I often share that my patient base at Origins Health is full of beautiful, healthy, functional women. They make up a large segment of my practice, and I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on why this is. I am proud to say these women are among the most self-aware, proactive women I know, not because they come to see me, but because they are actively addressing their health and longevity through the best means available – holistic prevention.
As women pass through the phase of perimenopause, they undergo a kind of physiological and psychological death and rebirth—a transition that mirrors the layers of consciousness. It is a profound shift that offers a unique opportunity to gaze upon the whole of one’s experience from an entirely different perspective.
Inevitably, this new perspective brings an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things. It is often in this existential moment that women are drawn to a more holistic way of thinking, seeking natural ways to restore the balance that feels so important. The thinning of the veil drives the need to address ourselves with clarity, compassion, humor and self-awareness.
A Natural Transition, Not a Pathology
In modern medicine, perimenopause is often characterized as a pathology—a problem to be fixed with invasive surgeries or powerful pharmaceuticals. But after years of working with women, I see it differently.
Perimenopause (the 4–10 year transition before menopause) is a natural thinning of the veil of life. While it can be challenging, it is a biological stage that can be supported and balanced naturally. Modern life can add to the toxic burden of the body; not being nourished correctly, a fragmented mind that cannot find steadiness, all while living in an environment so out of touch with the rhythms of nature it’s no wonder there is deep suffering. We can find balance, safety and ease; but we we turn inward, toward our selves.
Why Your Blood Tests Might Not Tell the Whole Story
One of the most frustrating experiences for women is being told their symptoms are normal while they feel anything but. They get offered symptom suppression, not a genuine understanding, nor a long term plan.
During perimenopause, hormones fluctuate wildly. A blood test is just a snapshot—it doesn’t show the full movie. It also doesn’t accurately reflect how your tissues are actually using those hormones.
At Origins Health, we go deeper with our methods and our treatment plans. These methods allow us to see more details, giving us a larger view of your rhythms rather than just a single moment in time. We look into the whole story, not just the moment where our biomarkers are screaming. We help find flow to our hormone metabolism, where we allow release of excess hormones, and how we become true to ourselves, not just the snapshot of blood and hormone panels.
The Origins Toolkit: Supporting the Shift
Perimenopause brings a wide range of symptoms, each one a signal that the body is looking for a new rhythm. Here are some of the ways we support that shift:
1. Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
I view the physical hot flash as a biological attempt to activate estrogen synthesis in our fatty tissues. On a subtle level, I view the hot flash as spewing teapot that can’t contain the internal combustion of our minds and emotions left unresolved.
Holistic Support: Phytoestrogens like flax seed and sprouts, and cooling herbs like Shatavari, Black Cohosh, and Sage.
Lifestyle: Identifying and avoiding personal triggers like caffeine or spicy foods and suppressed emotions.
2. Sleep & Mood
Fluctuating hormones affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, leading to anxiety or “brain fog.” They also affect our ability to feel joy, find ease and allow movement of subtle energies. Sleep is the byproduct of flowing hormones.
Holistic Support: Magnesium, Reishi, and L-theanine to calm the nervous system.
Lifestyle: Prioritizing daily sunlight and exercise to boost daytime serotonin, which naturally supports restorative sleep at night. Learning to release the energy, the narrative, the need to fix.
3. Metabolic Health & Bone Density
As metabolism slows and muscle mass naturally begins to decline (sarcopenia), we must be proactive about our structural health.
Holistic Support: A diet rich in high-quality protein and collagen. Herbs like Shilajit and Ashwagandha support both metabolism and bone strength.
Lifestyle: Non-negotiable – Weight bearing and movement are essential. Signaling to your body that your frame needs to remain strong is one of the best things you can do for your longevity. Perimenopause is directly supported by metabolic stability.
4. Cognitive “Brain Fog”
Estrogen supports the synaptic functions of the brain. When it declines, you may feel less “sharp.”
Holistic Support: Rosemary, Bacopa, and Lion’s Mane are wonderful for clearing the fog.
Lifestyle: Nasya (traditional Ayurvedic nasal oil) is a beautiful practice for clearing the channels of the head and soothing the mind. Yoga Nidra opens the pathways of allowance.
Walking Through the Portal
Perimenopause is the end of one phase, but it is the beginning of another. It is the time when we move from the “doing” stage of life into a stage of deeper wisdom and perspective.
If you feel like you are “unraveling,” know that this is a natural part of the thinning veil. You aren’t malfunctioning; you are becoming a wise, more lucid self. At Origins Health, our goal is to help you navigate this portal with grace, using the tools of nature to find your way back to balance.
The threshold is here. Let’s make it a beautiful journey.
