Perimenopause.
The decade before menopause is where many of the symptoms show up. Most patients arrive without anyone having named what's happening.
It's not "just getting older."
Perimenopause can start in your late 30s or 40s and last 4-10 years. It's the time when hormones become more variable as ovarian function shifts. Cycles change, sleep changes, mood changes, and many symptoms get dismissed as stress or aging.
Identifying perimenopause early gives us more options. Naturopathic care can address symptoms with diet, lifestyle, targeted supplementation, and hormone support before things escalate.
How patients describe it.
- Sleep disruption, especially waking at 2-4am
- Irritability and mood swings
- Cycle changes (shorter, longer, heavier, lighter)
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Brain fog and memory shifts
- Weight gain, especially around the middle
Many women know something has changed long before they know it's perimenopause. Recognizing it early gives us more opportunities to support your hormones and improve how you feel. Dr. Abbie Siudzinski, ND
How we work through it.
DUTCH panels are particularly useful in perimenopause because they show how hormones move through metabolism, not just where they sit on one day.
From there, the plan supports the systems most affected: sleep, mood, blood sugar, bone density, and stress physiology.
In Dr. Abbie's experience, many patients begin noticing changes within 6 to 8 weeks once the right pieces are addressed. Results vary.
Tests we typically use here.
The specific panels depend on your situation. These are the most common ones for perimenopause.
Testing is ordered only after your 90-minute first visit, and always with a clear purpose.
See all testing options →- DUTCH hormone panels
- Salivary cortisol
- Comprehensive thyroid panel
- Fasting insulin and HbA1c
- Vitamin D and B12
- Inflammatory markers
Before you book.
- Insurance? Foundations is private pay. HSA and FSA are accepted, and superbills are available on request. See pricing.
- What is the first visit? 90 minutes, in person at Knewtson Health Group in Excelsior. Any testing comes after that visit, with the cost reviewed first.
- Coming from farther away? Only the first visit has to be in person. Follow-ups can be in person or virtual, whichever works for you.
Start with a free 15-minute call.
If this sounds like what you're navigating, the 15-minute call is the right place to start.