From Chemistry to Care: The Alloy Periodic Table of Menopause

What’s in a name? For us, everything! In chemistry, an alloy is a fusion of two or more metals that, together, create a more durable substance than the original materials alone. For example, mixing iron and carbon produces steel, one of the strongest metals known. 

When we were searching for a name for our new company, one idea kept returning to us: when the right elements come together, they form something stronger than any of them alone… an alloy! That, in essence, became our mission: to fuse the elements of expertise, evidence-based treatment, and empathetic support to get midlife women the help they so desperately need (and deserve!).

To bring this idea to life in an easy-to-understand, visual way, we created the Alloy Periodic Table of Menopause (image above). Each pillar represents a building block of health:

• Core Nutrients give your body the essential foundation it needs to function at its best.

• Alloy Solutions bring doctor-led, science-backed treatments directly to women navigating menopause.

• Alloy Support ensures you’re not doing it alone, connecting you to trusted experts, empathetic care, and community, because emotional wellness is just as important as physical health.

• Educational Resources provide the knowledge and clarity every woman deserves to make informed choices about her care.

• Wellness Habits are the daily practices, like movement, sleep, and stress management, that support long-term wellbeing.

Together, these elements ladder up to one goal: maintaining your health in a holistic way—physically, mentally, and emotionally—so you can truly thrive throughout perimenopause, menopause, and well into the future.

Why It Matters

Each pillar is important on its own, but the real power comes from how they work together. Nutrients fuel the body, the wellness habits we make sustain it, education empowers action, and Alloy Support ensures women never have to navigate menopause alone.

That’s the essence of Alloy: combining the right elements to make something stronger, more supportive, and built to last.

Meet The Elements

Scroll through to explore the full Periodic Table, discover what each element means, and see how they fit together to support you through midlife and beyond. Save it, share it, and return to it whenever you need a reminder that you already have the building blocks to thrive.

Alloy Solutions 

• AH = Alloy Health Founded by Anne Fulenwider and Monica Molenaar, Alloy Health was created to provide what traditional healthcare was not: accessible, physician-led menopause care that helps women feel their best. We are a fully digital platform that connects women with board-certified menopause-expert physicians and effective, evidence-based, personalized treatment.

• Pr = Progesterone A key steroid hormone in females, primarily responsible for reproductive health, pregnancy maintenance, and broader physiological functions throughout the body. It also helps improve sleep and may help anxiety.  Progesterone works synergistically with estradiol to maintain bone mineral density.

• EsPi = Estradiol Pill A daily oral pill, FDA-approved, bioidentical, and plant-based, that delivers systemic estrogen to relieve menopause symptoms.

• EES = Evamist® Estradiol Spray A transdermal spray, FDA-approved, bioidentical, and plant-based, that delivers systemic estrogen to relieve menopause symptoms.

• EsG = Estradiol Gel A transdermal gel in individual packets applied to the thigh daily. FDA-approved, bioidentical, and plant-based, it delivers systemic estrogen to relieve menopause symptoms.

• EsPa = Estradiol Patch A transdermal patch applied to the abdomen and changed twice weekly. FDA-approved, bioidentical, and plant-based, it delivers systemic estrogen to relieve menopause symptoms.

• LBC = Low-dose Birth Control Pill Provides relief from perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular periods. Plus, it provides contraception (which, yes, you still need in perimenopause!).

• Pa = Paroxetine An FDA-approved, non-hormonal anti-depressant (SSRI) that, when taken in very low doses, has been proven to alleviate hot flashes and night sweats.

• MHT = Menopausal Hormone Therapy The first-line treatment for menopause, the combination of systemic estrogen and progesterone is FDA-approved to treat symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), and the prevention of  osteoporosis. Also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy, MHT works by replenishing the hormones that decline in our bodies during menopause.

• M4 = M4 Skincare Collection Estriol-powered, prescription-strength skincare clinically proven to boost collagen production, enhance elasticity, and improve overall skin health.

• M4FC = M4 Face Cream Rx with Estriol The original. Alloy’s fragrance-free, prescription-only, estrogen-based face cream that hydrates, restores elasticity, and rebuilds collagen. Clinically proven to improve firmness, bounce, and texture in 12 weeks—with up to 88% improvement in elasticity.

• M4FS = M4 Face Serum Rx with Estriol, Peptides, and Hyaluronic Acid Our clinically proven, prescription-only, estrogen-based formulation in serum form, with palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 and acetyl hexapeptide-8 to support collagen production and improve skin texture, firmness, and radiance. Hyaluronic acid retains moisture to keep skin plump, smooth, and elastic.

• M4EC = M4 Eye Cream Rx with Estriol and Peptides Our prescription-only eye cream that combines 1% estriol with wrinkle-fighting peptides (pentapeptide-4 and acetyl hexapeptide-8) and is clinically proven to brighten, tighten, and transform the delicate eye area.

• OMG = O-mazing Cream A custom-blended topical cream with the active ingredient generic Sildenafil (used in Viagra), prescribed to enhance sexual arousal and satisfaction.

• EVC = Estradiol Vaginal Cream Used topically to treat the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: vaginal dryness, itchiness, burning, and painful sex, and the prevention of frequent UTIs.

• Tr = Tretinoin Cream Rx with Niacinamide and Aloe A topical facial treatment for acne, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration.

• RFC = Rosacea Face Cream Rx A prescription cream that calms inflamed, sensitive skin and visibly reduces redness. 

• GLP1 = GLP-1 Medications Glucagon-like peptide agonists are medications that work by mimicking a natural hormone which helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. Alloy offers 3 options for midlife weight care: Zepbound, Wegovy, and liraglutide.

• Ze = Zepbound® A GLP-1 medication prescribed for weight care.

• We = Wegovy® A GLP-1 medication prescribed for weight care.

• CL = Compounded Liraglutide A GLP-1 medication prescribed for weight care.

• LOM = Low-dose Oral Minoxidil A daily pill that treats hair thinning and loss with the same active ingredient as Rogaine, in a lower dose. 

• All-Syn = Alloy Synbiotic Alloy’s own custom-blended formulation of probiotic spores, kiwifruit prebiotic fiber, and citrus flavonoids supports a healthy gut microbiome, immune system, and overall wellness.

Alloy Support

• Com = Community It’s essential to feel supported by like-minded people who understand you. At Alloy, we have a powerful community of women led by medical experts, whose goal is to listen, guide, and provide the most up-to-date information to help you throughout menopause.

• Edu = Education  The initial purpose and continual guiding mission of Alloy is to empower women with the information they need to make their own informed decisions about their midlife health—by offering proven, evidence-based information and the latest clinical guidance from menopause-expert physicians.

• SG = Support Groups Alloy’s Support Groups are online communities for women in perimenopause and menopause, providing a safe space to connect with others and share experiences.

• Web = Webinars Alloy leads educational sessions with experts and professionals including OB-GYNs, urologists, dermologists, psychologists, and endocrinologists. We offer free access to our vast library of expert discussions on topics including sexual health, skincare, midlife weight gain, and more, here.

• MEP = Menopause-Expert Physicians Every healthcare practitioner who works with Alloy is a board-certified physician and menopause expert who follows guidelines from The Menopause Society and ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).

Core Nutrients 

• Mg = Magnesium Helps support bone density as estrogen levels decline, reducing the risk of osteoporosis. It also plays a role in regulating mood and sleep, which can be affected by hormonal shifts, and may ease symptoms like muscle cramps, anxiety, and hot flashes.

• Ca = Calcium Estrogen decline in menopause leads to bone density loss. Calcium can help slow bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures. It also supports cardiovascular health and muscle and nerve function.

• C = Vitamin C As collagen declines in menopause, vitamin C supports collagen production (good for skin), iron absorption, antioxidant activity, and immune system function.

• D = Vitamin D With estrogen loss in menopause, vitamin D helps support calcium absorption—important for bone and tooth health, mood, and brain health.

• E = Vitamin E Helpful for women in menopause as it can ease symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. It helps maintain skin and eye health, antioxidant activity, and immune system function, and can help regulate mood and improve sleep quality. 

• K2 = Vitamin K2 An important vitamin for menopausal women as it helps improve bone density and prevent osteoporosis. It also reduces arterial stiffness, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. 

• B6 = Vitamin B6 Essential for producing dopamine and serotonin (the “feel-good” chemicals) that dip when hormones decline in menopause and cause moodiness or depression. It also supports the nervous system, energy production, and cognitive function (helping to combat fatigue and brain fog). 

• B12 = Vitamin B12 Helps support brain function (memory, focus) and reduce the brain fog that can come with menopause. Also helpful for vision, energy production, heart and bone health. 

• Fo = Folate Can regulate the neurotransmitters (like serotonin) that affect mood and energy levels, combatting fatigue and brain fog common in menopause. Good for cell growth and heart health; helps in the production of red blood cells, preventing anemia.

• FoA = Folic Acid Can help reduce the severity of hot flashes and can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke (the leading cause of death for women over 40). It’s also good for bone health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, as well as cognitive health.

• O3 = Omega-3 Fatty Acids Considered to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve the joint pain and skin dryness that are common in menopause, and improve cognitive function and heart health.

• Zn = Zinc Can help stabilize mood and improve cognitive function that declines with hormone loss in menopause. It can also help vaginal health by alleviating dryness, bone health by reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and immune function for overall long-term wellness.

• Fe = Iron An essential element for red blood cell production, immune system, muscle function, cognitive function, and sleep. Low iron in menopause can lead to symptoms including extreme fatigue, weakness, and rapid heartbeat.  

• F = Fiber Important for menopausal women in managing digestive issues like constipation and bloating, weight management, and heart health. A high-fiber diet can improve gut health, support bone density, and prevent blood-sugar spikes which can exacerbate hot flashes.   

• Prt = Protein In menopause, hormone loss can lead to a decline in muscle and bone mass. Protein helps build and repair muscles, bones, skin, nails, and hair; and boosts metabolism which can help with weight management.

• Col = Collagen Hormonal loss in menopause causes collagen production to take a major hit. Collagen is necessary for skin, bone, gut, joint, hair and nail health. 

• H2O = Water Hydration is essential for many bodily functions and particularly important during menopause for regulating body temperature, nutrient absorption, aiding digestion, skin health, weight management, and more. Drink more water, everybody!

Educational Resources

• EM = Estrogen Matters: Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve and Lengthen Women's Lives—Without Raising the Risk of Breast Cancer by Avrum Bluming, MD, and Carol Tavris, PhD

• HTM = How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better than Before by Tamsen Fadal 

• TNM = The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Mary Claire Haver, MD 

• TMM = The Menopause Moment: Mindset, Hormones & Science for Optimal Longevity by Kelly Casperson, MD 

• UB = Unbreakable, A Woman’s Guide to Aging with Power  by Vonda Wright, MD

• GWT = Grown Woman Talk: Your Essential Companion for Healthy Living by Sharon Malone, MD, Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy 

Wellness Habits

• RT = Resistance Training A form of exercise that involves working muscles against a force (like elastic bands) to build strength, flexibility, and endurance; it’s especially important for women in midlife for bone and heart health.

• WT = Weight Training A form of exercise that uses weighted objects (like dumbbells or hand weights) to build muscle and improve strength; it’s especially important for women in midlife for boosting metabolism, weight management, and heart health.

• Car = Cardio Cardiovascular exercise is any physical activity that elevates your heart rate with the goal of lowering blood pressure, strengthening heart and lung health, and reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

• Sl = Sleep Essential for supporting mental and physical health, organ and brain function, strengthening the immune system, maintaining a healthy weight, improving mood, and more.

• DiC = Dietary Changes To maintain a healthy weight, strong immune system, and mental health, it’s important to eat a diet rich in nutrients, protein, fiber, and whole grains.

• StR = Stress Reduction Chronic stress can have negative impacts on physical and mental health. Reducing it can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, decrease the risk of mental health disorders, and more. Common stress relief methods include meditation, breathwork, yoga, and other physical exercises.

• Hy = Hydration Getting enough water is important for digestive, cognitive, nutritional, and skin health; it boosts energy levels and reduces the risk of many health issues.

• Sun = Natural Sunlight An important source of vitamin D, which is good for bone and immune health, sleep regulation, cardiovascular health, and mood.

• Ex = Exercise Helps maintain healthy weight, enhances sleep quality, improves immune function, and overall health and longevity.

• Med = Meditation Helps calm the mind and body, reducing stress, enhancing focus and clarity, promoting emotional and overall wellbeing.

• Yo = Yoga An ancient Indian practice that uses physical poses and breathing techniques to improve physical health, reduce stress, enhance mental focus and clarity, and promote emotional and spiritual wellbeing.