October is Menopause Awareness Month
Let's Talk Honestly About Hormones, Weight, And Women's Health
Every October, Menopause Awareness Month reminds us to talk openly about a life stage that every woman experiences — yet too few understand.
Menopause isn’t a disease; it’s a natural transition. But it can bring real physical and emotional changes: shifts in weight, metabolism, sleep, and mood that can feel confusing and frustrating.
At Wellness ReSolutions, we believe awareness is empowerment. When you understand what’s happening in your body, you can make informed, science-based choices that help you feel like yourself again.
What’s Really Going On During Perimenopause?
Perimenopause usually begins in your 40s (sometimes as early as your mid-30s) and lasts several years before your final menstrual period. During this time, testosterone and progesterone start to decrease, and estrogen levels fluctuate significantly — and those shifts ripple through your entire body.
Hormonal changes can affect:
Metabolism and how efficiently you burn calories
Fat distribution (especially around the abdomen)
Muscle and bone maintenance
Sleep quality, mood, and stress tolerance
It’s not “just your hormones.” It’s a whole-body recalibration that deserves attention and support.
Why Weight Gain Happens — and Why It’s Not Your Fault
Estrogen plays a key role in appetite regulation, energy use, and fat storage. As levels decline or fluctuate:
Your appetite and cravings may increase (especially for sweets or carbs)
Metabolism slows as muscle mass decreases
Fat redistributes toward the midsection
Studies show up to 70% of women experience some degree of weight gain during perimenopause — but this doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means your biology is shifting, and your strategy should too.
The Body Composition Connection
Menopause doesn’t just change the number on the scale — it changes how that weight is distributed.
You may notice:
More visceral fat (around the organs), even without major weight changes
Less lean muscle, which further slows metabolism
Gradual bone density loss, which is a natural part of aging
That’s where DXA scanning becomes a powerful tool. At Wellness ReSolutions, we use Hologic DXA technology to measure:
Body composition (muscle, fat, and visceral fat levels)
Bone density (to detect early bone loss and assess fracture risk)
While October is Menopause Awareness Month, it’s also Bone Health Awareness Month — and the two are closely connected. The hormonal shifts that affect your metabolism also influence your bone strength. A DXA scan gives you the data to protect both.
The Ripple Effects: Mood, Sleep & Energy
Estrogen also affects neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, as well as stress and sleep hormones like cortisol and melatonin. That’s why hormonal changes can bring:
Sleep disruption or 3 a.m. awakeningsIrritability, anxiety, or mood swings
Brain fog and concentration challenges
We can evaluate these patterns using adrenal stress profiles and nutrient assessments — then create an individualized plan to restore balance and energy.
How Wellness ReSolutions Supports Women Through This Transition
1. Hormone Evaluation & Bioidentical Replacement
We use comprehensive blood testing to evaluate hormone levels, thyroid function, and metabolic health. When appropriate, we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to:
Reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings
Improve sleep, focus, and energy
Support muscle, metabolism, and bone health
2. DXA Scans for Body Composition & Bone Density
Our Hologic DXA scans offer precise, actionable data on:
Fat and muscle distribution (helping guide nutrition and fitness plans)
Visceral fat levels, linked to heart and metabolic risk
Bone density, to monitor bone health during and after menopause
This test helps us personalize care — whether your goal is better strength, improved energy, or long-term wellness protection.
3. Functional & Genetic Lab Testing
Through our Rupa Health LabShop, we offer advanced testing for:
Cardiometabolic health (cholesterol, insulin resistance, inflammation)
DNA Diet® and 3X4 Genetics Blueprint for personalized nutrition
Metabolomix+ panels to detect nutrient deficiencies
Adrenocortex Stress Profile for cortisol and stress rhythm assessment
4. Natural Metabolic & Appetite Support
We help women regulate appetite and metabolism naturally, using tools like:
The GLP-1 Optimizer Program, combining natural, or pharmaceutical approaches (like Zepbound) with medical oversight
Nutrient injections and supplement programs to boost energy and metabolism
Evidence-based supplements such as Calocurb®, which can help support GLP-1 production and satiety naturally
These strategies align your hormones, metabolism, and appetite — without extreme dieting or deprivation.
This October: Awareness Leads to Action
October is the perfect reminder that midlife changes deserve attention, not frustration. Menopause affects every woman differently — but every woman benefits from understanding her body and taking proactive steps to protect her long-term wellness.
At Wellness ReSolutions, we’re here to help you navigate this stage with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
The Bottom Line
Menopause is not the end of vitality — it’s a new beginning for intentional, empowered wellness. With the right combination of blood-based hormone testing, DXA insights, and functional medicine strategies, you can feel stronger, leaner, and more vibrant through every stage of life.
This October, celebrate Menopause Awareness Month by prioritizing yourself — your hormones, your health, and your future strength.
