Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. For many women, the transition from perimenopause into menopause brings symptoms that are confusing, disruptive, and often dismissed by traditional healthcare. At Glow Health & Wellness in Destin, Florida, we believe women deserve compassionate care, clear answers, and treatment plans that truly support their physical, emotional, and hormonal health.

Our clinic specializes in functional medicine and hormone optimization, offering both in-office visits and telehealth appointments for patients in Florida and Alabama. Whether you’re just beginning to notice changes or are deep into menopause, we are here to help you regain balance, energy, and confidence.

What Is Menopause—and When Does It Begin?

Menopause officially begins when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. But the transition leading up to menopause, called perimenopause, can begin up to 5–12 years earlier.

Many women start experiencing symptoms in their late 30s or early 40s, long before they realize hormonal changes are the root cause.

Common Stages:

• Perimenopause: Hormones fluctuate unpredictably. Cycles may become irregular, heavier, lighter, or unpredictable. Symptoms often begin here.

• Menopause: The menstrual cycle stops completely for 12 months, and estrogen and progesterone drop significantly.

• Postmenopause: Hormones remain low and stable. Symptoms may continue unless addressed.

Every woman’s experience is unique—but one thing is clear: You don’t have to struggle through it.

Common Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause

Hormonal changes affect the entire body. Symptoms may begin subtly or appear suddenly, and they often overlap with thyroid imbalances, stress, adrenal dysfunction, and metabolic shifts.

Symptoms may include:

• Hot flashes & night sweats

• Weight gain (especially midsection)

• Mood swings, anxiety, depression

• Low libido

• Vaginal dryness or discomfort

• Insomnia or restless sleep

• Fatigue and low motivation

• Brain fog & trouble concentrating

• Irregular or heavy cycles (perimenopause)

• Hair loss or thinning

• Joint pain or stiffness

• Dry skin or accelerated aging

• Loss of muscle mass

• Increased inflammation

Many women are told these symptoms are “normal,” “just aging,” or “something to push through.” But at Glow Health & Wellness, we see menopause differently. We view it as a treatable, manageable phase of life—one that can actually bring renewed vitality when hormones are balanced properly.

The Role of Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone During Menopause

Hormones influence everything from mood to metabolism, and the dramatic shifts during menopause can cause a wide range of symptoms. Understanding these key hormones helps women see why treatment can make such a powerful difference.

Estrogen: Energy, Mood, and Metabolic Balance

Estrogen is essential for:

• Temperature regulation

• Mood stability

• Skin elasticity

• Bone density

• Heart health

• Vaginal and bladder comfort

• Metabolism and weight regulation

During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate, then decline. This often triggers:

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Weight gain (especially around the abdomen)

• Mood swings

• Vaginal dryness

• Changes in skin and hair

• Loss of energy

Bioidentical Estrogen Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can help stabilize these symptoms and restore your sense of wellbeing. At Glow Health & Wellness, we use safe, evidence-based dosing based on your labs, symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history.

Progesterone: The Calming, Sleep-Supporting Hormone

Progesterone helps regulate:

• Sleep

• Mood

• Anxiety response

• Menstrual cycles

• Uterine health

Low progesterone is one of the earliest changes in perimenopause and often causes:

• Irritability or anxiety

• Poor sleep or difficulty staying asleep

• Irregular cycles

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

• PMS-like symptoms that worsen with age

Bioidentical progesterone can dramatically improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and stabilize mood. Many women report feeling “calmer,” “more grounded,” and “finally able to sleep again" when progesterone is balanced.

Testosterone: Strength, Libido, Confidence, and Vitality

Most women don’t realize testosterone plays a major role in female health. It supports:

• Libido

• Muscle tone

• Strength

• Bone health

• Energy and motivation

• Mental clarity

In menopause, testosterone levels decline—sometimes sharply—leading to:

• Low libido

• Muscle loss

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• Difficulty losing weight

• Lower mood or motivation

Bioidentical testosterone therapy, delivered in precise dosing appropriate for women, can significantly improve overall wellness, strength, and sexual health.

How Glow Health & Wellness Approaches Menopause

Our clinic focuses on root-cause care, not guesswork. We go deeper than traditional medicine to understand exactly what your hormones are doing—and what your body needs to feel balanced again.

Our menopause evaluation includes:

• Detailed symptom review

• Comprehensive bloodwork

• Thyroid testing

• Adrenal function assessment

• Inflammation and metabolic markers

• Weight, energy, and sleep analysis

Using this information, your provider builds a personalized treatment plan that may include:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

• Progesterone and estrogen balancing

• Testosterone support where appropriate

• Thyroid optimization

• Lifestyle and nutrition support

• Sleep and cortisol regulation

• Peptide therapies

• Supplements that target root causes

Your plan is designed specifically for your symptoms, health history, metabolism, age, and goals.

Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy for Menopause

Women receiving BHRT often experience improvements such as:

• Better sleep quality

• Fewer hot flashes & night sweats

• Weight loss or easier weight management

• Improved libido

• Better mood and emotional balance

• More stable energy throughout the day

• Reduced anxiety

• Healthier skin and hair

• Clearer thinking and better memory

• Stronger bones and muscles

Many women say they finally feel like themselves again—not overwhelmed, not exhausted, not inflamed.

Menopause and Thyroid Health

Thyroid issues commonly overlap with menopause symptoms, which is why many women are misdiagnosed or left untreated. Glow Health & Wellness evaluates:

• TSH

• Free T3

• Free T4

• Reverse T3

• Thyroid antibodies (Hashimoto’s evaluation)

Balancing both thyroid and sex hormones often leads to profound improvements in weight, energy, inflammation, and mood.

Menopause Treatment Options: In-Office or Telehealth (FL & AL)

We offer flexible care options to meet your needs:

In-Office Care in Destin, FL

Perfect for women who prefer face-to-face visits, physical assessments, or in-clinic treatment options. You’ll meet with your provider in our comfortable wellness environment.

Telehealth for Florida and Alabama

Women across FL and AL can receive expert menopause care from the comfort of their homes. Telehealth includes:

• Virtual consultations

• Lab review

• Hormone prescriptions

• Ongoing monitoring

• Personalized treatment plans

Telehealth is ideal for busy women, caregivers, travelers, or anyone who lives outside the Destin area.

Menopause Does Not Have to Be a Struggle

You deserve a provider who listens, understands, and addresses your symptoms with compassion and expertise. Menopause is not just a hormonal shift, it’s a whole-body transition that affects your brain, metabolism, energy, mood, and overall wellbeing.

At Glow Health & Wellness, we believe every woman deserves to feel supported, balanced, and empowered during this season of life.

Take the First Step Toward Feeling Better

If you’re experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, you don’t have to navigate them alone. Our team is here to help you feel like yourself again—with evidence-based treatment tailored to your unique needs.

Schedule your in-office or telehealth evaluation today.