Overcoming Menopause Symptoms the Natural Way with Functional Medicine
Menopause is a fact of life, but for many women, the experience is anything but graceful. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and fatigue can make it feel like your body is working against you. While these symptoms are common, they don’t have to be something you live with.
Functional medicine offers an approach that looks at the whole picture of your lifestyle, nutrition, stress levels, health history, and more, to help you overcome the challenges that often come with menopause and thrive through it.
Why Menopause Happens
Simply, menopause occurs because the ovaries gradually stop producing estrogen and progesterone, the two primary hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. This drop in hormone levels is what triggers the symptoms most women associate with menopause, such as hot flashes, mood changes, and decreased bone density.
However, it’s not just the decline in estrogen and progesterone that’s the issue. The balance between these hormones and others, like cortisol and insulin, plays a significant role in how your body adapts to the changes of menopause. Imbalances in these areas can lead to weight gain, fatigue, chronic pain, and even cognitive issues like brain fog.
How Functional Medicine Views Menopause
In conventional medicine, the go-to treatment for menopause is often hormone replacement therapy (HRT). While HRT can be effective for some women, it doesn’t address the full spectrum of changes happening in the body. Functional medicine, on the other hand, takes a more comprehensive view.
Rather than focusing solely on hormone replacement, functional medicine practitioners, like Dr. Beth, look at how your lifestyle, diet, and stress levels are influencing your symptoms. For example, stress can play a significant role in exacerbating menopause symptoms. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which not only affects your mood but also disrupts other hormones, leading to weight gain, sleep disturbances, and more intense hot flashes.
Natural Ways to Support Your Body Through Menopause
The goal of functional medicine is to bring the body back into balance. Here are some ways functional medicine can support you through menopause:
Nutrition: Food plays a crucial role in balancing hormones. A diet rich in phytoestrogens—plant-based compounds that mimic estrogen in the body—can help ease the decline of estrogen. Foods like flaxseeds, soy, and legumes are great additions to a menopause-friendly diet. Additionally, focusing on nutrient-dense foods can support bone health, energy levels, and even your mood.
Exercise: Regular physical activity is essential during menopause, not just for managing weight but also for keeping bones strong and reducing stress. Weight-bearing exercises like walking or strength training help maintain bone density, while yoga and Pilates can improve flexibility and reduce stress.
Stress management: Menopause can be a stressful time, and chronic stress only worsens symptoms. Practices like meditation, acupuncture, or even spending time in nature can help lower cortisol levels and improve overall well-being.
Supplements and herbal support: Certain supplements, like magnesium and vitamin D, can help manage symptoms like sleep disturbances and mood swings. Herbal remedies, such as black cohosh and ashwagandha, may also help alleviate hot flashes and improve stress resilience.
Menopause is a time of great change in the body, but it doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world. While the symptoms can certainly be challenging, functional medicine offers a way to support your body naturally, allowing you to navigate this transition with more ease. By focusing on the root causes of your symptoms and addressing the unique needs of your body, we can help you maintain your energy, reduce discomfort, and actually enjoy this new phase of life. We offer both virtual services and in-person services in Wheat Ridge, CO. Schedule your consultation today to begin transforming your experience with menopause!
