A Journey to Rejuvenation with Physiologic Hormone Restoration Therapy
By Dr. ACE, ND
As a naturopathic doctor, I see many women struggling with complex, multifaceted health issues—especially during the transition into perimenopause. One case that stands out is a 49-year-old female who came to me feeling completely lost in her own body.
She had been dealing with hormonal imbalances since her teenage years, suffering for decades without truly understanding why. In the past three years, her symptoms had become unbearable, and the last year before she started hormone therapy was particularly devastating. She felt as though she was aging prematurely and had no idea how to stop it. Frustration, exhaustion, and a deep sense of hopelessness had set in.
She had tried various solutions—from working with a nurse practitioner to seeing a functional medicine doctor. Each attempt helped only a little or not at all, and her symptoms eventually worsened again. She started to believe that maybe she was just getting older and that this new “normal” was something she had to accept. But she wasn’t ready to give up.
A Complex Case: More Than Just Hormones
This patient’s history was anything but simple. She had a long-standing struggle with autoimmunity, chronic Lyme disease, and even Botox poisoning. On top of that, she had been on birth control for over 30 years, which never truly resolved her hormonal symptoms. Instead, it left her with persistent cramps, mood swings, and other imbalances that never seemed to stabilize.
Like many health-conscious patients, she had already tried several dietary interventions, including eliminating gluten—which did improve her mood—but nothing seemed to fully resolve her symptoms. Sleep was still a major issue, and despite trying countless approaches, she couldn’t figure out why she felt so depleted.
She wasn’t just dealing with perimenopause. Her diagnoses included:
✅ Chronic fatigue
✅ Insomnia
✅ Iron deficiency
✅ Hypoglycemia
✅ Nervousness and heightened anxiety
She needed more than just a surface-level approach.
What Is Perimenopause and Why Is It So Challenging?
Perimenopause is the transitional stage before menopause, typically starting in a woman’s 40s (though it can begin earlier). During this time, levels of estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate, leading to a wide array of symptoms—many of which are easily misattributed to stress, aging, or lifestyle factors.
Common perimenopausal symptoms include:
Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Anxiety, irritability, or mood swings
Sleep disruptions and night sweats
Brain fog and forgetfulness
Irregular menstrual cycles
Weight gain, especially around the midsection
Low libido or vaginal dryness
These symptoms are often due to hormonal imbalances, specifically involving estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol. For many women, navigating this hormonal maze without guidance can feel overwhelming.
The Turning Point: Physiologic Hormone Therapy
For complex cases like this, hormones are not the only solution, but they can be the catalyst for transformation. I knew that if we could restore her hormonal balance, we could give her the resiliency she needed to tackle the deeper metabolic, immune, and toxicity issues.
So, we introduced Physiologic Hormone Restoration Therapy (PHRT)Ⓡ—a therapy that mimics the body’s natural hormone rhythms, rather than static doses of synthetic hormones. But we didn’t stop there. We also assessed her mitochondrial function, gut health, and nutrient status, making sure to support her body holistically while she transitioned into this new phase of life.
Within a short time, her symptoms began to shift. Her energy returned, her brain fog lifted, and for the first time in years, she felt like herself again.
What Makes PHRT® Different?
PHRT® stands out because it works with your body’s natural hormone fluctuations rather than against them. Here’s what makes it unique:
Bioidentical hormones: These are molecularly identical to your body’s own hormones.
Rhythmic dosing: Mimics the natural ebb and flow of hormones, rather than providing static levels.
Topical delivery: Often used to bypass the digestive system and liver, reducing side effects.
Adrenal support: Especially important for women whose cortisol has been chronically elevated or depleted.
This approach, combined with functional medicine strategies, helps create lasting, balanced hormone health—not a temporary fix.
How Do You Know If You’re a Good Candidate for Physiologic Hormone Restoration Therapy?
If you’re experiencing multiple symptoms and not getting relief through lifestyle changes alone, it may be time to evaluate your hormones.
We recommend:
Saliva or urine hormone testing (like the DUTCH test) to measure free hormone levels and cortisol rhythm
Blood testing for metabolic and thyroid markers
A full intake to evaluate stress, toxin exposure, and lifestyle habits
You may be a candidate for PHRT® if:
You’ve been feeling “off” despite doing all the right things
You struggle with fatigue, mood issues, or sleep disruption
You want a natural alternative to synthetic hormones
You’re seeking personalized, root-cause-based care
The Results: A Life-Changing Shift
Within just six weeks, she felt like a completely different person.
🌟 Her sleep improved dramatically.
🌟 Her mood stabilized, and she felt emotionally resilient.
🌟 Lethargy and fatigue diminished.
🌟 Her skin took on a youthful glow—rosier, more vibrant, and full of life.
🌟 She finally felt in control of her body again.
For a woman who had spent years in a downward spiral of exhaustion, confusion, and frustration, this was a profound change. She told me, “I feel like I’m getting my life back.”
The Bigger Picture: More Than Just Hormones
While Physiologic Restoration was a game-changer, my approach didn’t stop there. Balancing hormones alone isn’t enough—it’s about optimizing the whole system.
This means:
✔ Supporting liver function to process hormones effectively.
✔ Improving gut health to reduce inflammation and enhance nutrient absorption.
✔ Addressing toxicity and immune dysfunction to reduce the body’s stress load.
✔ Fine-tuning metabolic health to ensure long-term vitality.
Hormones work best when they are part of a comprehensive strategy, not a standalone fix.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Physiologic Hormone Restoration Therapy (PHRT)Ⓡ
This case is a powerful reminder that hormones, when used appropriately, can be life-changing. But they are not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Every patient is unique, and it takes clinical skill to tailor the right approach—balancing hormone therapy with lifestyle, nutrition, and detoxification strategies.
If you’re a practitioner, my advice is this: Think beyond the numbers. Look at the whole patient. Physiologic Restoration is an incredible tool, but it works best when combined with a holistic, patient-centered approach.
Perimenopause doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending maze. With the right care, women can not only reduce symptoms—they can thrive. Our approach to perimenopause hormone therapy is deeply personalized and rooted in compassion, science, and respect for the body’s wisdom.
For our patient, the transformation was life-changing. She reclaimed her health and reconnected with her vitality. And she’s not alone.
If you’re a woman struggling with perimenopause, fatigue, mood swings, or feeling like your body is aging too fast, know this: You don’t have to suffer. There are solutions that work with your body, not against it.
I’m honored to share my experience and knowledge to help others reclaim their health and vitality. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in functional medicine.
If you suspect hormone imbalances are impacting your quality of life, we invite you to take the next step.
