As women move through perimenopause and menopause, one of the most common changes we see on lab work is a noticeable rise in cholesterol levels—sometimes for the first time in a woman’s life. This shift can feel surprising or concerning, but it’s actually a well-documented and physiologically understandable part of the menopausal transition.
As estrogen levels begin to fluctuate and drift downward in perimenopause, many women notice changes they didn’t expect—more irritation, new (or recurrent) yeast infections, increased discharge, or episodes of bacterial vaginosis (BV) that feel out of nowhere. These symptoms can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and often surprising, especially for women who never struggled with vaginal health before.
Bone health becomes a key focus during perimenopause and menopause, when declining estrogen levels can lead to bone loss and a higher risk of osteoporosis. Many women are now asking about vibration plates (also called whole-body vibration therapy) — do they really work?
With all the changes our bodies experience during the menopause transition, one issue raises more questions, frustrations, and self-doubt than almost any other: the new accumulation of fat around the midsection — often called belly fat.
Recently a popular media piece (e.g., in the The New York Times “Sunday Read”-style coverage) spotlighted women receiving testosterone pellets and portrayed it in very dramatic terms. Yes, there are real benefits of testosterone (T) for women — especially in the context of perimenopause/menopause — but the “miracle cure” narrative is misleading and may gloss over important risks and proper practice.
Too many women are still being denied hormone therapy, even in 2025. I hear heartbreaking stories all the time: women in their 40s and 50s with classic menopausal symptoms—hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia—turned away by their clinicians.
Have you been struggling with vague, persistent symptoms — brain fog, fatigue, sinus congestion, anxiety, dizziness, gut issues — and have been told, “Your labs are fine” or “It’s just stress”? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and it’s possible that mold exposure is part of the picture.
When we evaluate thyroid health at Tendwell, we often check for two types of thyroid antibodies: TPO (thyroid peroxidase) antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies. These markers help us assess whether the immune system is playing a role in thyroid dysfunction, often before symptoms even show up.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting many women, often marked by elevated androgens (like testosterone), irregular cycles, and symptoms such as hirsutism and infertility. While conventional treatments exist, many women seek natural options with fewer side effects—one of which may be as simple as sipping spearmint tea.
Many patients seek functional medicine to address hormone-related concerns. Unfortunately, in conventional medicine, it’s common for patients to hear, “We don’t test hormones in your age group,” especially if they…
In our functional medicine practice, we encounter a wide array of physical symptoms, but one of the most distressing for patients can be hair loss. Hair is often tied to personal identity and self-esteem, so losing it can deeply impact emotional well-being. In this blog we discuss a functional approach to treating hair loss.
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in certain foods, particularly meat and fish. It is also synthesized in the body from amino acids. Creatine plays a crucial role in the production of cellular energy—especially in muscles, by replenishing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier in the body. Creatine is one of the most well researched and effective supplements for enhancing physical performance, particularly for short bursts of high intensity effort.
In recent years, wearing a weighted vest has become quite popular especially in functional medicine circles. I actually just purchased a weighted vest myself to wear around the house and to wear while running and doing strength training at home. There are several options out there but a good rule of thumb is to begin with a weighted vest that is about 5-10% of your body weight and work up slowly. This may mean investing (pun intended!) in several weighted vests or purchasing a vest you can add weight to (usually in 2 lb increments). I have recommended weighted vests to many patients including my own father who is working to increase bone density and prevent bone loss. Wearing a weighted vest is an efficient way to increase gains, primarily in the realm of fitness and physical performance.
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.
A functional medicine approach to migraine management is increasingly favored. At Tendwell, we manage many patients’ migraines and have provided relief where many thought it was impossible. An integrative and functional approach may include identifying and avoiding triggers, making lifestyle modifications, stress management, and using medications that target the specific aspects of migraines for an individual. If you're experiencing migraines, make an appointment today to find out about a Tendwell membership.
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.
Thyroid dysfunction affects 1 in 7 people, most of whom are women. Development of a thyroid disorder can occur at many different moments in life but people often become aware of a thyroid issue when they are planning a pregnancy, actively pregnant, or experiencing a hormonal transition in perimenopause or menopause. Despite the prevalence of thyroid disorders, many primary care providers do not routinely screen for them. At Tendwell, we take a different more nuanced approach to thyroid assessment and treatment. In this functional medicine blog, I will discuss some of these approaches.
Depression and anxiety have many causes. These mental health issues can be thought of as analogous to pneumonia. Pneumonia can have many causes: viral, bacterial, fungal…each one in fact results in pneumonia but each one (viral pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia and fungal pneumonia) calls for different treatments based on its root cause. I think this way about depression and anxiety as well. There is no one size fits all approach. This is what a functional medicine approach is all about—rejecting the one-size-fits-all model and creating personalized medicine for each patient.
Liza Roeckl is an EMDR Therapist, Abdominal Therapy Practitioner, Advanced Pregnancy Massage Therapist, Spiritual Healer, Reiki Master, Energy Worker, Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed Creative Art Therapist, and Kundalini Pregnancy Yoga Teacher. She has run a New York-based healing practice for over twenty years. Liza specializes in helping people of all ages with fertility issues, postpartum care, painful menstrual cycles, digestive issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, sexual trauma, fibroids, and post-miscarriage care. Liza also works with LGBTQ clients on fertility concerns and overall health. Liza is a wonderful old soul with a joyful spirit. I am excited to bring this interview with her to you today.
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.