Perimenopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, typically beginning in her late 30s to early 40s, when the body starts transitioning toward menopause. This period can span several years and is marked by fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone—hormones that regulate everything from your mood and sleep to your metabolism and reproductive cycle.
While perimenopause is a normal part of aging, the symptoms it brings can often feel anything but normal. Many women experience irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, brain fog, and fatigue—often without realizing that these are signs of hormonal shifts. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for taking control of your health and preventing unnecessary discomfort or long-term complications like bone loss or thyroid dysfunction.
For women in Carlsbad, CA, finding effective and natural support for perimenopause doesn’t have to mean navigating the healthcare system alone. At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, located just minutes away in Encinitas, women receive personalized, holistic care rooted in science and compassion. Dr. Mark Stengler—nationally recognized naturopathic doctor and hormone expert—has helped thousands of women reclaim balance and vitality through safe, natural therapies that address the root cause of hormonal changes.
Dr. Stengler’s faith-informed, evidence-based approach is trusted by women throughout North County San Diego who want more than temporary symptom relief—they want to feel like themselves again. Whether you’re noticing subtle changes or struggling with daily challenges, now is the time to get the support your body needs to thrive during this transition.
Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, during which a woman’s hormone levels begin to shift and decline. This natural process can begin as early as the late 30s, but most women notice changes in their early to mid-40s. It is during this time that the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone, two hormones essential for reproductive health, mood regulation, and overall well-being.
These hormonal shifts don’t happen overnight. Instead, they can occur over several years—often without a clear starting point—making it difficult for women to realize they are in perimenopause.
It’s important to understand that perimenopause is not menopause. Perimenopause refers to the time when symptoms begin due to hormone fluctuations, but a woman is still menstruating—albeit irregularly. Menopause, on the other hand, is officially reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
Perimenopause is often the more symptom-heavy phase, making it critical to address these changes early with effective, personalized care. For women in Carlsbad and the surrounding areas, Dr. Mark Stengler offers a clear diagnosis and supportive treatment to ease this transition naturally and safely.
One of the first signs of perimenopause is a change in menstrual cycles. You might experience:
These shifts are due to inconsistent ovulation and declining progesterone.
Many women in this phase report sudden waves of heat, facial flushing, or profuse sweating—especially at night. These vasomotor symptoms are directly linked to estrogen imbalance and can severely disrupt sleep.
Hormonal fluctuations affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, often leading to:
These symptoms may be mistaken for general stress, but often have a hormonal root.
Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, or “mental cloudiness” can occur even in women who previously felt sharp and focused. This is commonly referred to as brain fog, and it's a well-documented effect of estrogen decline on cognitive function.
Interrupted sleep, trouble falling asleep, or waking too early are common complaints. These issues, combined with night sweats and hormonal anxiety, can result in chronic fatigue, even after a full night's rest.
Decreased estrogen can lead to:
Many women notice stubborn weight gain, especially around the abdomen, even without changes in diet or exercise. Hormonal shifts can also contribute to bloating and water retention, often mistaken for digestive issues.
BHRT is a natural approach to hormone replacement using compounds that are molecularly identical to the hormones your body naturally produces, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Unlike conventional hormone therapy, which often uses synthetic or animal-derived hormones, bioidentical hormones are plant-based and carefully compounded to match your unique hormonal profile.
BHRT works by restoring hormonal balance, relieving symptoms, and helping women regain energy, mood stability, and quality sleep—while also supporting long-term health.
Synthetic hormone replacement therapies (HRT) have been widely used for decades, but they often carry a higher risk of side effects and are not chemically identical to human hormones. In contrast, BHRT:
This makes BHRT a preferred option for many women who are seeking a more natural, personalized, and safer approach to hormone therapy.
Numerous studies support the safety and effectiveness of BHRT when prescribed and monitored by qualified practitioners. Benefits include:
Dr. Stengler follows evidence-based protocols and monitors patients closely through routine testing to ensure optimal dosing and safety.
Food is foundational to hormone health. Nutrient-dense meals rich in leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins can help stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and support hormone production.
Dr. Stengler may also recommend specific, high-quality supplements such as:
All supplement recommendations are based on individual lab results and clinical need.
Perimenopause often places extra strain on the adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing backup hormones when the ovaries slow down. Chronic stress only adds to this burden.
To restore balance, Dr. Stengler may incorporate:
These tools help women in Carlsbad regain emotional stability, energy, and resilience during hormonal changes.
The liver plays a key role in breaking down and removing excess hormones from the body. When liver detox pathways are sluggish, estrogen dominance and related symptoms (like weight gain, PMS, or breast tenderness) can worsen.
Natural liver-supportive therapies may include:
Detoxifying the liver helps ensure your hormones are processed and eliminated efficiently.
Your gut doesn’t just digest food—it also helps regulate hormones through the estrobolome, a collection of gut bacteria that influence estrogen metabolism. Poor gut health can lead to bloating, fatigue, mood swings, and even worsening hormonal imbalance.
We often recommend:
Improving gut health can reduce systemic inflammation and enhance hormone function naturally.
Many perimenopausal symptoms—like fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain—can also be signs of low thyroid function, which is frequently missed in conventional care. At the Stengler Center, we routinely evaluate thyroid health as part of our hormone panels.
Treatment may include:
Balancing the thyroid can have a profound effect on energy, metabolism, and mood—making it a crucial part of any perimenopause treatment plan.
If you're a woman in Carlsbad struggling with perimenopausal symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, hot flashes, or brain fog—you don’t have to go through it alone. At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, we provide personalized, compassionate care that targets the root of hormonal imbalances using natural, evidence-based therapies.
Whether you prefer to visit our welcoming clinic in nearby Encinitas or consult from the comfort of your home, we offer both in-person and virtual appointments tailored to your needs.
📞 Schedule your private consultation today by calling 760-274-2377 or visit 👉 www.markstengler.com/contact
You deserve to feel strong, clear, and balanced again—and we’re here to help you get there.
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