Hormone & Regenerative Medicine Specialist

We sat down to talk with Maurica Cox, NP-C about her work as a women’s health nurse practitioner in Petoskey, Michigan, the patient moments that continue to shape her approach to care, and the quiet but powerful treatment conversations she believes deserve far more attention.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you enjoy outside of work?
Right now, life is very centered around family. My husband and I spend most of our time with our kids and their sports and school activities, and we genuinely love it. We are in that season of watching them grow, make friends, and find their confidence, and it is really special. We also love spending time at our family cottage, being on the water, and cooking and baking together. The kids are very into finding recipes and baking on the weekends, so if we are home, that is usually what we are doing.

Where did you work before joining the team here?
Before coming here, I worked at Charlevoix Women’s Health for a couple of years. Prior to that, I spent eight years in a women’s health office in the East Lansing area.

Have you tried any of the treatments you offer yourself?
I have not personally done hormone therapy, NAD+, or medical weight loss. I have done PRF and had great results, and I do perform that treatment as well.

What inspired your passion for hormone health and regenerative medicine?
My background is deeply rooted in women’s health. I started my career as a labor and delivery nurse, which really sparked my interest in becoming a nurse practitioner. I have now been a women’s health NP for over ten years, caring for women through every stage, from contraception and pregnancy to menopause.

Menopause in particular is such a passion of mine because so many women feel dismissed or brushed aside during that phase of life. Listening to them, validating what they are experiencing, and helping them feel supported is incredibly important to me. While women’s health is my foundation, I also really enjoy being able to care for men here as well, especially with testosterone replacement.

What concerns do you hear most often from patients?
For women, it is often the classic symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, but just as commonly it is fatigue, brain fog, low libido, and trouble sleeping. For men, energy is a big one, especially the afternoon slump. Many men initially say their libido is fine, but as we talk more, they realize it is not what it used to be. They have adapted to a new normal without realizing how much things have changed.

What improvements do men often notice after testosterone replacement therapy?
Many describe it as an overall sense of feeling better. Improved mental clarity, better mood, stronger workouts, faster recovery, and less joint discomfort are very common. A lot of men tell me they did not realize how bad they were feeling until they started to feel good again. It often impacts their outlook on life in a really positive way.

Can you share a favorite patient success story?
There are so many, but one that stands out is a woman in her mid 50s who had been struggling for years. She had been prescribed multiple psychiatric medications but felt strongly that something else was going on. When she came in, we talked through everything she was experiencing. I was very honest that hormone therapy could help many symptoms, but we would navigate it thoughtfully and safely.

Six weeks after her first pellet, she came back feeling dramatically better. Over time, working with her psychiatrist, she was able to come off several medications and felt like herself again. She told me the most meaningful part was finally feeling listened to. That is why I do this work.

Outside of hormones, what treatments have surprised you most with their results?
Vaginal rejuvenation and pelvic floor treatments have been incredibly impactful. They align closely with women’s health and address things like urinary leakage, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and sexual wellness. These topics are not talked about enough, yet they affect so many women.

I also love medical weight loss because it can be life changing for people who have struggled for years and felt dismissed. Seeing improvements not just in weight, but in inflammation and overall health, is very rewarding.

How do you see hormone and regenerative medicine evolving over the next decade?
I am hopeful that it becomes more accessible, more researched, and more openly discussed. Women’s health has historically been underfunded and under researched, but we are in a better place now than we were before. My hope is that continued research and education will allow us to support both women and men even better in the future.

If you were not in medicine, what would you be doing?
If money were no object, I would have a small bakery with a wildflower garden and honeybees. Lots of land, fresh honey, and big cookies.

What is your go to coffee order?
Black coffee. One cup in the morning. Sometimes cold, and that is just fine.

What is a health myth you love to bust?
That vaginal estrogen is unsafe or unnecessary. It is not systemically absorbed and can be safely used by many women, even those who cannot take systemic estrogen. It is incredibly effective for vaginal dryness, bladder support, and painful intercourse, and it is still underutilized. Almost everyone will experience vaginal tissue changes with age, and knowing there is a safe, effective option makes such a difference.