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Category Archives: Hormonal Health

November 11 2025

Functional Medicine vs Conventional Care: Why Midlife Women Need a Proactive Approach

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Hormonal Health

Discover why functional medicine provides a proactive approach for midlife women, addressing root causes of hormone and mood imbalances often missed in conventional care.

Why Conventional Care Often Falls Short

When midlife women experience mood swings, anxiety, sleep problems, or fatigue, the conventional medical system often treats the symptoms rather than the cause. Typical approaches may include:

  • Prescribing antidepressants or sleep aids without checking hormones

  • Limited lab testing that misses subtle imbalances

  • Treating complaints individually rather than holistically

While conventional care is essential for acute medical issues, many women find it reactive—addressing problems after they’ve become severe.

Functional Medicine: A Proactive, Root-Cause Approach

Functional medicine looks at the whole person—hormones, nutrition, lifestyle, stress, and underlying imbalances. It’s proactive and personalized. Key components include:

  • Comprehensive lab testing: hormone panels, thyroid, adrenal function, micronutrient levels

  • Lifestyle optimization: nutrition, sleep, stress reduction, movement

  • Targeted support: bioidentical hormones, supplements, or adaptogens when needed

By identifying imbalances early, functional medicine can prevent severe mood disruptions, fatigue, and other symptoms common in midlife women.

Real-Life Story: From Overlooked to Empowered

Consider Laura, 49, a busy professional and mom. She struggled with irritability, low energy, and insomnia for over a year. Her doctor prescribed medication for anxiety and sleep, but her symptoms persisted. Through a functional medicine assessment, we discovered:

  • Low estrogen and progesterone

  • Elevated cortisol from chronic stress

  • Vitamin deficiencies affecting energy and mood

With a personalized plan including nutrition adjustments, stress management techniques, and targeted hormone support, Laura noticed changes within weeks:
“I finally feel like I have my life back. I didn’t realize how much my hormones were affecting me until I addressed the root cause.”

Why Investing in Your Health is Worth It

Many women hesitate to seek functional medicine because insurance may not cover it. But consider this: investing in your health now can:

  • Reduce the risk of long-term depression, anxiety, or burnout

  • Improve energy, focus, and overall quality of life

  • Support better relationships and emotional resilience

Think of it as an investment in your future self, not just a medical expense.

Take Action Today

If you’ve noticed changes in your mood, energy, or sleep that aren’t resolving, taking a proactive approach is key. Functional medicine can help you:

  • Identify hidden hormonal imbalances

  • Implement lifestyle strategies that work for you

  • Prevent more severe symptoms before they start

Schedule a functional medicine discovery call today and take the first step toward reclaiming your midlife health and vitality.

 Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
 Phone: 407-760-1662
Website: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

October 10 2025

What No One Tells You About Hormones and Mood in Midlife

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Hormonal Health

Discover how hormonal shifts in midlife affect mood, energy, and sleep. Learn how functional medicine can help women feel like themselves again.

Feeling “Off” in Your 40s, 50s, or 60s? You’re Not Alone

Many women in their 40s–60s feel “off” without understanding why. Irritability, anxiety, low energy, sleep problems, or brain fog can creep in suddenly, making you feel disconnected from your usual self. What most women don’t realize is that these changes often have a biological root: hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause.

Hormones Aren’t Just About Reproduction

Your hormones—estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol—play critical roles beyond reproductive health. They influence mood, motivation, stress response, sleep, and energy. When estrogen and progesterone levels drop:

  • Serotonin and dopamine levels can decline, affecting mood and motivation

  • Sleep may become restless, and fatigue can set in

  • Anxiety and irritability can increase, making everyday tasks feel overwhelming

Even testosterone and cortisol shifts can leave you feeling drained or emotionally unbalanced.

Heartfelt Stories from Midlife Women

Sarah’s Story
Sarah, in her early 50s, came to me feeling constantly anxious, exhausted, and disconnected from her family. She was a mom of two teenagers, working full-time, and felt like she was losing herself. After labs and lifestyle assessment, we discovered low estrogen and progesterone, elevated cortisol, and vitamin D deficiency. With a functional medicine plan including nutrition, stress management, and hormone support, Sarah’s transformation was remarkable:
“I feel like me again. I didn’t realize how much my hormones were controlling my life until I got help.”

Maria’s Story
Maria, 48, a homeschooling mom of three, experienced panic attacks and racing thoughts during the pandemic. She felt isolated, ashamed, and unsure if anyone else her age felt the same. Functional medicine interventions—targeted labs, sleep optimization, nutrition, and adrenal support—helped Maria regain balance. Within weeks, her anxiety decreased, energy returned, and she felt confident navigating her life’s demands again.

How Functional Medicine Can Help

Functional medicine focuses on root causes rather than just masking symptoms. Approaches include:

  • Comprehensive lab testing: hormone panels, thyroid, adrenal function, nutrient levels

  • Lifestyle adjustments: nutrition, stress management, movement, sleep hygiene

  • Targeted support: bioidentical hormones, adaptogens, and supplements when appropriate

The earlier you address imbalances, the more you can prevent prolonged mood disruption, fatigue, and other midlife challenges.

Take Action Today

If you’re experiencing mood swings, low energy, anxiety, or sleep disturbances, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Start by:

  • Tracking your symptoms daily

  • Discussing hormones and mental health with a qualified provider

  • Considering functional medicine strategies to support balance

Your health, mood, and life are worth the investment.

Want to Learn More?
Schedule a functional medicine discovery call or reach out directly to discuss a plan tailored to your unique needs.

 Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
 Phone: 407-760-1662
Website: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

October 10 2025

Hormones, Mood, and Suicide: What Women Need to Know

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Hormonal Health, Mental Health and Wellness.

Midlife is a period of profound change for women, and it’s also a time when mental health challenges can increase. Research shows that women aged 45–64 have some of the highest suicide rates among females. This period often coincides with menopause, a time of major hormonal changes that can affect mood, energy, and overall well-being.

Understanding the connection between hormones, mood, and suicide risk is essential for women, their families, and healthcare providers.

Hormonal Changes and Mental Health

During perimenopause and menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone shift dramatically. These hormones not only affect reproductive health—they also influence brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood, motivation, and calm.

When estrogen and progesterone drop, women may experience:

  • Anxiety and irritability

  • Persistent sadness or low mood

  • Brain fog or memory difficulties

  • Sleep disturbances and fatigue

These changes can increase vulnerability to depression and, in severe cases, thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

What the Research Shows

Several recent studies highlight the connection between menopause, hormonal changes, and increased risk of suicide:

  1. Age at Menopause and Suicide Risk
    A 2024 study of over 1.3 million postmenopausal women found that women who went through menopause at younger ages—especially before 40—had a significantly higher risk of suicide. (Frontiers in Psychiatry, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1442991)

  2. Menopause and Suicide: A Review
    A 2025 review of 19 studies reported that most women experience an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or feelings during menopause, especially during perimenopause. Hormonal changes, existing mental health conditions, physical symptoms, and limited social support were key factors. (ResearchGate, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.39635.97155)

  3. Midlife Women at Risk
    Another 2025 study emphasized that women in midlife, particularly during perimenopause, are at an elevated risk for suicidal thoughts due to hormonal fluctuations affecting mental health. (SAGE Journals, DOI: 10.1177/17455057251338941)

Risk Factors to Watch For

  • Hormonal Changes: Drops in estrogen and progesterone can affect mood.

  • Existing Mental Health Conditions: Depression or anxiety may worsen.

  • Physical Symptoms: Hot flashes, sleep problems, and fatigue can add stress.

  • Social Isolation: Feeling alone or lacking support can increase risk.

  • Life Stressors: Work, caregiving, or relationship challenges.

How Women Can Protect Their Mental Health

Even if insurance doesn’t cover it, investing in your health is essential. Strategies include:

  • Hormone Support: Discuss options with a healthcare provider, including hormone therapy if appropriate.

  • Functional Medicine: Labs and lifestyle strategies to address underlying imbalances.

  • Mental Health Care: Therapy or counseling for emotional support.

  • Healthy Habits: Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress management, and good sleep routines.

  • Social Support: Maintain strong friendships and support networks.

When to Seek Help

If you experience persistent sadness, anxiety, sleep problems, or thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help immediately.

In the U.S., you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, available 24/7 for free, confidential support.

Conclusion

Menopause is a natural phase of life, but it comes with real mental health challenges. Hormonal changes, combined with life stressors, can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts in women aged 45–64.

Awareness, early intervention, and supportive care—through conventional or functional medicine—can make a profound difference. Women deserve to feel seen, supported, and empowered to take charge of their mental and emotional health during midlife.

Take Action Today:

  • Track your mood, sleep, and energy.

  • Discuss hormonal and mental health concerns with your healthcare provider.

  • Consider functional medicine strategies to address root causes of imbalance.

Your health, your mood, and your life are worth the investment.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re a woman navigating midlife and want personalized guidance to support your hormones, mood, and overall well-being, I’m here to help.

Schedule a functional medicine discovery call or reach out to me directly to discuss how we can create a plan tailored to your unique needs.

Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Phone: 407-760-1662
Website: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

You don’t have to navigate midlife changes alone—let’s take this journey together.

October 10 2025

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health Challenges in Menopausal Women

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Health/Wellness, Hormonal Health, Women’s Health and Neonatal Care

Menopause is a natural transition in a woman’s life, but it often brings physiological changes that can impact cardiovascular and metabolic health. Understanding these risks is essential for both healthcare providers and women themselves. Nurses play a key role in education, prevention, and advocacy for healthy aging.

Cardiovascular Risks in Menopause:
The decline in estrogen during menopause affects the cardiovascular system. Key concerns include:

  • Increased blood pressure

  • Changes in cholesterol levels (higher LDL, lower HDL)

  • Greater risk of heart disease and stroke

Nursing Perspective:
Monitoring vital signs, patient education on heart-healthy habits, and advocating for regular screenings can reduce cardiovascular risk.

Metabolic Dysfunction:
Menopause can also affect metabolism, leading to:

  • Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen

  • Insulin resistance and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes

  • Changes in lipid and glucose metabolism

 Lifestyle and Functional Medicine Interventions:
Nurses and healthcare providers can guide patients toward sustainable interventions:

  • Nutrition: Emphasize anti-inflammatory foods, balanced macronutrients, and adequate fiber.

  • Physical activity: Regular aerobic and resistance exercise to support heart health and metabolism.

  • Sleep and stress management: Quality sleep and stress reduction techniques improve insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular resilience.

  • Functional labs and personalized assessment: Identify hormonal imbalances, metabolic markers, and cardiovascular risk factors to tailor care.

Patient Perspective:
Women can feel empowered by understanding these changes. Small, consistent lifestyle adjustments, combined with regular check-ups, can significantly reduce long-term risks.

Menopause doesn’t have to mean inevitable cardiovascular or metabolic decline. Through awareness, proactive monitoring, and lifestyle interventions, nurses can help women maintain heart and metabolic health, improve quality of life, and promote longevity.

This week, women experiencing menopause can schedule a basic cardiovascular and metabolic screening — a first step in proactive, empowered care.

Written by Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, BC-FMP

October 10 2025

Hormones, Healing, and Hidden Imbalances

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Hormonal Health

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Many women expect some pain and discomfort after an injury—whether from a car accident, a fall, or even an emotionally traumatic event. But what most don’t expect is how long that pain and fatigue can linger. It’s frustrating when you’re doing “everything right”—attending physical therapy, following up with doctors, taking medications as prescribed—yet you still feel exhausted, moody, and unlike yourself.

You may find yourself thinking:

  • “Why am I so tired all the time?”
  • “Why do I feel depressed or anxious when I never used to?”
  • “Why can’t I sleep through the night anymore?”
  • “Why does my weight keep creeping up, even though I haven’t changed my diet?”

These questions are valid. And you’re not imagining things.

The truth is, injury recovery is about more than healing bones, muscles, or tissues. There is often a hidden layer of disruption that traditional medicine doesn’t always address: hormonal imbalance.

How Injuries Trigger Hormonal Disruption

When you experience trauma—whether physical or emotional—your body activates its internal alarm system, also known as the stress response. This process, regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, signals your adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other stress hormones.

Initially, this is a helpful and protective mechanism. But when stress becomes chronic—such as when you’re in ongoing pain, dealing with disrupted sleep, or experiencing financial or emotional stress after an injury—it can throw your hormonal system completely out of balance.

Over time, this can lead to:

  • Adrenal fatigue (feeling wired but tired, or just completely drained)
  • Thyroid dysfunction (which affects metabolism, energy, and mood)
  • Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone (leading to mood swings, irregular periods, or worsened PMS)
  • Blood sugar instability
  • Slowed tissue repair and inflammation that won’t resolve

Unfortunately, many of these issues don’t show up clearly on standard labs. You may be told that everything is “normal,” but you still don’t feel right. That’s where functional medicine can offer real answers.

Why Women Are Especially Affected

Women’s hormonal systems are incredibly intricate and sensitive to stress. After an injury, even subtle changes in sleep, inflammation, or nutrient depletion can create a cascade effect—disrupting everything from your monthly cycle to your ability to think clearly and manage your emotions.

If you’re also a caregiver, a professional, or simply trying to get back to your routine, the pressure to “push through” can further delay recovery. Many women feel guilty for slowing down or seeking help—so they suffer in silence while their bodies quietly burn out.

The good news? You don’t have to.

Functional Support for Hormone Health and Recovery

At JRM Nurse Consultants, we take a different approach. We start by listening to your story—how the injury happened, what you’ve experienced since, and how your symptoms are impacting your life. Then, using advanced functional lab testing and clinical assessments, we help you uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.

We explore key areas like:

  • Adrenal function and cortisol patterns
  • Thyroid health (not just TSH, but full thyroid panels)
  • Female hormone balance
  • Inflammatory markers
  • Nutrient levels and gut health
  • Sleep and nervous system recovery

You’ll receive a personalized recovery roadmap that doesn’t just treat symptoms—it restores balance.

It’s Time to Feel Like Yourself Again

If you’re tired of being told “everything looks fine” when you know something is off, trust your instincts. Your symptoms are messages. And healing is possible—especially when we address the root causes and support the body’s natural ability to rebalance.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00

Once you are ready for the next step after the initial consult, it will allow us to review your health history, current concerns, and determine the best path forward for healing. This is not just another appointment—it’s a starting point for real answers and individualized care.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Contact:
Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Phone: 407-760-1662
Fax: 727-279-2103
Website: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

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