Losing Your Sh*t During Menopause: A Functional Medicine Approach Instead of Divorce
Let’s be real—menopause and perimenopause can feel like nature’s cruel joke. One minute, you’re fine, and the next, you’re sweating through your clothes, rage-texting your husband about how he chews too loudly. The emotional rollercoaster is real, and many women in Saint Paul, MN, find themselves contemplating drastic life changes—like divorce—just to regain a sense of control. But what if the solution isn’t kicking your partner to the curb? What if the answer lies in functional medicine?
Why Menopause and Perimenopause Make You Feel Like You’re Losing It
Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes. It’s about a massive hormonal shift that can lead to mood swings, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and a deep desire to run away to a remote cabin with a stash of dark chocolate and wine. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop, affecting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Add in stress, blood sugar fluctuations, and poor gut health, and it’s no wonder you feel like you’re losing your mind.
Functional Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Menopause and Perimenopause in Saint Paul, MN
Instead of defaulting to the "burn-it-all-down" method, functional medicine offers a way to rebalance your body and mind. Here’s how:
1. Hormone Balancing
Functional medicine practitioners assess hormone levels through saliva, blood, or urine tests. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) or herbal adaptogens like maca root and ashwagandha can help stabilize your system.
2. Nutritional Support
Your body is screaming for nutrients. Focus on anti-inflammatory foods rich in omega-3s (salmon, flaxseeds), magnesium (leafy greens, nuts), and B vitamins (eggs, avocados) to support mood and energy levels. Cut out sugar and processed carbs that send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster ride of doom.
3. Gut Health and Detoxification
Your gut influences your mood, and an imbalance in gut bacteria can make menopause symptoms worse. Load up on probiotics (fermented foods, quality supplements) and support liver detoxification with cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
4. Stress Reduction and Nervous System Support
Menopause puts your nervous system into overdrive. Techniques like Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM), acupuncture, and deep breathing exercises help reset your vagus nerve and calm the fight-or-flight response.
5. Exercise for Mental Stability
High-intensity workouts might be too much, but strength training, yoga, and walking can reduce stress hormones and boost endorphins. Movement is medicine.
6. Sleep Optimization
If you’re waking up at 3 AM plotting your partner’s demise, it’s time to fix your sleep. Magnesium glycinate, nighttime herbal teas, and limiting screens before bed can help you stay sane.
Save Your Marriage (and Yourself) with Functional Medicine
Before you throw in the towel on your relationship, give yourself grace. Menopause is a transformational phase, not a life sentence. With the right support, you can regain your balance, reclaim your sanity, and maybe even find your partner’s chewing habits tolerable again.
Functional medicine doesn’t just patch symptoms—it helps you heal at the root cause. So instead of hiring a divorce lawyer, consider hiring a functional medicine practitioner. Your future self (and possibly your spouse) will thank you.
At O'Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic in Saint Paul, MN, we specialize in helping women navigate menopause and perimenopause with a comprehensive, functional medicine approach. Dr. Shannon O'Keefe, an expert in Functional Medicine and Internal Diagnosis, works alongside our team to get to the root of your symptoms and restore balance to your life. Contact us today to start your journey toward better health and a happier you.
