Polly Watson, MD, FACOG, NCMP, IFMCP

What I focus on

My story

I am a board-certified OB/GYN who stepped off the traditional medical path early in my career. While my training prepared me to manage high-risk pregnancies and perform GYN surgeries, it did not prepare me to care for midlife women who had normal lab results yet felt exhausted, suffered from insomnia, experienced mood instability, and struggled with low libido. Just four years after residency, I transitioned away from surgery and obstetrics to dedicate my career to the women often overlooked in standard practice—those navigating perimenopause, menopause, painful intercourse, and PCOS.

I made this shift nearly 20 years ago in 2008, pursuing advanced training in menopausal medicine through The Menopause Society and sexual medicine through the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. I also attended conferences with the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease and the ASCCP to deepen my knowledge of vulvar and cervical health. As patients brought in unfamiliar supplements, I turned to integrative medicine, attending meetings with the Academy for Integrative Health & Medicine. This path ultimately led me to Functional Medicine, where I earned my certification through the Institute for Functional Medicine in 2019. Functional medicine uses a systems-biology approach to identify the root causes of health imbalances across the body rather than treating organ systems in isolation.

In 2019, I left employed practice to establish Hormone Wellness MD in Raleigh with one clear mission: to restore the doctor-patient relationship. I believe true wellness stems from supportive communities, proper movement, whole nutrition, restful sleep, and collaborative, curious relationships with healthcare providers. Practicing medicine focused entirely on patients rather than insurance requirements allowed me to fulfill this vision. As Hormone Wellness MD has grown, so has my passion for creating empowering healing spaces for women. In 2024, I launched the podcast Menopause Rescue to bring open, honest conversations about midlife health to all women, whether or not they ever enter our clinic.

Outside the office, I am a proud mom of two young adults and the wife of a college professor. I can often be found at the community arts center doing pottery, at the gym lifting weights, or in a hot yoga class. I love the mountains, quiet hikes, and cooking real food for the people I love.

“Dr. Watson is very knowledgeable and caring in her functional medicine approach to wellness. Her staff is very responsive to follow-up questions and requests. Highly recommend.”

Hormone Wellness MD patient