A Holistic Approach with Dr. Heidi Queen, MD

Perimenopause is often described as a rollercoaster — physically, emotionally, and hormonally. The truth is, this transitional time can feel wildly unpredictable. Hot flashes, anxiety, sleep disruptions, mood swings, and mysterious weight gain are just a few of the symptoms women may face. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to just “get through it.” With the right guidance and support, this can be a time of recalibration, not chaos.

At Energize Health & Hormones, Dr. Heidi Queen, MD, takes a modern, evidence-based approach to perimenopause that honors both your biology and your life. Drawing on integrative and functional medicine, she helps women create personalized strategies that address symptoms at their root — not just mask them.

Here’s a look at how Dr. Queen works with women to reduce inflammation, rebalance hormones, and improve quality of life during perimenopause.

Step 1: Lower Inflammation to Soothe the System

You might not connect inflammation with hormone shifts, but they’re more closely linked than most women realize. As estrogen levels decline, systemic inflammation can rise, exacerbating everything from joint pain to brain fog.

Dr. Queen encourages an anti-inflammatory lifestyle that includes:

Restorative Sleep
Sleep isn’t just rest — it’s repair. Women in perimenopause often struggle with falling or staying asleep, which can amplify symptoms. Creating a sleep-friendly environment, unplugging before bed, and keeping a regular schedule can go a long way.

Movement
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to lower inflammation, improve mood, and maintain cardiovascular and metabolic health. Aiming for 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise weekly, along with strength training, makes a measurable difference.

Stress Reduction
Chronic stress contributes to inflammatory overload. Practices like meditation, breathwork, and even simple time in nature can shift the nervous system out of fight-or-flight and back into balance.

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition
Food can be a powerful ally. Dr. Queen recommends building meals around whole, plant-rich ingredients — especially berries, leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, healthy fats, and omega-3s. Supplements like EPA/DHA (omega-3) may help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

Step 2: Support Hormone Systems at Their Roots

Hormonal balance doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s supported — or disrupted — by your gut, liver, and adrenal glands. That’s why Dr. Queen focuses on systems-based healing rather than one-size-fits-all hormone fixes.

Gut Health
Your gut plays a major role in detoxing hormone metabolites. Regular bowel movements, adequate hydration, fiber-rich foods, and probiotic support (especially strains like Lactobacillus) can enhance estrogen metabolism and reduce bloating, mood swings, and other gut-related symptoms.

Liver Detoxification
A sluggish liver can bottleneck hormone clearance, leading to heightened symptoms. To support liver function, Dr. Queen may recommend foods like cruciferous vegetables, antioxidant-rich fruits, and targeted supplements like milk thistle and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) — both shown to enhance detoxification and antioxidant status.

Adrenal Resilience
In midlife, the adrenal glands step in to help balance estrogen — but only if they’re functioning well. Chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, and poor sleep can leave them depleted. Herbal adaptogens such as ashwagandha and rhodiola, along with magnesium and phosphatidylserine, can help the body better manage stress and restore energy levels.

Dr. Queen encourages patients to track their progress — whether it’s improved energy, fewer night sweats, or better sleep — in a simple journal or health app. These small wins help guide ongoing treatment and remind you that your efforts are paying off.

Step 3: Symptom Relief That Matches Your Values

Let’s face it: Some symptoms are just hard to live with. Whether you’re dealing with intense hot flashes, vaginal dryness, low libido, or mood swings, you deserve real relief — and options that feel right for you.

Dr. Queen works with each patient to explore appropriate solutions, which may include:

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)
Delivered via creams, patches, or other methods, BHRT can provide the estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone needed to rebalance the body and support bone, brain, and mood health.

Non-Hormonal Options
Not everyone is a candidate for hormone therapy — and that’s okay. Other options, such as certain antidepressants, gabapentin, and vaginal moisturizers, can be useful tools in the symptom relief toolbox.

Natural Supplements
Dr. Queen also offers botanical-based support, including:

• Black cohosh to ease hot flashes and improve mood

• Vitamin E for vaginal dryness

• Phytoestrogens from flax, soy, and vegetables that naturally modulate estrogen activity

It’s Not Just About Symptoms — It’s About Transformation

Perimenopause is more than a hormonal shift — it’s an invitation to check in with your body and reset. When approached with care, this chapter can mark the beginning of a new kind of vitality.

Dr. Queen’s philosophy is that perimenopause isn’t just something to survive — it’s a chance to create a more resilient, energized, and connected version of yourself. Her integrative approach blends cutting-edge medical tools with the wisdom of holistic care to help women feel better now — and thrive long into the future.

Whether you’re at the beginning of this transition or deep in the thick of it, Energize Health & Hormones offers compassionate, science-informed care tailored to your unique experience. By addressing root causes and building a personalized plan, Dr. Queen helps women navigate perimenopause not with fear, but with confidence.

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Ready to take control of your perimenopause journey? Learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Heidi Queen today. Call (415) 548-7901 or feel free to use our contact form.