Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause when hormone levels—especially estrogen and progesterone—begin to fluctuate, often erratically. Menopause is officially reached after 12 months without a menstrual cycle. While this is a natural life stage, the symptoms can be overwhelming and long-lasting, including fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. Functional medicine offers a personalized approach to balancing hormones naturally, supporting adrenal and thyroid function, optimizing detox pathways, and improving sleep, mood, and quality of life—without defaulting to synthetic hormone replacement for every case.