Cost: Member: $52.50 | Student Member: $22.50 | Non-member: $97.50
Abstract: Perimenopause and menopause are increasingly recognized as critical neuroendocrine transition states, not just reproductive milestones. During this period, abrupt declines and fluctuations in estrogen and other steroid hormones can disrupt brain energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and connectivity, leading to the unmasking of previously compensated or subclinical neurocognitive and psychiatric vulnerabilities. This phenomenon explains why women may experience new or worsened depressive episodes, anxiety, subjective cognitive complaints, mild cognitive impairment, or mild behavioral impairment during the menopausal transition. Beyond psychiatric and cognitive syndromes, neurologic diseases including migraine, seizures, early Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis also demonstrate shifting patterns during perimenopause and menopause, some worsening in association with hormone withdrawal. This presentation will explore the mechanisms, risk factors, and clinical relevance of unmasking, review evidence for management strategies (including the timing and role of hormone replacement therapy) and highlight opportunities for individualized, integrative, and functional approaches to supporting brain health across the menopausal transition. Participants will leave with practical tools for identifying at-risk patients, understanding the neuroendocrine mechanisms at play, and navigating complex decision-making about HRT, pharmacological, and non-pharmacological interventions.
Presenter bios: Dr. Leslie Fuller is a compassionate and dedicated naturopathic physician specializing in the treatment of neurological disorders. A 2009 graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), Dr. Fuller brings extensive knowledge and experience to the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders, and a keen recognition of the impact these conditions can have on the whole body. Incorporating a variety of natural therapies, such as nutrition, botanical medicine, lifestyle modifications, and stress management techniques, she aims to support the body's internal healing process and optimize neurological function. Dr. Fuller is a full-time professor at the University of Western States, where she teaches Masters and Doctoral level coursework in nutrition, laboratory assessment, and differential diagnosis. She also maintains a private practice in Corvallis, Oregon, providing both in-person and virtual care.
Dr. Marsha Hamilton is a naturopathic physician licensed in both Oregon and Washington and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP). She graduated from National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in 2009 and founded Flow Natural Health Care - a women's health and menopause specialty practice in the Portland, Oregon, area. Her clinical focus is on naturopathic menopause care, hormone replacement therapy, and peri/postmenopausal athletes.