I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Jane Hogan on her podcast, Wellness by Design, where we explored the hidden truths about hormone health, integrative medicine, and the transformative power of functional wellness. We uncovered insights that go beyond the usual advice—practical strategies that help women not just survive, but reclaim their energy, clarity, and zest for life. You won’t want to miss the surprising revelations we uncovered!

🌿Ready to uncover what your body is trying to tell you? Book a Discovery Call today and start your journey to balanced hormones and vibrant health.

Why Testing Matters

One of the biggest differences between traditional and functional medicine is testing. When it comes to hormones, it’s not enough to check a single snapshot in time. For example, cortisol, your stress hormone, fluctuates throughout the day. Testing it four times—morning, lunch, dinner, and bedtime—gives a real picture of how your body functions. Without this, symptoms like feeling exhausted all day but “wired” at night can be misdiagnosed or misunderstood.

Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and even cortisol all interplay with your energy, sleep, mood, and overall health. Testing lets us see where imbalances truly lie and personalize treatment.

Functional Medicine vs. Conventional Approach

In traditional medicine, women in perimenopause or menopause often get prescribed birth control, antidepressants, or sleeping pills. Hormone replacement therapy may be offered without much personalization—usually oral hormones that carry higher risks of side effects like blood clots or heart issues.

In my practice, we do things differently:

• Bioidentical, topical hormone replacement tailored to your actual levels.
• Comprehensive testing before and after treatment to ensure safety and effectiveness.
• Addressing root causes, including adrenal health, thyroid function, inflammation, and lifestyle factors.

The result? Women don’t just feel “less bad.” They regain their vitality, sleep better, reduce anxiety, and even see improvements in chronic conditions like pain or high cholesterol.

💡 Curious about what’s really happening beneath the surface? Schedule your Discovery Call now, and let’s uncover the root causes of your health challenges together.

Hormones, Chronic Conditions, and Inflammation

Many women with chronic pain, like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, notice worsening symptoms as they approach menopause. Why? Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are naturally anti-inflammatory. When they decline, inflammation rises, sometimes triggering pain, cardiovascular issues, or even cognitive decline.

One fascinating connection we discuss is estrogen and nitric oxide. Estrogen helps your body produce nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and improves circulation. As estrogen declines, nitric oxide production drops, potentially increasing blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. Hormones, inflammation, and heart health are all intertwined—something rarely discussed in conventional care.

Lifestyle as Medicine

While testing and targeted hormone therapy are key, lifestyle changes are incredibly powerful. Here’s what I emphasize for my patients:

• Food as fuel: Focus on real, whole foods. Vegetables and colorful produce help you “glow,” protein helps you “grow,” and minimize processed carbs and sugars that “slow” you down. Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts are essential.
• Conscious daily movement: Exercise doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Short, frequent movements throughout the day often beat sporadic, intense workouts. Even a 10-minute walk or a quick nitric oxide-boosting routine outside can improve circulation, hormone balance, and energy.
• Stress management: Adrenal health is critical. Addressing both internal and external stressors helps balance cortisol and, in turn, supports sleep, mood, and hormonal harmony.

Prevention and Cognitive Health

Declining hormones also impact brain health. Many women notice brain fog or memory lapses during perimenopause and menopause. Hormones influence serotonin production, neuron signaling, and even plaque formation in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s. Early hormone support paired with lifestyle adjustments can protect cognition and prevent decline later in life.

If you’ve been told your symptoms are “normal,” don’t accept that as your reality. Functional medicine offers a personalized, integrative approach that targets root causes rather than masking symptoms. Through testing, bioidentical hormone replacement, lifestyle optimization, and stress management, you can regain your vitality and truly thrive—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

If you’re ready to feel like yourself again, it’s time to take that first step. Your life doesn’t have to slow down with age—let’s make it vibrant, energized, and full of clarity.

✨ Take the first step toward feeling like yourself again—schedule a Discovery Call and explore a personalized path to wellness from the inside out.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own physician or healthcare provider.