If you’re navigating the wild and woolly world of perimenopause or menopause, first of all, welcome. You're not alone, and you’re definitely not broken. You're living through a profound physiological memoir—one that’s been authored monthly for decades by your hormones, your choices, your metabolism, and yes, even your emotions. And here’s the thing: menopause isn’t the betrayal of your body. It’s a culmination. A story. A reckoning, maybe. But it’s also an invitation.
Let’s talk about that.
A Lifetime of Cycles, A Midlife Reflection
We often talk about menopause like it’s this sudden, dramatic stop—the end of fertility, the start of symptoms. But in truth, it’s more like the season finale of a very long-running show. Your monthly cycles have been lining up, stacking up, leaving behind a trail of biological breadcrumbs.
How you slept, how you nourished yourself (or didn’t), the years of high stress or high carbs or high cortisol... they all matter. Every cycle was an opportunity—or a challenge—for your hormones to find harmony. So when menopause hits and things feel off, it’s not “just your age” or “just bad luck.” It’s data. Your body is trying to tell you something, and believe it or not, she’s been telling you all along.
The Metabolism-Hormone Connection No One Talks About
Let’s take a detour into your metabolism for a minute. Most people think metabolism is just about weight or how fast your jeans get tight (and let’s be honest, those jeans are having a real moment in perimenopause). But metabolism is the undercurrent of hormone function. It’s your hormonal operating system.
When we talk about insulin and cortisol, we’re talking about metabolic hormones that have a direct line to your reproductive ones. Insulin isn’t just the “blood sugar hormone”—it also influences how your ovaries produce estrogen and testosterone. And cortisol? Well, she’s a bit of a drama queen. Chronic stress ramps up cortisol, and that disrupts the delicate dance of estrogen and progesterone.
So if your blood sugar’s been on a rollercoaster for decades, if stress has been your constant background noise, or if you've lived in fight-or-flight mode for years (hi, modern life), it makes sense that menopause might feel like it’s hitting harder than it should.
Modern Tools, Ancient Wisdom
Let’s get practical. Because knowledge is power—but action is liberation.
We now have options, and some of them live at the intersection of conventional and integrative medicine. Enter: GLP-1 receptor agonists. Medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide aren’t just for diabetes or weight management. They actually help recalibrate metabolic signaling, which can support hormonal balance in menopause. Not everyone needs them, but for some women, they’re game changers. And it’s okay to need help.
That said, they’re not the only tools in the box.
Let’s talk about Berberine, a powerful plant-based compound that acts a bit like metformin—helping your cells become more insulin sensitive, which supports everything from blood sugar regulation to ovulation to energy.
Then there’s resistant starch. This isn’t a sexy name, but trust me, it’s potent. These starches (found in green bananas, cooked-and-cooled potatoes, and legumes) feed your gut bacteria, stabilize your blood sugar, and lower inflammation. That’s right—what you eat feeds your hormones just as much as it feeds your hunger.
And of course, exercise. No, you don’t need to become a marathon runner. But strength training is your new best friend. It builds muscle (which supports metabolism), improves insulin sensitivity, and can even support better sleep. Pair it with walking, which lowers cortisol, improves mood, and supports lymphatic flow.
Finally—don’t sleep on emotional processing. Your hormones are listening to your nervous system. They’re tuned into your past traumas, your current stress, and whether or not you give yourself permission to rest. Emotional healing isn’t fluff. It’s endocrine therapy.
Your Body Is Not a Problem to Fix
This is where I get a little tender.
We’ve been sold this idea that menopause is something to battle. That it’s a problem to fix. That our bodies are turning on us.
But what if that’s not true?
What if menopause is simply your body’s most honest, unfiltered feedback? What if it’s the moment your soul, your soma, and your spirit all raise their hands and say, “Hey, let’s finally get this right”?
In my practice, and in my own life, I’ve learned that menopause is not a punishment. It’s a portal. A chance to tune back in. To ask better questions. To heal what’s been lingering for years, waiting patiently for you to slow down and listen.
Let’s Rewrite the Narrative
Menopause doesn’t mean it’s too late.
It means it’s finally time.
Time to nourish your metabolism, honor your stress patterns, feed your gut, move your beautiful body, and cry the tears you’ve been holding back since you were 13.
Time to be curious instead of critical.
Time to give yourself permission to not just survive this phase—but thrive in it.
You’re not at the end of something. You’re standing on sacred ground. This is where the story turns. And I promise, it can be beautiful.
So go ahead. Light the candle. Take the walk. Eat the lentils. Feel the feelings. Support the hormones. You’re not alone—and your body is not confused.
She’s just finally telling the truth.
If this blog makes sense to you, and you are ready to dig in for better health, root causes and transformational care. Click here to schedule a new patient strategy session and see how our practice may be supportive for you.
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Be well,
Dr. Louder