol Patch | From $149/month |
| Membership Fee | None. Pay for medication only. |
| States Served | 33-36 states + Puerto Rico |
| Insurance | Not accepted (HSA/FSA eligible) |
| GLP-1 Available? | No. Partner with Willow for GLP-1s. |
| Founded | 2020, Austin TX |
| ClearScore | N/A (HRT, not GLP-1) |
Pricing
No membership fee. You pay for medication only. Free shipping on all orders.
| Medication | Cost |
|---|---|
| Progesterone capsule | From $39/month |
| Estrogen tablets | From $54/month |
| Estrogen body cream + progesterone | $89/month |
| Vaginal estrogen cream | $89/month |
| Estradiol patch | From $149/month |
| DHEA supplement | $27/3 months |
| Estriol face cream with tretinoin | $150/3 months |
New customer discount: 20% off currently. HSA/FSA accepted.
How It Works
- Complete online intake covering menopause symptoms, medical history, and goals
- Board-certified OB/GYN reviews and prescribes a personalized HRT plan (no lab tests required)
- Medication compounded at Winona’s own 503A pharmacy
- Ships in 3-5 days with free shipping
- Unlimited messaging with your doctor through the patient portal
- Dose adjustments based on symptom response over time
Winona does not require lab tests before prescribing. Their position is that hormone blood tests give unreliable snapshots and symptom-based prescribing is more effective. This is controversial in the medical community but supported by some endocrinologists.
What I Like
Menopause-Only Focus
Every doctor at Winona is an OB/GYN with menopause expertise. This is not a general telehealth platform that added menopause as an afterthought. The specialization means your provider understands the nuances of hormone therapy in ways that a general practitioner might not.
Own Compounding Pharmacy
Winona runs its own 503A compounding pharmacies, giving them more quality control over formulations than platforms that outsource to third-party pharmacies. This matters for consistent dosing and medication quality.
No Membership Fee
You pay for the medication and that is it. No $25/month membership, no consultation fees, no surprise charges. The medication price covers unlimited doctor messaging.
”Feel Better or Your Money Back” Guarantee
Winona offers a satisfaction guarantee for new patients. About 80% of patients report complete symptom relief within 3 months.
Strong Reviews
4.7/5 on Trustpilot from 5,400+ reviews with 86% giving 5 stars. Winona responds to 100% of negative reviews within 24 hours.
What Could Be Better
Not Available in All 50 States
Winona serves 33-36 states plus Puerto Rico. About 14 states are excluded due to telehealth regulations. Competitors like Gennev and Alloy serve all 50 states.
No Video Appointments
All communication is through the text-based patient portal. No video consultations. If you want face-to-face time with your doctor, this is a limitation.
No GLP-1 Medications
Winona does not prescribe semaglutide, tirzepatide, or any GLP-1 medications. If your weight gain is primarily appetite-driven (not hormone-driven), you need a GLP-1 platform. Winona’s sister company Willow handles GLP-1 prescribing and can be used alongside Winona HRT.
The “Bioidentical” Marketing
The term “bioidentical” is not recognized as clinically meaningful by the FDA. There is no evidence that compounded bioidentical hormones are superior to FDA-approved synthetic HRT. Winona’s marketing leans heavily on this term, which some medical professionals consider misleading.
HRT vs. GLP-1 for Menopause Weight Gain
This is the question many women in menopause are asking. The answer depends on what is driving your weight gain.
HRT (Winona) works better if:
- Your weight gain started with perimenopause or menopause
- You are experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes alongside weight gain
- Declining estrogen is redistributing fat to your midsection
- You want to address the hormonal root cause
GLP-1 (other platforms) works better if:
- Your appetite is the primary driver of weight gain
- You need significant weight loss (15%+ of body weight). In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, tirzepatide produced up to 22.5% weight loss over 72 weeks (NEJM, 2022). Semaglutide produced 14.9% in the STEP 1 trial (NEJM, 2021).
- Hormone levels are not the main issue
Both together is an option. Winona for HRT plus Noom Med, Hims/Hers, or Ro for GLP-1 medication. Some women stack both.
For more on body composition changes during weight loss, see our DEXA scan guide.
Who Winona Is Best For
Winona fits well if you are a woman in perimenopause or menopause who:
- Wants HRT to address hormonal weight gain, hot flashes, and other menopause symptoms
- Prefers compounded bioidentical hormones
- Wants a platform focused exclusively on menopause care
- Values unlimited doctor messaging with no consultation fees
- Lives in one of the 33-36 states Winona serves
If you want GLP-1 medications for weight loss, Winona is not the platform. Look at Hims/Hers, Noom Med, or Found.
FAQ
Is Winona legitimate?
Yes. Founded in 2020 in Austin, TX. Trustpilot rating is 4.7/5 from 5,400+ reviews. They run their own 503A compounding pharmacies and work with board-certified OB/GYNs. The FDA recently announced removal of the “black box” warning on estrogen-based HRT (February 2026), which supports Winona’s core business.
Does Winona prescribe GLP-1 medications?
No. Winona is HRT-only for menopause. Their sister company Willow handles GLP-1 weight loss prescribing. You can use both platforms together.
How much does Winona cost?
No membership fee. Medication starts at $39/month for progesterone, $54/month for estrogen tablets, and $89/month for the most popular estrogen cream + progesterone combination. Free shipping. HSA/FSA accepted.
Related
Guides:
Provider Reviews: Willow Review · Noom Review · WeightWatchers Review · Found Review · Hims Review
Compare: All Providers · Best GLP-1 Programs 2026