“The internet turned MHT into a team sport—your body isn’t a team.”
If you’ve spent any time online researching menopause hormone therapy (often called MHT or “hormone therapy”), you’ve probably noticed the conversation can feel… intense.
One corner of the internet makes it sound like hormones are the answer for everyone. Another makes it sound like hormones are never appropriate for anyone. And in the middle are real people—trying to sleep, trying to feel like themselves again, and trying to make a thoughtful decision without being overwhelmed.
Here’s the message I want you to hear as your Functional Medicine provider:
You don’t have to “pick a side.” You get a plan that fits you.
Menopause is personal. Symptoms are real, and they can affect sleep, mood, relationships, work, energy, and confidence. When something impacts your daily life, it’s normal to want a clear, quick answer.
But most health decisions—especially in midlife—aren’t best served by extremes. They’re best served by context:
Your symptoms and what’s most disruptive
Your health history and family history
Your stage of the menopause transition
Your preferences and comfort level
Your overall “terrain” (sleep, stress, metabolic health, gut health, inflammation, nutrient status)
That’s what personalization actually means.
Menopause hormone therapy is a medical approach that uses hormones—most commonly estrogen and sometimes progesterone (depending on your individual situation)—to support people who are experiencing menopause-related symptoms.
Some people consider MHT because they’re dealing with symptoms like:
hot flashes or night sweats
disrupted sleep
mood changes that feel new or amplified
changes in how their body feels day-to-day
Not everyone needs MHT. Not everyone wants MHT. And many people benefit from discussing it as one option within a bigger plan.
Functional Medicine is sometimes misunderstood as “natural only.” That’s not what good Functional Medicine is.
A true Functional Medicine approach is root-cause oriented + evidence-informed + individualized—and it can include a range of tools, including medications, when they’re appropriate.
So instead of debating whether hormones are “good” or “bad,” we ask better questions:
This is one of the most important steps—and it’s often skipped online.
We get specific:
What symptoms are happening?
How often?
What time of day?
What’s your “non-negotiable” goal (sleep, mood stability, fewer hot flashes, feeling like yourself)?
Perimenopause and menopause aren’t single moments—they’re phases. Timing and symptom patterns matter, and your options may look different depending on where you are.
This is where Functional Medicine shines. We zoom out and look at:
stress load and nervous system patterns
sleep quality and circadian rhythm
blood sugar patterns and energy crashes
nutrition, digestion, and inflammation patterns
movement, muscle, and recovery
personal and family health history
Not to make the process complicated—but to make it safer, clearer, and more effective.
For some patients, MHT becomes a key piece of relief. For others, we focus elsewhere. Often it’s a layered plan.
And importantly: Lifestyle support isn’t a replacement for medical care.
It’s the foundation that helps any plan work better—whether or not MHT is part of it.
Many people come in feeling like they should be “handling this better,” especially if they’ve tried all the tips and supplements and still feel off.
I want to say this clearly:
Needing support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign you’re paying attention.
Perimenopause and menopause can be a major physiological transition. You deserve care that takes your symptoms seriously and treats you like a whole person.
The internet will keep trying to turn menopause hormone therapy into a team sport.
But in real healthcare, it’s not about sides. It’s about you.
If you’re experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms and you want a grounded, personalized plan—with options explained clearly and decisions made thoughtfully—we’re here.
