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Dr. Christine Maren, functional medicine physician

Functional Medicine & Hormone Optimization

Perimenopause & Menopause

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Dr. Christine Maren, functional medicine physician

What is perimenopause & menopause care?Dr. Christine Maren

Perimenopause is the transition before menopause, often starting in your late 30s or 40s, when estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate. Dr. Christine Maren, a board-certified physician and certified menopause provider, treats perimenopause and menopause by testing your hormones, thyroid, gut and metabolic health together, then building a personalized plan that can include bioidentical hormone therapy, nutrition and targeted supplements.

Conventional care often treats midlife symptoms one at a time, or not at all. Our physician-led practice combines the ability to prescribe with a functional medicine lens, so hot flashes, sleep, mood, weight and energy are addressed as one connected picture.

What are the signs of perimenopause?

  • Irregular, heavier or closer-together periods
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Anxiety, irritability or low mood
  • Brain fog and forgetfulness
  • Weight gain around the middle
  • Low libido and vaginal dryness
  • Joint aches and new fatigue

Recognize yourself here? These symptoms are common, but they are not something you simply have to live with.

How does Dr. Maren treat perimenopause and menopause?

  1. Listen to your full story

    Your symptoms, cycle history, family history and goals shape every decision. Many women arrive after being told their labs are normal.

  2. Test beyond the basics

    We look at sex hormones alongside thyroid, insulin and blood sugar, iron, nutrients, inflammation and gut health, since all of them shift in midlife.

  3. Personalize your treatment

    Options include bioidentical estrogen, progesterone and testosterone when appropriate, vaginal estrogen, nutrition, strength and sleep strategies, and targeted supplements.

  4. Adjust with steady support

    Hormones keep changing through the transition, so we recheck, refine and stay with you instead of handing you a one-time prescription.

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Perimenopause & Menopause FAQs

At what age does perimenopause start?

Perimenopause most often begins in a woman's 40s, though symptoms can start in the late 30s. It lasts an average of four to eight years and ends at menopause, defined as 12 months in a row without a period, usually around age 51.

Is there a blood test for perimenopause?

No single blood test confirms perimenopause, because hormones fluctuate day to day. Dr. Maren uses your symptoms and cycle history alongside hormone, thyroid and metabolic labs to understand what is driving how you feel and to rule out look-alike conditions.

How do I know if it is perimenopause or my thyroid?

Fatigue, weight gain, brain fog and mood changes overlap heavily between perimenopause and hypothyroidism, and both become more common in midlife. A full thyroid panel, including antibodies, alongside hormone testing is the clearest way to tell them apart.

Can perimenopause cause anxiety and insomnia?

Yes. Falling progesterone and swinging estrogen affect calming brain chemistry and sleep, so new anxiety, irritability and waking at night are common early signs, even while periods are still regular.

What is the best treatment for perimenopause symptoms?

The best treatment depends on your symptoms, health history and goals. For many women it combines hormone therapy, such as bioidentical progesterone and estrogen, with nutrition, strength training, sleep support and care for gut and thyroid health.

Do you offer perimenopause care via telehealth?

Yes. Dr. Christine Maren's practice sees patients virtually in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan and Texas. Start with a short application so the team can confirm the practice is the right fit.

The path to vibrant health starts here

We see patients virtually in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan and Texas. Start with a brief application so we can understand your goals.

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