Recently, I spoke with a woman who was looking for a new hormone-savvy provider. As we began talking, I couldn’t help but notice her voice—low, gravelly, with a sort of sexy smoker’s rasp. But as she shared more of her hormone history, I began to suspect there was something else going on: unintentional vocal deepening, likely due to testosterone pellets.
The world of hormones can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just beginning your journey into perimenopause or early menopause. With so much information—and misinformation—available online, it’s easy to feel lost in a sea of opinions.
At Tendwell, our Institute for Functional Medicine Certified practitioners take a root-cause, personalized approach. We also blend in Integrative medicine. You may be wondering what the differences are between the two approaches. While they are very similar, there are some differences. Taking as a case study, the general approach that might be taken to address perimenopause, this blog explains the similarities and differences in the two approaches.
Abdominal adiposity. Apple bodies. My best friend was just lamenting to me about what she was calling her “meno-belly”. Another friend told me that she was going to “throw up” if she heard the term “visceral fat” again. Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, refers to the fat that accumulates around the abdomen and internal organs. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is found just beneath the skin, visceral fat is deeper within the abdominal cavity and surrounds vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Excess visceral fat has been linked to an increased risk of various health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.
Overall, joint pain during perimenopause and menopause is multifactorial, with hormonal changes, changes in connective tissue, lifestyle factors, and underlying health conditions all playing a role. If you're experiencing significant joint pain or discomfort during perimenopause or menopause, it's essential to consult with a functional medicine healthcare professional for evaluation and management. They can help determine the underlying cause of your joint pain and recommend appropriate treatment options—a well-rounded approach that doesn’t leave you with an empty diagnosis and no realistic way through to better health.
Most of us in the functional medicine field are aware of the pop culture status of mushrooms. Various blends of mushroom “coffee” pop up in my Instagram feed all the time. Mudwatr—have it. Om—seen it. ClevrBlends—Chai is delicious but the Sleeptime is disgusting, IMHO. I recently decided that instead of a food-based blend, I would focus on taking Lion’s Mane at a daily therapeutic dose. This would be at least 100 mg a day. Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has gained attention for its potential cognitive benefits, including memory enhancement. In perimenopause and menopause, hormonal changes can affect memory and cognitive function (think: word recall or word finding or just feeling less sharp), Lion's Mane may offer some support.
At our functional medicine practice, we specialize in perimenopause and migraines. With respect to migraines, we offer a more effective root-cause approach than in traditional medical practices. For many, the instinctive response to a migraine, involves reaching for medications like Ibuprofen or prescription pain medications. However, the regular use of such medications (two or more times a week) can pose risks to the stomach and intestines, as highlighted by recent FDA warnings citing an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Clearly, something else is needed. At Tendwell, we offer an individualized plan to tackle the causes of migraines and to help women navigate the perimenopausal period.
At Tendwell, we have many patients who are entering menopause. Recent advances in hormone therapies for menopause (“Menopausal Hormone Therapy”, “MH”, or “MHT”), also known as hormone replacement therapy (“HRT”), make it a great compliment to holistic and integrative approaches for women experiencing menopause. The decision to start MHT should be made in consultation with your Tendwell healthcare provider based on a thorough assessment of your individual health, medical history, and symptoms.
While natural, perimenopause is a period of time characterized by fluctuating hormone levels. Many women experience unpleasant symptoms as their bodies are going through these changes. Some common symptoms are: mood swings, increased irritability and rage, tearfulness, hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, memory issues, word searching, vaginal dryness, skin complaints, joint aches and pains, fatigue, weight gain (especially around the middle), decreased libido, heavy bleeding and missed periods. These symptoms are unpleasant and unwanted to say the least.
Vitex, also known as chasteberry or Vitex agnus-castus, is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to address various women's health issues. It's particularly popular for its effects on hormonal balance and menstrual cycle regulation—specifically to lift progesterone levels.
In our Denver functional medicine practice, we frequently treat members who are experiencing symptoms of menopause. Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life that can be characterized by a range of physical and psychological symptoms that may significantly impact the quality of life. While hormonal therapies and pharmaceutical interventions are commonly prescribed, there is growing interest in exploring natural methods for reducing menopausal symptoms either with bioidentical hormone therapy or alone. This article reviews the current literature on the efficacy of natural approaches, including herbal remedies, lifestyle modifications, and mind-body practices, in alleviating menopausal symptoms.