Perimenopause is the natural but often challenging transition leading up to menopause, typically beginning between the ages of 35 and 50. During this time, hormonal changes—especially in estrogen and progesterone—can trigger a wide range of symptoms, including irregular periods, mood swings, fatigue, hot flashes, and more.
While these changes are part of the aging process, they don’t have to disrupt your quality of life. Recognizing symptoms early and choosing the right course of care can make a dramatic difference in how you feel day to day—and in your long-term wellness.
At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, we specialize in helping women in La Mesa and surrounding areas navigate perimenopause naturally and effectively. Dr. Mark Stengler, a board-certified Naturopathic Medical Doctor, is a nationally respected leader in integrative women’s health. With a care model rooted in clinical excellence, natural therapies, and faith-based compassion, he offers individualized support to help women regain hormonal balance, energy, and emotional peace.
Whether you’re in the early stages of hormonal change or have been experiencing symptoms for years, Dr. Stengler provides solutions tailored to your body—not just one-size-fits-all symptom relief.
As estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, menstrual patterns often become unpredictable. You may experience:
These changes can be early signs of perimenopause and often respond well to integrative hormone balancing.
Sudden waves of heat, flushing, and sweating—especially at night—can interfere with sleep and daily functioning. These are triggered by the body’s temperature regulation system reacting to dropping estrogen levels.
Hormonal changes can disrupt neurotransmitter activity in the brain, leading to:
Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue are all common. These symptoms can feel especially alarming for busy professionals or caretakers and may be tied to estrogen, cortisol, or thyroid imbalance.
Whether caused by night sweats, insomnia, or adrenal fatigue, disrupted sleep is a major issue during perimenopause. Without deep, restorative rest, energy levels plummet and overall well-being suffers.
Declining estrogen affects the vaginal lining, leading to discomfort, dryness, and reduced sexual desire. These issues are common but very responsive to natural hormone therapies and lifestyle support.
Hormonal fluctuations can slow metabolism, increase fat storage (especially around the abdomen), and cause fluid retention. This isn’t just about appearance—it’s often a sign of deeper metabolic and hormonal imbalance.
For women in La Mesa seeking relief from perimenopausal symptoms, conventional medicine often offers limited solutions—typically prescription drugs or synthetic hormones that manage symptoms without addressing the root cause. That’s why more and more women are turning to integrative medicine, which blends the best of modern science with natural, holistic approaches to healing.
At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, we focus on restoring balance, not just suppressing symptoms. Our approach empowers women to thrive during perimenopause and beyond.
Integrative medicine draws on both time-tested natural therapies and evidence-based conventional treatments. This allows Dr. Stengler to:
Whether you need bioidentical hormone therapy, nutritional support, or advanced lab work, your care plan is built around your needs—not a standard protocol.
Dr. Mark Stengler’s care philosophy integrates medical excellence with Christian values of compassion, integrity, and hope. He takes time to listen, pray with patients when requested, and considers spiritual health a vital part of whole-body healing.
Women appreciate this faith-centered environment, where they’re seen as individuals—not just a list of symptoms.
Rather than guessing or masking symptoms, Dr. Stengler uses comprehensive lab testing to evaluate:
This information allows him to create a truly individualized treatment plan designed to correct imbalances at their source.
Dr. Stengler’s goal is not just symptom relief—it’s lasting vitality. That means addressing diet, stress, sleep, detoxification, and spiritual well-being alongside hormone balance.
This whole-person strategy allows La Mesa women to experience:
For women in La Mesa experiencing the disruptive effects of perimenopause, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) offers a safe and effective option to restore hormonal harmony—naturally. When prescribed by an experienced integrative physician, BHRT can relieve symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, and brain fog while supporting long-term health.
BHRT uses hormones that are molecularly identical to the ones your body produces, typically estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone. Derived from plant sources like yams or soy, these hormones are custom-compounded to match your unique hormonal profile.
For perimenopausal women, BHRT can:
Unlike synthetic hormone therapies, which are mass-produced and often carry higher risks, bioidentical hormones are customized for each patient and tend to be better tolerated by the body. Key distinctions include:
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that BHRT is safe and effective when monitored by a qualified medical provider. In fact, BHRT may offer lower risk profiles than traditional hormone replacement therapies, especially in regard to cardiovascular health and breast cancer risk, when appropriately dosed and regularly reviewed.
At the Stengler Center, BHRT is always prescribed based on:
Your diet plays a powerful role in hormone production and detoxification. Dr. Stengler provides personalized nutrition plans designed to:
Common supplements may include:
Chronic stress during perimenopause can weaken adrenal function, leading to imbalances in cortisol and DHEA—two hormones that affect energy, sleep, and emotional resilience.
Dr. Stengler incorporates adaptogenic herbs such as:
These gentle, natural supports work synergistically with BHRT or as standalone therapy in early perimenopause.
The liver plays a central role in metabolizing and clearing excess hormones—especially estrogen. A sluggish liver can lead to estrogen dominance, which worsens symptoms like bloating, mood swings, and weight gain.
To support liver detox pathways, we may recommend:
The gut microbiome contains a special group of bacteria—known as the estrobolome—that influences how estrogen is broken down and eliminated. Imbalances here can cause estrogen to recirculate improperly, aggravating hormonal symptoms.
Dr. Stengler supports gut health through:
Many women with perimenopausal symptoms also experience subclinical thyroid dysfunction, which can mimic or worsen hormonal imbalances. Symptoms may include:
Dr. Stengler conducts comprehensive thyroid testing (beyond standard TSH labs) and addresses imbalances with natural thyroid support, iodine, selenium, and—in some cases—prescription thyroid medication.
If you’re a woman in La Mesa experiencing the frustrating, exhausting, or confusing symptoms of perimenopause—know that help is available, and healing is possible. You don’t have to settle for feeling “off” or being told it’s “just your age.”
At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, Dr. Mark Stengler provides compassionate, science-based care that addresses the root causes of hormonal imbalance. Whether you’re dealing with fatigue, mood changes, weight gain, or hot flashes, Dr. Stengler can help you regain clarity, energy, and peace of mind.
📞 Call us today at 760-274-2377 🌐 Or request a consultation online
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