Menopause Treatment
Menopause & Perimenopause Treatment in Calgary
Personalized Hormone Health, Functional Medicine & Menopause Support
Feel Like Yourself Again During Perimenopause and Menopause
Are you experiencing unexplained weight gain, difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, mood changes, fatigue, brain fog, or changes in your menstrual cycle?
Menopause is a natural transition, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle through disruptive symptoms without support.
At Gaia Health Care in Calgary, Dr. Marnie Wachtler, ND, provides individualized naturopathic consultations to help women understand their hormonal changes, explore treatment options, and improve their quality of life.
With 20 years of clinical experience and advanced functional medicine training, Dr. Wachtler takes a comprehensive approach to women’s hormonal health.
Book a Complimentary 15-Minute Consultation
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is a natural biological milestone marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, provided there is no other medical explanation.
The average age of menopause is approximately 51, although hormonal changes can begin years earlier.
During this transition, fluctuating and declining reproductive hormones can influence sleep, metabolism, mood, body composition, and sexual health.
Common Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause
Every woman’s experience is different. Some experience mild symptoms, while others notice significant changes in daily life.
Common symptoms include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Difficulty sleeping or waking during the night
- Weight gain and changes in body composition
- Fatigue and low energy
- Anxiety, irritability, and mood changes
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Reduced libido
- Joint pain and headaches
These symptoms may begin during perimenopause, even while menstrual periods remain relatively regular.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, during which hormone levels fluctuate and menstrual cycles may become irregular.
It commonly begins in a woman’s 40s but can occur earlier.
Perimenopause may last several years and can affect sleep, mood, energy, menstrual patterns, and overall well-being.
Early menopause is different from perimenopause. Early menopause refers to menopause occurring before age 45, while menopause before age 40 requires assessment for premature ovarian insufficiency.
Personalized Hormone Assessment and Testing
At Gaia Health Care, we recognize that menopause is more than a change in estrogen levels. Sleep quality, thyroid health, metabolic function, nutrition, cardiovascular health, and emotional well-being may all influence how a woman experiences this transition.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, an individualized assessment may consider:
- Menstrual cycle changes and reproductive history
- Thyroid function
- Estradiol, progesterone, or other reproductive hormones when clinically indicated
- Blood glucose, insulin resistance risk, and metabolic health
- Cardiovascular risk factors and cholesterol
- Iron, vitamin B12, and other nutritional markers when indicated
- Sleep quality, stress, and lifestyle factors
Hormone testing is important to assess and diagnose typical perimenopause or menopause in women. Because hormone levels fluctuate, measurements are important to understand the effect menopausal status.
Menopause Treatment Options in Calgary
Your treatment plan is tailored to your symptoms, medical history, personal preferences, and long-term health goals.
Depending on your needs, care may include:
Hormonal Health Assessment
Evaluation of symptoms, menstrual history, relevant laboratory results, and appropriate treatment options.
Nutrition and Metabolic Health
Individualized nutritional strategies to support healthy body composition, blood sugar regulation, muscle health, and cardiovascular wellness.
Sleep and Stress Support
Practical, evidence-informed interventions to improve sleep quality and address stress-related symptoms.
Natural and Integrative Therapies
Consideration of targeted nutritional supplementation and botanical therapies when appropriate, including discussion of evidence, safety, and potential medication interactions.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy Education
Discussion of the potential benefits and risks of menopausal hormone therapy, with referral or collaboration with an appropriate prescribing clinician when indicated.
Long-Term Health and Longevity
Preventive strategies focused on bone health, cardiovascular risk reduction, metabolic wellness, muscle strength, and healthy aging.
Meet Dr. Marnie Wachtler, ND
Experienced Calgary Naturopathic Doctor Specializing in Women’s Hormonal Health
Dr. Marnie Wachtler, ND, AFMC
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor | Advanced Functional Medicine Clinician
Dr. Marnie Wachtler has been practising naturopathic medicine in Calgary since 2006, with more than 20 years of clinical experience supporting patients through complex health concerns and hormonal transitions.
Her clinical interests include women’s hormonal health, perimenopause, menopause, thyroid disorders, metabolic health, digestive wellness, and healthy aging.
Dr. Wachtler combines naturopathic medicine with advanced functional medicine training to provide individualized, evidence-informed care.
Education and Professional Credentials
- Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine — Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, 2006
- Biological Sciences — University of Calgary, 2002
- Advanced Functional Medicine Certification — Two-year advanced training
- Clinical Mastership Training — Dr. Datis Kharrazian
- Former Registered Massage Therapist — Rocky Mountain School of Massage Therapy
Dr. Wachtler is a member of the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta (CNDA) and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).
Convenient Calgary Locations
Downtown Calgary — Eau Claire
Gaia Health Care & Gaia Health Infusions at Eau Claire Athletic Club.
Northwest Calgary — Silver Springs
Private naturopathic consultation office in Northwest Calgary.
Virtual consultations are also available.
Learn more about Dr. Wachtler’s professional experience, education, and clinical philosophy:
Our Clinical Approach: Looking Beyond Menopause Symptoms
A Comprehensive and Individualized Approach to Midlife Hormonal Health
One of the most important aspects of menopause care is understanding that symptoms rarely occur in isolation.
Women may seek care for insomnia, fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, or hot flashes without initially recognizing how hormonal changes may be contributing.
At Gaia Health Care, Dr. Wachtler considers the interaction between hormonal changes, thyroid function, metabolic health, nutritional status, sleep, and daily lifestyle.
How Dr. Wachtler Assesses Menopause Symptoms
- Understanding Your Hormonal History
We begin with a detailed discussion of your menstrual history, symptom progression, sleep quality, mood, energy, and general health.
This helps identify patterns that may be consistent with perimenopause or menopause.
- Identifying Other Contributors to Symptoms
Fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, and insomnia may overlap with thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, sleep disorders, medication effects, and metabolic conditions.
Where appropriate, we investigate these possibilities rather than attributing every symptom to menopause.
- Selecting Appropriate Laboratory Investigations
Laboratory testing is individualized. We consider whether results are likely to clarify a diagnosis, identify another health concern, or influence treatment decisions.
- Developing Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Together, we establish a care plan that may include nutritional changes, resistance exercise, sleep strategies, symptom management, supplements when appropriate, and discussion of medical treatment options.
- Monitoring Progress and Long-Term Health
Follow-up consultations allow us to review symptom changes, assess treatment response, and adjust your care plan over time.
Our focus extends beyond immediate symptom management to long-term cardiovascular, metabolic, bone, and overall health.
A Clinical Perspective from Dr. Wachtler
Menopause is not simply about declining hormones. It is an important transition that can affect sleep, metabolism, mood, and overall well-being. My approach is to understand the individual woman, identify factors contributing to her symptoms, and develop a personalized strategy that supports both her current health and long-term vitality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause and Perimenopause
1. What is the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. During this stage, hormone levels fluctuate and menstrual periods may become irregular.
Menopause is confirmed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation, when there is no other medical explanation.
2. What age does perimenopause usually begin?
Perimenopause commonly begins in the 40s, although some women experience symptoms earlier. The duration and severity of symptoms vary considerably.
3. Do I need hormone testing to know if I am in menopause?
Not necessarily.
For most women over 45, menopause and perimenopause are assessed using symptoms, age, and menstrual history.
Hormone testing may be appropriate in selected circumstances, particularly with suspected early menopause, unusual symptoms, or other hormonal concerns.
4. Can a naturopathic doctor help with menopause symptoms?
A naturopathic doctor can provide individualized assessment, nutritional and lifestyle counselling, and discussion of appropriate integrative treatment options.
At Gaia Health Care, Dr. Wachtler also evaluates whether symptoms may be related to other health concerns and recommends medical collaboration when necessary.
5. What treatment options are available for menopause?
Options may include lifestyle modifications, nutritional support, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, nonhormonal prescription medications, and menopausal hormone therapy where appropriate.
Some complementary therapies may also be considered, although their effectiveness varies and many have limited evidence for specific menopause symptoms.
Treatment choices should reflect individual symptoms, medical history, risks, and preferences.
6. Can menopause cause weight gain?
Changes in estrogen levels, aging, muscle mass, sleep, and activity can influence weight distribution and body composition.
Menopause is often associated with increased abdominal fat, but weight changes may have several contributing factors.
An individualized assessment can help identify practical nutritional, exercise, and metabolic health strategies.
7. Why am I waking up at 3 a.m. during perimenopause?
Sleep disturbances are common during perimenopause and menopause.
Night sweats, hormonal changes, stress, mood symptoms, and underlying sleep disorders can contribute to nighttime awakenings.
Identifying the cause is important because effective treatment depends on what is disrupting sleep.
8. Can menopause affect thyroid function?
Menopause does not necessarily cause thyroid disease, but symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, mood changes, and sleep difficulties can overlap with thyroid disorders.
Thyroid testing may be recommended when symptoms or medical history suggest an underlying thyroid condition.
9. When should I seek medical assessment for menopause symptoms?
Consider an assessment when symptoms interfere with sleep, work, relationships, or daily quality of life.
You should also seek medical evaluation for:
- Menopause-like symptoms before age 40
- Persistent or unusually heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding after 12 consecutive months without a period
- Significant new mood symptoms
- Severe fatigue or other unexplained health changes
Postmenopausal bleeding should always be medically assessed, even if it occurs only once.
10. Are natural menopause treatments effective?
Some lifestyle approaches, including exercise, sleep strategies, and cognitive behavioural therapy, can improve aspects of health and well-being during menopause.
Evidence for many herbal remedies and supplements is limited or inconsistent, particularly for hot flashes.
Dr. Wachtler can help evaluate the potential benefits, risks, and suitability of complementary options as part of an individualized care plan.
11. Can I still experience menopause symptoms after my periods stop?
Yes. Hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms can continue into postmenopause.
The duration varies between individuals, and effective management options remain available.
12. Can I book a menopause consultation virtually?
Yes. Gaia Health Care offers virtual naturopathic consultations as well as in-person appointments at its Calgary locations.
Start Your Menopause Health Journey
Menopause is a new chapter, and it can be an opportunity to invest in your health, strength, confidence, and longevity.
Whether you are experiencing early perimenopause symptoms, navigating menopause, or seeking support during postmenopause, Gaia Health Care offers individualized guidance.
Book Your Complimentary 15-Minute Consultation with Dr. Marnie Wachtler
Discover a personalized approach to menopause and hormonal health.
Gaia Health Care — Calgary, Alberta
Downtown Eau Claire | Northwest Silver Springs | Virtual Consultations
Dr. Marnie Wachtler, ND — Supporting Women’s Hormonal Health Since 2006