Nourishment before more formulas
Begin with regular meals, enough energy and protein, varied plants, and hydration suited to your health. Consider what is missing before layering on products.
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01 / The introduction
Thoughtful support for the changing female body.
Thoughtful support for the changing female body.


02 / A note from Dr. Michele
Perimenopause asks us to pay attention. To the nights that feel different. The shifting rhythms. The woman we are becoming. I begin with nourishment, rest, movement, and listening to the body in front of me.
This is my personal edit of the botanicals and nutritional formulas I consider through a naturopathic and functional medicine lens, with room for strength, pleasure, and feeling at home in yourself.
03 / Begin with the foundations
Begin with regular meals, enough energy and protein, varied plants, and hydration suited to your health. Consider what is missing before layering on products.
Sleep, daylight, movement that fits your capacity, and supportive relationships belong in the first conversation. Look at the demands placed on your body and the recovery available to it.
Consider relevant exposures, irritants, personal-care products, and the routines shaping your symptoms. Change what is meaningful and practical; an elaborate routine is not the goal.
Review symptoms, current medicines, allergies, pregnancy or preconception plans, and existing results. A test or formula should answer a real question or support a clear need.
04 / Inside the Edit
These are distinct options to consider individually. Explore the preparation before deciding what belongs in your care.
01 / NOURISH
A nutritional starting point, chosen around your food, your history, and what you already take.
02 / ENERGY & BONE
I include creatine here for cellular energy and mitochondrial support: it helps replenish ATP, the energy your cells use. Osteo-K is the bone-health selection.
03 / FEMININE ECOLOGY
Botanical tradition and the microbiome both have a place in my approach to the changing female body.
04 / THE INNER LIFE
Mood, sleep, and the demands of everyday life deserve their own conversation. This selection belongs within that individual assessment.
05 / The science behind my selections
Needed
The formulation. A creatine monohydrate powder.
The physiology. Creatine increases the muscle phosphocreatine pool, helping rapidly replenish ATP during short, demanding efforts; it is best considered alongside progressive strength work.
The human evidence. Human evidence for strength and training support is stronger than lifespan claims. A small six-week trial in perimenopausal women reported exploratory sleep-consistency and symptom findings with exercise; cognitive reaction-time changes did not differ between groups. This is not proof of cognitive rejuvenation or hormone balancing.
Individual considerations. Review kidney disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding and the full health history before use. Tell the clinician interpreting kidney blood tests that creatine is being taken; use the current product label rather than adding a generic loading protocol.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →Gaia Herbs Pro
Asparagus racemosus
Plant part
Confirm the plant part on the current manufacturer label.
Preparation
Multi-herb capsules with standardized shatavari extract
An Ayurvedic rasayana traditionally associated with reproductive health.
Important constituents. Steroidal saponins known as shatavarins; the listed formula contains additional botanicals.
Small short-term trials of specific root extracts, including Aspurūs, report menopausal symptom improvement. They do not validate the complete Gaia multi-herb blend or establish long-term safety and hormone effects.
Review asparagus allergy, hormone-sensitive conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding and all medicines. Safety review must cover every formula ingredient rather than shatavari alone; a current full label is needed.
Manufacturer highlights Aspurūs shatavari plus damiana, white peony, milky oats and tribulus. This is not a complete verified ingredient panel; catalog descriptions also mention rehmannia and epimedium. Do not label as single-herb or transfer ingredient-trial efficacy to the blend.
The formulation. A shatavari-root extract blend with supporting botanicals including damiana, white peony, milky oats and tribulus.
The physiology. Shatavari is used traditionally in Ayurveda for women’s health; its steroidal saponins and other compounds are being studied for menopausal support.
The human evidence. Small ingredient studies and traditional use do not establish that this entire blend reliably relieves vaginal dryness or all menopausal symptoms.
Individual considerations. The product is not for pregnancy or lactation. Review hormone-sensitive conditions, medications and persistent vaginal discomfort with the clinician; symptoms may need a specific diagnosis and treatment.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →Needed
The formulation. A multivitamin and mineral formula containing B vitamins, vitamins D and K2, iodine, choline and other nutrients.
The physiology. It provides nutritional cofactors for normal energy metabolism, thyroid function and tissue maintenance when food intake leaves gaps.
The human evidence. Correcting a deficiency can matter, but a multivitamin does not establish hormone balance or treat every cause of fatigue, brain fog or menopausal symptoms.
Individual considerations. Choose it as an alternative to another broad multivitamin, including the Perelel pack. Review total vitamin D, B6 and iodine, thyroid conditions, and vitamin K with warfarin.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →Perelel
The formulation. A daily pack combining a multivitamin, EPA/DHA fish oil, a carnitine/green-tea/berberine capsule, and a peri complex with ashwagandha, DIM and rhubarb extract.
The physiology. The formulas combine nutrient coverage with botanicals studied for stress or menopausal symptoms and compounds involved in metabolic signaling.
The human evidence. The manufacturer reports a sponsored six-week placebo-controlled trial with stress findings and exploratory sleep/tiredness findings. This short study does not establish long-term outcomes, hormone normalization or that every component is needed.
Individual considerations. The current pack contains fish and 4,000 IU vitamin D; review other vitamin D and multivitamin products. Botanical and medication review matters, particularly with thyroid, glucose or anticoagulant treatment and pregnancy possibility.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →Vitanica
The formulation. An oral Lactobacillus probiotic with five strains, including L. acidophilus LA14 and L. plantarum LP115.
The physiology. The selected organisms are intended to support gastrointestinal and vaginal microbial ecology through oral supplementation.
The human evidence. Benefits depend on the particular strain and clinical setting. Oral use does not guarantee vaginal colonization or prevention of urinary or vaginal infection.
Individual considerations. Take only by the oral route on the label; this is different from V-Probiotics vaginal suppositories. Review live-microbe products in severe illness or immunocompromise, and assess recurrent symptoms rather than relying on a probiotic alone.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →NBI
The formulation. A bone-focused combination of calcium citrate, vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 as MK-4.
The physiology. Calcium supplies mineral substrate, vitamin D supports calcium absorption, and vitamin K participates in the activation of bone-related proteins.
The human evidence. Ingredient studies do not mean this combination prevents every fracture or replaces bone-density assessment, strength and balance work, or treatment when indicated.
Individual considerations. The manufacturer says people taking warfarin should not use Osteo-K. Review calcium and vitamin D totals, kidney disease or stones, and medicines affected by calcium absorption. Osteo-K, Osteo-K Minis and MK4 are distinct products.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →BrainMD
The formulation. A formula containing saffron extract, 5-HTP, folate and vitamins B6 and B12.
The physiology. 5-HTP is a serotonin precursor; the B vitamins serve as metabolic cofactors, while saffron extracts have been studied for mood symptoms.
The human evidence. Ingredient studies do not diagnose a serotonin deficiency or prove that this complete formula treats depression or perimenopausal mood changes.
Individual considerations. The label says not to use with antidepressants or MAO inhibitors and does not recommend use during pregnancy or nursing. Other serotonergic medicines or supplements also require a pharmacist review because combining them can be unsafe. Do not stop prescribed treatment to use the product.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →BrainMD
The formulation. A portable LED light-therapy device with white and blue modes and manufacturer-stated brightness up to 10,000 lux.
The physiology. Timed bright light acts through the eyes to influence circadian timing and can support treatment of seasonal mood symptoms.
The human evidence. Clinical evidence concerns light therapy under defined conditions; it does not establish that this particular device corrects hormones or treats every type of insomnia or low mood.
Individual considerations. Follow the device-specific distance and timing instructions rather than staring into the light. The manufacturer advises medical review for retinal disease or photosensitizing medicines; mood activation or bipolar history also warrants clinician guidance.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →Timeline
The formulation. A topical serum with Mitopure urolithin A, a vitamin C derivative, niacinamide, panthenol and other supporting skin ingredients.
The physiology. The formulation combines moisturization and barrier-support ingredients with urolithin A, a compound studied for mitochondrial quality-control pathways.
The human evidence. Skin research concerns selected appearance and biological measurements; it does not demonstrate longer human life or prove that topical treatment reverses systemic aging. Early product research should not be represented as established long-term clinical benefit.
Individual considerations. Use externally, avoid eyes, and patch-test if skin is sensitive. Stop for persistent irritation. The serum is not a replacement for sunscreen and routine sun protection.
VIEW PRODUCT ON FULLSCRIPT →06 / Functional laboratory testing
The changing female body deserves more than a hormone snapshot. Begin with cycle history, nourishment, sleep, symptoms, and the daily conditions shaping your health.
01 / THYROID & NOURISHMENT
Discuss thyroid assessment, CBC, ferritin, or selected nutrient tests when history and symptoms justify them. Blood tests should answer a specific question about fatigue, bleeding, intake, or absorption; they are not a reason to order every available nutrient panel.
02 / CYCLE & HORMONES
Timed reproductive hormones may clarify selected questions. In otherwise healthy people aged 45 or older with typical symptoms, perimenopause is usually identified clinically. A single estrogen or FSH result can miss cycle-to-cycle variation.
03 / METABOLIC HEALTH
Glucose assessment and cardiovascular risk review can be more useful than repeatedly measuring fluctuating sex hormones. A1c reflects longer-term glycemia but may be misleading with anemia or altered red-cell turnover.
04 / FEMININE ECOLOGY
Vaginal testing may be considered for persistent or recurrent symptoms. Pair findings with tissue health, symptoms, examination, and a review of recent products or antimicrobials.
07 / Shop the Edit
Fullscript shows the current formulation, price, availability and account offer. Review the label and select individual products; the collection is not intended to be taken in its entirety.
SHOP THE COLLECTION08 / The physician behind the Edit
09 / Related reading & collections
Creatine can support the muscle conversation alongside resistance exercise and adequate nutrition. Evidence does not make it a treatment for every perimenopause symptom. Review the formulation, kidney history, and existing medicines with your clinician.
No. Review nutrient overlap and individual dietary needs. These selections are alternatives or targeted options rather than a single daily protocol.
Hormones fluctuate. Age, cycle changes, symptoms, medicines, and the clinical history often matter more than a single measurement. The Women’s Health Lab Edit explains what the selected panels measure and their limits.
10 / Research & references
Individual preparation references appear with each selection. Traditional uses and laboratory findings are distinguished from human clinical evidence. These educational collections do not establish a physician–patient relationship. Purchases through the Fullscript links may financially support my practice.