Perimenopause: The Transition

Perimenopause, hormonal imbalance, women’s hormone panel, menopause, weight gain, functional testing, naturopathic doctor, fatigue, nutritional counseling, herbal medicine

Perimenopause. The word itself is a bit of a mystery for many women. Often, my patients wonder what is happening in their bodies – something feels off, but it’s not quite hot flashes and night sweats yet.

Is it the feeling of being tired, a lumpy midsection and your kids are on your last nerve?

Or is it the worry that your hormones are unbalanced and you’re going to have to live with this “time of life” indefinitely?

When Jess* was struggling with persistent symptoms, her bloodwork came back “normal,” offering no clear answers. With no reliable relief for her symptoms from her Western doctor, she turned to my office for a Women’s Hormone Panel and consultation.

With permission, I’ll share her story about living in the transitional stage between childbearing years and menopause.

“For months, I had been feeling run down and emotionally exhausted. At age 45, I was not sure I was in menopause because I wasn’t having symptoms like low libido, hot flashes or night sweats. I can tell you I had weight that stubbornly clung to my hips. I did not feel like exercising at any time of the day. And I often felt irritable with my husband and teenage kids.

“I asked for a blood workup from my Western doctor. Still, he was hesitant to perform what he called “an unnecessary test” when I didn’t have the typical symptoms that would indicate I was experiencing menopause.

“What I like about Dr. Graves is how he recognizes that each patient is different. What might work or be true for one patient might not be accurate for another. We are not cookie cutters, he likes to say.

“Dr. Graves recommended a comprehensive and functional test called the Women’s Hormone Panel, which included a meeting with him to discuss the results. As it turned out, since my last blood test, my estrogen had dropped drastically, and I had crossed over from perimenopause to menopause.

“Looking back, I can see the subtle symptoms I was experiencing and how I continued to explain them away as if I had to endure the discomfort. Having had a hysterectomy in my early 40s, I was unable to notice the shift in myself definitively. At the same time, I was suffering needlessly.

“Dr. Graves told me there are lots of options for women who are in perimenopause to navigate the transition with ease. The first step is understanding your hormonal landscape. An efficient way to do that is through bloodwork.

“I asked Dr. Graves to share my story because I wanted women who are in their 30-50s to know:

  1. You don’t have to endure suffering through these symptoms – you can actually THRIVE during this time
  2. There are natural treatments and lifestyle modifications you can try that will help your body find comfort and relief from the symptoms of perimenopause.
  3. You are not alone.”

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I’ve seen countless patients, like Jess, struggling with perimenopausal symptoms, often feeling dismissed or told their concerns are “all in their head.” But I know firsthand that these experiences are real and deeply impactful.

The key is to understand that “normal” doesn’t always mean “optimal.”

While your hormone levels may fall within the “normal” range, they may not be optimally balanced for your body. An imbalance can lead to a cascade of symptoms, including:

  • Mood swings and anxiety: Hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact your mood, making you feel irritable, anxious, or even depressed.
  • Fatigue: You may experience persistent fatigue, even after getting enough sleep.
  • Weight gain: Changes in metabolism and hormonal balance can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Sleep disturbances: Hot flashes, night sweats, and frequent awakenings can disrupt your sleep.

At Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture, we take a functional approach to women’s health. We focus on identifying and addressing the underlying root causes of your symptoms rather than simply dismissing or masking them.

Our approach may include:

  • Hormone testing: To assess your hormone levels and identify any imbalances.
  • Nutritional counseling: To optimize your diet and support hormonal balance.
  • Herbal medicine: Utilizing herbs like chasteberry, maca, and dong quai to support hormonal function.
  • Lifestyle modifications: Incorporating stress management techniques, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.

Remember, you don’t have to navigate this transition alone. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me online or by calling (303) 688-6698 to discuss your concerns and explore personalized strategies for optimizing your hormonal health and improving your quality of life. Let’s work together to navigate perimenopause and menopause with grace and confidence.

*Jess is a fictitious name used for this blog post and to protect the patient’s rights; the patient has permitted me to share this story.

Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture is located in downtown Castle Rock, CO. Dr. Graves is licensed in naturopathic medicine and acupuncture.

Posted in Anxiety, blog, Fatigue, Functional Medicine Lab Tests, Herbal Supplements, Hormone, Natural Medicine, Nutrition, Sleep, weight, Women Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

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