Mastering Menopause with Grace & Ease

Are fatigue, mood changes, and sleep disturbances dragging you down?

Do you suspect you have hit perimenopause?

Did you know that currently 60 million American women are in the midst of menopause?

For many women and men, menopause is a big mystery.  Many medical providers receive limited training about menopause, and this leaves a lot of women without much guidance from their primary care practitioner.  On top of that, I have now had several men share with me they wish they had more resources about menopause and what to expect during their partner’s transition and how to be more supportive.  Some women might even feel embarrassed by menopause and try to tough it out privately without reaching out to friends or family for support.  Unfortunately, going through menopause in isolation can make a rocky transition even more difficult.  When women consult me during perimenopause, they find it very empowering to learn which hormones are out of balance.  They also find it very comforting to know their experiences are common or typical.  Menopausal symptoms can be difficult to embrace, especially given historical cultural stereotypes.  I encourage my patients to challenge the destructive myths about inevitable decline.  Many women find freedom when their cycles end and their hormones shift.

Within the past year a woman named Shari (age 46) established care with me.  Her biggest concern was disrupted sleep.  It all started one night when she insisted that the furnace was broken and asked her husband to go down in the basement to check it; he reassured her that it was in complete working order.  Shari was struggling with both staying asleep and waking up way too early, sometimes because she was hot or sweaty (even in winter in the arctic tundra known as northern MN), but not always.  In addition, she had noticed that she was moodier and more temperamental; some days she was down in the dumps and other days she felt restless and fidgety.  On top of that she just felt worn out, even if she did get a good night of sleep.  After her initial intake, I ordered some lab work which we reviewed at her second appointment and came up with a thorough plan.  She scheduled some health coaching sessions with Jaclyn to implement my treatment recommendations.  When I messaged her 3 weeks later, she reported she was feeling at least 75% better, like she was 20 again.  At her next appointment several months later, her sleep had been restored, her mood was stable, and she had plenty of energy for work, home responsibilities, family, and friends.

What are the most common perimenopause symptoms?

·        Weight gain

·        Insomnia

·        Hot flashes

·        Anxiety

·        Mood swings

·        Memory loss

·        Low libido

·        Vaginal dryness

·        Irregular and/or heavy periods

What are some steps that Shari implemented to balance her hormones during perimenopause?

·        Exercise

·        Sleep hygiene

·        Focus on diet & gut health (focus on fiber and ferments)

·        Limit caffeine & alcohol

·        Cultivate a social circle by talking to friends

No matter where you are on your hormonal trajectory, it’s valuable to have reliable information about menopause so you don’t have to experience this transition unsupported.  Many of my patients also find relief with specific herbal or supplement recommendations based upon their symptoms and lab findings.  Please reach out to me today if you would like an individualized care plan to support you during this transition.

Rachel Oppitz, ND

P.S.  One of my favorite supplement go-to’s for women struggling with hot flashes and/or night sweats is Women’s Phase II by Vitanica.  I have been recommending this formula since 2004 with good success.  Typical dosage is 3 caps twice daily.   Please contact us if you would like to give it a try!

 Rachel Oppitz, ND