Menopause and Perimenopause Nutritionist

Many women think their perimenopause symptoms are caused by a busy life but nutrition therapies can help to relieve symptoms.

An approach tailored to you can address hormonal changes and significantly improve your overall quality of life.

  • Improve your Quality of Life

    The right nutritional support to stablise hormones can result in better sleep, more energy, improved mood and more.

  • Be informed about menopause

    Your menopausal symptoms are temporary and manageable. I'll help you understand your body to approach menopause positively and thrive into the future.

  • Reduce the risk of associated diseases

    Don't ignore the signs: if left untreated, menopause can increase the risk of mood disorders, heart disease, diabetes, dementia and osteoporosis.

From perimenopause to menopause and beyond

Perimenopause usually starts in your 40s and lasts 4-6 years on average. That said, it can also start much earlier, and for me it started in my mid-30s. It can be as short as one year, or as long as 10.

Often referred to as “second puberty”, Perimenopause symptoms may include mood changes (irritability, anxiety, depression or nervous tension), difficulty concentrating, memory loss, insomnia or sleep disturbances, fatigue, migraines / headaches, dizziness, weight gain, night sweats, period changes, vaginal dryness, low libido, painful intercourse, breast changes, sensitivity to alcohol and caffeine and a reduced ability to cope with stress. I have a few articles about perimenopause and menopause here also.

These symptoms typically disappear once the ovaries have officially "retired" and you fully move into menopause.

The initial consultation

Before we meet for the first time, I'll ask you to complete a preliminary health questionnaire and provide any recent medical test results.

During our first consultation I’ll take time to determine how perimenopause is impacting your life. I’ll explore your personal and family history for risk factors that may predispose you to complications of menopausal hormonal changes. We’ll talk about your sleep, stress and emotional wellbeing, gut and liver health, diet and lifestyle.

I will formulate a detailed plan for the best way to begin which you will receive within 24 hours. This plan will include practical nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to help you on your way to feeling better.

Functional testing and treatment plan

Hormonal blood work can eliminate the guesswork by monitoring hormone changes and help predict the onset of menopause. I will prepare a referral for your GP to order any blood investigations required.

Now that you have a treatment plan, you can start implementing my recommendations. I generally allow 4 weeks for this stage, to allow adequate time to see some changes and identify any obstacles. During this time you might need to track your symptoms and menstrual cycle and record a food/lifestyle diary.

Follow-up consultations

Four weeks later we will meet for your first follow-up consultation. By now you will have implemented some of the diet and lifestyle changes and possibly started on nutritional supplements. We will have the results from female hormone blood work requested and can discuss your progress and ongoing goals.

We may need to adjust the prescription of supplements, set new goals for your treatment, and schedule future appointments. I will give you an idea of how long it will take to see results.

Ongoing support

As a minimum, I recommend at least 2-3 follow up appointments over three months before we get you on a maintenance plan. Menopausal symptoms tend to come and go in waves and the goal posts are constantly changing as the hormones are erratic. Once we stabilise symptoms many of my clients check in with me every six months or as needed to adjust the treatment plan.

Are you ready to bring back some balance into your life?

FAQs

What is the difference between perimenopause and menopause?

Perimenopause is a normal and natural hormonal transition at the end of your reproductive stage of life. At around 40 years of age, your progesterone levels start to decline as the signalling to the ovaries start to slow down and ovulation becomes erratic and irregular. This causes unevenly changing levels of estrogen in the body and intermittent symptoms.

Did you know that perimenopause can cause symptoms similar to, or even more intense, than those of menopause.

Menopause begins one year after your last period. It can cause hot flashes, weight gain, metabolic changes and insomnia. Symptoms which vary in their impact, ranging from no symptoms to severe symptoms that severely diminish your quality of life.

Research has shown nutritional treatment to be effective in supporting the erratic hormone fluctuations and reducing the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.

How much does an initial consultation cost?

The initial consultation costs $175 for 90 minutes. Subsequent appointments cost $125 (60 minutes) or $65 (30 minutes). Health fund rebates are available for health funds that cover nutrition (please contact your health fund to find out if they cover Nutrition).

What does an initial consultation include?

  • Diet and lifestyle assessment and health review

  • Detailed personalised treatment plan

  • Functional testing if necessary*

  • Prescription of nutritional, herbal and therapeutic supplements*

* Please note: Functional testing and supplements not included in consultation price.

What is covered in follow up appointments?

Each 60 minute follow-up consultation covers:

  • Modified treatment plan for the next stage of treatment

  • Motivational coaching and education

  • Adjust or repeat prescription of supplements

  • Implement the next stage of your treatment

As a minimum, I recommend at least 2-3 follow up appointments over three months, but many of my clients continue to work with me for longer to keep working on their health goals. Additional consultations are available depending on your circumstances.

Maintenance consultations are 30-minute mini-appointments ($65) as needed to check-in, make minor modifications to your treatment plan, re-prescribe, and review pathology / investigations.