Episode 19: How to Fix the Root Causes of Menopause Symptoms (Before Starting HRT) with Dr. Deanna Minich

Are your symptoms really “just your hormones”—or is your body asking you to go deeper? In this episode, Brigid sits down with internationally recognized nutrition scientist Dr Deanna Minich to unpack hormone replacement therapy (HRT), perimenopause, and menopause through a functional medicine lens. You’ll learn why hot flashes, brain fog, fatigue, and body composition changes aren’t simply a hormone deficiency problem—and how nutrition, gut health, inflammation, and your endocrine system all shape your hormone health at midlife and beyond. What You’ll Learn In This Episode Why jumping straight to hormone replacement therapy can miss the root cause How the endocrine system actually works in women’s health The connection between menopause, chronic inflammation, and musculoskeletal pain How nutrition, phytonutrients, and an anti-inflammatory diet support hormones What Femmenessence and maca phenotypes are—and how they may support hormone balance Why fiber, gut health, and mineral status (like magnesium and iron) are non-negotiables How functional medicine lab testing can personalize your hormone and nutrition plan Simple ways to improve energy, support blood sugar, and eat for longevity Timestamps 03:10 – Why “it must be my hormones” is an incomplete story 06:30 – The endocrine system explained: thyroid, adrenals, ovaries & brain 11:40 – HRT as “shiny object”: what it helps and what it doesn’t 13:30 – Feminessence, maca phenotypes & supporting hormone balance naturally 20:20 – Perimenopause, menopause, and why personalization in hormone care matters 27:30 – Phytonutrients, inflammation & the power of eating the rainbow 34:00 – Why diet diversity, fiber & gut health shape women’s health outcomes 39:50 – Omega-3s, hydration, minerals & hormone-related symptoms 46:20 – Iron, fatigue & why lab interpretation needs a nuanced approach 51:50 – If you do one thing for your health, make it this 57:15 – Food as medicine, connection, spirituality & how we relate to eating 1:00:10 – Where to find Dr. Minich and learn more about her work Next Steps & Links If this conversation helped you think differently about perimenopause, menopause, and hormone health, share it with a friend who needs more than a band-aid approach. And if you’re ready to lean into functional nutrition, gut health, and root-cause healing, be sure to follow along for more episodes. Watch the full episode on YouTube Brigid’s Website Brigid’s Instagram Dr Deanna Minich’s Website Dr Deanna Minich’s Certification Program Dr Deanna Minich’s Facebook Dr Deanna Minich’s Instagram Dr Deanna Minich’s YouTube Discover Feminessence