Article Insights & Reflections
Synopsis: This overview brings clarity to a key menopause topic and translates research into practical next steps. It equips readers with options to discuss with a qualified clinician and tools to start improving today.
Top 5 Questions Answered:
- Which symptoms are truly driven by menopause?
- What options exist beyond over-the-counter fixes?
- When should I consider medical therapy?
- Which daily habits make the biggest difference?
- How do I personalize a plan that lasts?
Most women with perimenopause symptoms are told they’re too young for menopause. The truth? Relief can happen in weeks, not years — if you know what’s really going on.
You’re in your late 30s or 40s, still having periods — but something feels different. Your sleep is restless. You wake up at 3 a.m. and can’t fall back asleep. Your mood yo-yos without warning. Your sex drive is gone, your energy’s low, and even work you once enjoyed feels like a chore.
For too many women, the reply from your doctor is: “You’re not in menopause yet. There’s nothing to do.” That’s simply not true. What you’re experiencing may be hormone deficiencies typical of women in their 30’s and 40’s — a stage with its own unique hormonal changes that’s very different from menopause, and very treatable.
You can feel better in a few weeks. That’s how short it takes — a few weeks.
Why the Name Misleads Women
The word “perimenopause” literally means “around menopause,” which makes it sound like it happens right before menopause starts. But many women begin experiencing symptoms in their mid-30s — sometimes 10 to 15 years before their last period. Understandably, a 35-year-old doesn’t want to be told she’s “near menopause.” In reality, this stage is physiologically the opposite of menopause in some ways. For example: Estrogen levels are often high, not low. And the treatment approach is completely different.The Hormonal Imbalance Few Doctors Talk About
Perimenopause begins when the finely tuned communication system between your brain and your ovaries starts to falter. Messages from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to the ovaries get “noisy” or out of sync. Three key hormones — estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — start to fluctuate in unpredictable patterns: • Estrogen often rises, not falls, causing breast tenderness, heavy or irregular bleeding, fluid retention, and even breast growth. • Progesterone usually drops, leading to migraines, PMS mood swings, weight gain, and poor sleep. • Testosterone often declines, causing low energy, reduced motivation, and diminished libido. There are dozens of possible combinations of these changes, which is why your symptoms may look nothing like your friend’s.How It Shows Up in Real Life
For one woman, perimenopause might mean night after night of broken sleep and daily anxiety. For another, it could be sudden weight gain and zero sex drive. Someone else may notice intensifying PMS symptoms or feel so unmotivated she considers quitting her job. In our clinics, we’ve seen women who thought they’d lost interest in their careers or relationships — only to discover their hormones were driving their mood changes and fatigue. When balance was restored, their energy, interest, and optimism returned within weeks.Why It’s Often Missed
If your periods are still coming, many doctors assume your hormones are “fine.” The most common recommendations women hear are: • Antidepressants for mood • Sleeping pills for insomnia • Weight loss drugs for stubborn pounds • Endometrial ablation or hysterectomy for heavy bleeding While these treatments can mask symptoms, they don’t address the root cause — hormonal imbalance. And for 1 in 3 women, the symptoms are severe enough to affect relationships, careers, and overall quality of life for years before menopause.Testing Tells the Real Story
The good news is if you find the right provider who knows what they’re doing, these symptoms can all be sorted out — and mostly reversed — by rebalancing your hormone levels and comparing them to normal, more “youthful” hormone levels. A thorough evaluation starts with comprehensive hormone testing to measure estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. We also look at thyroid function, nutritional status, and other key systems that can impact hormone balance. This approach often uncovers patterns conventional medicine misses — patterns that explain why you’ve been feeling “off” even when your basic labs look “normal.”The Difference With Targeted Treatment
When your hormone levels are restored to an optimal balance, you may notice: • Better sleep within days • Steadier mood and reduced anxiety • Renewed energy and motivation • Improved libido • Weight stabilization and easier fat loss This isn’t about guessing or “trying” hormones. It’s about customizing treatment — often using bioidentical hormones that match your body’s own molecular structure, combined with supportive lifestyle changes.Why Perimenopause Isn’t Menopause
Menopause brings its own risks — bone loss, heart disease, cognitive decline — when hormones stay low for years. Perimenopause usually doesn’t carry those same long-term risks. But it can make daily life miserable if left unaddressed.You don’t have to wait until your periods stop to get help – that’s a mistake, and can mean losing years of feeling like yourself again.Our Whole-Body Approach
Hormones are powerful, but they work best in a healthy environment. That’s why we often pair hormone balancing with: • Medical weight loss to improve metabolism, reduce inflammation, and help restore energy • NAD+ therapy to support cellular repair, mitochondrial function, and brain health • Vaginal rejuvenation to improve intimacy, restore comfort, and enhance pelvic wellness This integrated approach addresses not just the symptoms, but the whole system — so improvements come faster and last longer.The Bottom Line
Perimenopause is not “almost menopause.” It’s a unique hormone deficiency syndrome that starts years earlier — and it’s treatable. If you’re exhausted, moody, disconnected, or unlike yourself, it’s not “just stress” and it’s not “all in your head.” The right testing and treatment can help you sleep better, think clearer, feel stronger, and get back to yourself — often in just weeks.About Dr. Gustav Lo
Gustav Lo, MD, is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center and RegenCen, with locations across Michigan and Florida. A physician with over 35 years of clinical experience, Dr. Lo is recognized for his expertise in menopause medicine, hormone replacement therapy, and regenerative wellness. He has helped thousands of women navigate perimenopause and menopause with personalized, science-based care that restores energy, mood, and vitality. Through his work, Dr. Lo has become a strong advocate for earlier recognition of hormonal changes and individualized treatment for women’s health.
Dr. Gustav Lo, MD
Chief Medical Officer – RegenCen And Cosmetic Skin and Laser Center
Dr. Gustav Lo brings over 30 years of clinical experience and medical leadership to RegenCen and Cosmetic Skin and Laser Center (CSLC), where he serves as Chief Medical Officer. As co-founder of the practice alongside Courtney Lo, PA, Dr. Lo provides medical oversight and clinical direction across RegenCen’s regenerative and hormone health services.
Dr. Lo leads and mentors the provider team in bioidentical hormone therapy, menopause and testosterone treatment, PRF joint injections, NAD+ therapy, and regenerative medicine. His background in primary care—including decades as founder and operator of Northern Michigan MedCenter—shapes the thoughtful, evidence-based care that defines RegenCen’s approach to aging and wellness.
A passionate educator and advocate for women’s health, Dr. Lo regularly speaks on the benefits of hormone optimization, working to dispel outdated myths and empower women with safer, modern options. He remains closely involved in provider training and treatment development, ensuring clinical consistency and excellence at every RegenCen location.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Lo is a dedicated father of four, an avid reader, and a certified scuba diver with a lifelong passion for learning and exploration.
