
Menopause and perimenopause
A natural approach to treating menopause.
Are you looking to discover the functional medicine approach to treating menopause or perimenopause? This page covers:
Understanding your condition
What is menopause?
Menopause, also known as the ‘change of life’, marks the end of a woman’s natural reproductive capacity. This transition usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, with an average onset around 50. During menopause, a woman’s body experiences a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone as ovarian function ceases.
Leading up to menopause is a period called perimenopause, which can last 2 to 10 years. During this time, fluctuating hormone levels often cause uncomfortable symptoms as ovarian function gradually declines. Once a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period, she is considered post-menopausal.
In some cases, women experience premature menopause before age 45. This can be caused by premature ovarian failure, surgical removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy, or other factors. About 8% of women face this early transition.
Menopause and perimenopause
A natural treatment for menopause.
Our functional medicine menopause expert takes a personalized approach to helping women navigate their menopause journey. Our practitioner can use functional hormone testing to pinpoint where you are in your perimenopause or menopause journey. This allows us to identify your unique symptoms and situations, so we can determine the best personalized plan for you.

What are the signs and symptoms of menopause?
The transition into menopause can be quite varied. Around 60% of women experience mild symptoms for 4 to 8 years during this time. Another 20% continue to deal with severe symptoms well into their 60s. Meanwhile, roughly 20% may not notice any menopausal symptoms at all.
Increased life expectancy has put greater emphasis on improving quality of life for perimenopausal women, with a focus on optimizing diet and lifestyle to reduce the typically unpleasant hormone-induced symptoms, such as:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweat
- Lightheaded feelings
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Depression
- Unloved feelings
- Anxiety
- Mood changes
- Sleeplessness
- Unusual tiredness
- Backache
- Joint pains
- Brain fog
- Muscle pains
- New facial hair
- Dry skin
- Crawling feelings under the skin
- Less sexual feelings
- Vaginal dryness
- Uncomfortable intercourse
- Frequent urination
Natural vs conventional menopause treatments.
While conventional treatment options are available for menopause, they come with certain risks. The use of bioidentical hormones makes Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) a better choice than conventional hormone replacement therapy, which relies on synthetic hormones. BHRT can actively fight the effects of aging and help balance your hormone levels using chemically and biologically identical hormones. BHRT is offered as progesterone, estrogen, or a combination of the two.
- Progesterone: Progesterone can be a helpful hormone therapy during perimenopause. During this transition, estrogen levels can fluctuate dramatically, causing mood swings, sleep issues, hot flashes, and feelings of stress. Prescription progesterone works by calming the brain and nervous system, which can provide relief from these perimenopausal symptoms. It can also make periods lighter, offering an alternative to progestin-based birth control like the pill or hormonal IUD.
- Estrogen: For women who have had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy, estrogen-only therapy is the recommended treatment. Meanwhile, topical estradiol is often prescribed for women experiencing mild symptoms like vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.
Regardless of how the bioidentical hormones are delivered, patients often experience noticeable benefits. For example, many people report improvements in their mood, sex drive, energy levels, pain reduction, strength, and weight. In short, BHRT can provide a wide range of positive results.
The BionwoRx functional medicine approach.
Natural treatment for menopause.
The menopause journey varies for each person, so our practitioner personalizes her approach to support everyone who comes to us. The beauty of functional medicine is its flexibility – you can use it alongside conventional treatments or as a more holistic, natural menopause remedy.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) aims to replicate and replenish your natural hormones. Functional medicine complements this process by helping restore balance in your body where it’s needed most.
Our practitioner can use functional hormone testing to pinpoint where you are in your perimenopause or menopause journey. From there, she’ll tailor a personalized protocol to support the specific symptoms you’re experiencing, including:
- Mood support
- Reducing inflammation
- Pain relief
- Enhancing sexual health and libido
- Skin care
- Promoting healthy sleep, rest, and relaxation
The treatment plan may include:
BHRT.
BHRT is a way to fight aging and balance your hormones. It does this with the use of chemically and biologically identical hormones. Women who use bioidentical hormones often notice impressive results, such as a better mood, increased sex drive, more energy, reduced pain, greater strength, and even weight loss. In short, bioidentical hormone therapy can provide women with a wide range of benefits in a friendly and approachable way.
Food and nutrition.
The foods we consume can profoundly impact our health at the cellular level. During perimenopause, your food choices can either alleviate or aggravate your symptoms. While it may be tempting to reach for comforting yet unhealthy options like processed snacks, these can worsen inflammation in your body. Instead, this is the perfect time to nourish yourself with anti-inflammatory whole foods – think fresh fruits, veggies, and healthy fats from fish, nuts, and seeds. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are especially beneficial, as they contain compounds that naturally support hormonal balance.
Supplements.
Targeted nutrient supplements can provide therapeutic benefits for a wide range of menopause symptoms. For instance, magnesium offers a multitude of perks – from stress relief and GABA boosting to cortisol regulation, sleep promotion, and support for muscle and joint pain. Taurine, an amino acid and neurotransmitter, also helps relax the brain and block adrenaline. Additionally, vitamin D intake is crucial for maintaining bone mineral density, as most women lose around 10% of their bone mass in the first 5 years after menopause due to declining estrogen levels.
Herbal medicines.
Herbal medicines can provide excellent therapeutic support during menopause. For instance, ashwagandha is a well-known adaptogen that reduces neuroinflammation, helping to alleviate anxiety and promote sleep. Similarly, black cohosh can be effective in reducing hot flashes. These herbs can be consumed in various forms, such as liquid, tablet, or even as a soothing tea. In fact, a simple brew of fresh sage leaves steeped in hot water has been shown to reduce hot flashes and sweating, while also calming the nervous system and improving memory function. Overall, these natural remedies offer a gentle and effective way to manage menopausal symptoms.
Lifestyle changes.
Finding the right balance of activity and rest during menopause can be tricky. If you have a busy lifestyle, you might need help carving out time and inspiration for relaxation, like trying yoga or meditation to support your hormones, mental health, and ease joint pain. For others, perimenopause could be the perfect time to do more, such as starting an exercise routine to prevent bone loss, support healthy weight, and protect your cardiovascular health.
Remember, these are just a few possibilities – the key is to identify your unique symptoms and situation to determine the best approach for you through functional medicine. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so stay open-minded and focus on what works best for your body and lifestyle.
FAQs.
What is menopause?
The ‘change of life’, also known as menopause, marks the end of a woman’s natural reproductive capacity. This transition is characterized by the final menstrual period, typically occurring between 45 and 55 years of age, with an average onset around 50. As ovarian function ceases during this time, women experience a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone levels.
How long does menopause last?
Perimenopause can last two to ten years, as ovarian function gradually declines until menopause occurs.
Up to 60 percent of women experience mild symptoms for four to eight years during the transition into menopause, while 20 percent will continue to live with severe symptoms well into their sixties, and another twenty percent may not notice any symptoms at all.
What age do women go through menopause?
Most women go through menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. However, around 8% of women experience premature menopause before they turn 45.
What happens during menopause?
The ovaries cease to release the reproductive hormones oestrogen and progesterone, with the potential to cause a range of symptoms such as:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Lightheaded feelings
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Depression
- Unloved feelings
- Anxiety
- Mood changes
- Sleeplessness
- Unusual tiredness
- Backache
- Joint pains
- Muscle pains
- New facial hair
- Dry skin
- Crawling feelings under the skin
- Less sexual feelings
- Vaginal dryness
- Uncomfortable intercourse
- Frequent urination