Table of Contents
- What is Perimenopause?
- Beyond “Normal”: Recognizing the Signs
- The Root Cause Approach: A Functional Medicine Perspective
- How Optimal Body & Health Can Help: Our Personalized Protocols
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause, meaning “around menopause,” is the natural biological transition leading up to menopause—the point when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. This phase, which can begin as early as your mid-30s or as late as your 50s, typically lasts four to eight years. It is a time of significant hormonal fluctuation as your ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone. Unlike menopause, which is a single point in time, perimenopause is an extended process where your body is preparing for a new chapter.
Many women find this period confusing and frustrating. They may experience a wide array of symptoms but are often told by conventional medicine that their lab results are “normal” or that they simply have to endure it. At Optimal Body & Health in Mount Vernon and Mansfield, Ohio, we know this is not the full story. We understand that while perimenopause is a natural life stage, it doesn’t have to be defined by suffering. Our mission is to help you move from “just managing symptoms” to truly understanding and supporting your body through this change, so you can reclaim your vitality.
Beyond “Normal”: Recognizing the Signs
Perimenopause symptoms are far more varied than just hot flashes and irregular periods. They can affect nearly every system in your body, often mimicking other conditions, which is why many women feel dismissed or lost. If you’ve been battling symptoms that “just won’t go away, no matter what you do,” you may be in perimenopause.
Here are common signs we see at our practice:
- Hormonal & Physical Shifts: This includes the classic hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular periods. But it also encompasses weight gain (especially around the midsection), low libido, joint aches, and new-onset headaches.
- Mood & Cognitive Changes: This is where many women feel they’re losing themselves. Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings are not “all in your head”—they are common neuroendocrine symptoms of fluctuating hormones.
- Energy & Lifestyle Impact: A deep, unshakable fatigue is rampant. This isn’t just tiredness; it’s a feeling of being “completely burned out, running on fumes before the day has even begun.” It often leads to a loss of motivation and the feeling that life has become “a checklist of obligations, not an adventure to be savored.”
If these experiences sound familiar, it is a sign that your body is asking for more targeted support. You are not broken; you are in transition.
The Root Cause Approach: A Functional Medicine Perspective
At Optimal Body & Health, our philosophy, led by Cindy Viers, DNP, APRN, CNP, is fundamentally different. We practice functional medicine, which means we look at your body as an interconnected whole. We don’t just label your symptoms as “perimenopause” and offer a generic treatment. We dig deeper to ask why your body is experiencing this transition so disruptively.
Our approach is designed to identify and treat the root cause of your symptoms — not just the surface. We understand that perimenopause can unmask underlying imbalances that have been present for years. For example:
- Is chronic stress depleting your adrenal glands, making hormonal shifts more severe?
- Could gut health issues be impairing your body’s ability to metabolize and eliminate hormones properly?
- Is your thyroid function suboptimal, compounding fatigue and weight gain?
Cindy’s 25 years of clinical experience and dedication to science-based treatments mean she connects these dots. Through comprehensive consultations and, when necessary, advanced testing, we look beyond standard lab ranges to find the unique biochemical imbalances affecting you. This allows us to create a plan that doesn’t just suppress symptoms but helps your entire system find a new, healthy equilibrium.
How Optimal Body & Health Can Help: Our Personalized Protocols
We provide a clear, step-by-step, and scientifically-backed plan designed to do what others have not. Your journey with us is a partnership. Here’s what you can expect from our personalized approach to perimenopause care:
1. Expert Hormone Optimization with BHRT
Cindy Viers is an expert in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Unlike synthetic hormones, bio-identical hormones are chemically identical to those your body produces. Cindy skillfully utilizes BHRT to gently and effectively balance estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels. This can provide profound relief from hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and low libido, restoring energy, sleep, and vitality.
2. Holistic Functional Medicine Strategies
Our care extends beyond hormones. We provide functional based solutions that support your entire body:
- Medical Weight Management: We address perimenopausal weight gain with a sophisticated, metabolic approach focused on sustainable fat loss and improving body composition, not just dieting.
- Thyroid Management: We thoroughly assess thyroid function, a critical piece of the energy and metabolism puzzle often overlooked.
- Nutrition & Lifestyle Planning: We work one-on-one with you to develop a program that fits your individual lifestyle, using food as medicine to support hormonal balance and reduce inflammation.
3. Cutting-Edge Support with Peptide Therapy
Cindy stays at the forefront of medical science by incorporating cutting-edge peptide protocols. Specific peptides can support cellular repair, improve sleep quality, enhance cognitive function (“brain fog”), and aid in healthy fat metabolism, providing a powerful adjunct to your core treatment plan.
Your Partner in Health
From your first visit at our Mount Vernon or Mansfield office, you will experience patient-centered care. Cindy takes the time to truly listen, understand your history and goals, and craft a fully personalized roadmap. You will find a partner who educates and supports you without judgment, guiding you every step of the way to becoming the greatest version of yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}
What’s the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
Menopause is a single point in time, defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Perimenopause (“around menopause”) is the multi-year transitional phase leading up to that point. This is when hormone levels fluctuate and most symptoms occur. Postmenopause refers to the years after menopause has occurred.
I’m in my late 30s/early 40s with symptoms. Could it be perimenopause?
Absolutely. While the average age for menopause is 51, perimenopause can commonly begin in a woman’s 40s, and sometimes even in her mid-to-late 30s. If you are experiencing new, unexplained changes in your cycle, mood, energy, or weight, it is worth discussing with a provider who specializes in hormonal health.
My doctor says my hormone levels are “normal.” Why do I still feel so bad?
This is one of the most common frustrations we hear. Conventional lab ranges are often very broad, designed to detect disease, not optimal function. A level that is technically “normal” for a population may not be optimal for you. Cindy interprets labs through a functional medicine lens, looking for subtle imbalances and patterns that explain your symptoms. We treat the patient, not just the lab number.
Are bio-identical hormones (BHRT) safe?
When prescribed and monitored by an experienced, trained practitioner like Cindy Viers, BHRT is a safe and effective option for many women. Cindy uses an individualized approach, starting with the lowest effective dose and monitoring you closely. She uses only pharmaceutical-grade, bio-identical hormones from reputable compounding pharmacies.
I’m overwhelmed. Where do I start?
The first step is the most important: scheduling a consultation. You can start by calling our office at (740) 263-7178 or visiting our website at https://www.optimalbodyandhealth.com to learn more. In your first visit, Cindy will take the time to listen to your full story, review your health history, and explain how our functional, root-cause approach can work for you. You don’t have to navigate this transition alone.
Your journey to feeling like yourself again starts with a single step. If you’re tired of being told your symptoms are “normal” and you’re ready for a personalized, scientific, and compassionate approach to perimenopause, we are here for you.
Optimal Body & Health
Mount Vernon Location: 60 Parrott Street, Suite B, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
Mansfield Location: 1183 Lexington Avenue, Mansfield, Ohio 44907
Phone: (740) 263-7178
Website: https://www.optimalbodyandhealth.com
