Perimenopause and Menopause Support in Essen

The Power of Anticipation

By 2030, 1.2 billion women will reach menopause, a figure set to rise to 1.65 billion by 2050. Prior to menopause, 60-80% of women between the ages of 34 and 51 encounter perimenopausal symptoms that diminish their quality of life and work productivity. Symptoms can include everything from sleep disturbances and brain fog to anxiety and diminished energy levels. Frequently, these symptoms are not diagnosed or treated. The consequences affect families and create a substantial economic burden through missed workdays, absenteeism, and women exiting their careers.

The root cause is a decline in hormones. In addition to reproductive organs like the uterus, ovaries, and breasts, women possess Estrogen (ER) and androgen (AR) receptors in the brain, liver, kidneys, fat tissue, bones, and immune cells. These receptors play a role in regulating functions that span from bone density and metabolism to reproduction, cognitive processes, and mood.

Consider these hormones as fundamental “building blocks”. The three primary hormones are:

Progesterone aka "the calm regulator": A reduction in this hormone can lead to sleep disturbances, anxiety, and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Estrogen aka "the main character" Its depletion can affect brain function, causing memory problems and concentration difficulties, or diminish quality of life through joint pain and vasomotor symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes.
Testosterone aka the "the drive booster." A decrease in this hormone impacts motivation, sex drive, and muscle mass.

Smiling woman in black sweater representing perimenopause and menopause care

Perimenopause and Menopause: Defining The Stages

Perimenopause

Frequently referred to as “the second puberty,” this term describes the transitional phase lasting several years before menstruation ceases.

Age of Onset: Usually begins at age 34 or later.
Definition: A transitional period initiated by diminishing ovarian function.
Duration: It commonly persists for a period of 4 to 10 years.
Menstrual Cycle: Periods become unpredictable; they can be lighter, heavier, shorter, longer, or missed altogether.
Hormone Levels: Progesterone levels are the first to drop, while estrogen fluctuates erratically and testosterone shows a gradual decline. A diagnosis is typically made based on symptoms, not blood work.
Fertility: Pregnancy is still possible; continuing with your chosen method of birth control is advised.
Key Symptoms: Includes disturbed sleep, exhaustion, hot flashes, night sweats, mood fluctuations, anxiety, brain fog, joint pain or stiffness, muscle aches, vaginal dryness, reduced libido, and symptoms of depression.

Menopause

Menopause refers to a distinct moment in time that signals the conclusion of a woman's reproductive phase.

Age of Onset: It generally happens around the age of 51 (with a typical range of 45–55).
Definition: A definitive milestone confirmed after experiencing 12 straight months without a menstrual period.
Duration: It is a singular event. The period that follows this point is known as Postmenopause.
Menstrual Cycle: Menstruation has permanently stopped.
Hormone Levels: Hormone levels stabilize at a new, consistently low baseline.
Fertility: Natural pregnancy is no longer possible.
Key Symptoms & Risks: Symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness can continue. There is a heightened risk of bone density loss (osteoporosis), along with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in individuals who do not use Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Symptoms and Hormonal Shifts in Perimenopause and Menopause

Sleep Problems (50–55%): Encompasses insomnia, waking often during the night (WASO), and sleep that is not refreshing. This is caused by fluctuating progesterone (which influences GABA receptors) and low estrogen leading to night sweats. A decrease in melatonin after 40 also contributes to the problem.
Low Energy and Fatigue (~80%): Estrogen helps manage cortisol and aids mitochondrial function. A reduction in estrogen results in metabolic stress and lower cellular energy, frequently co-occurring with sleep issues.
Joint & Muscle Pain (65%): The depletion of estrogen raises levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which results in body-wide inflammation and less joint lubrication, causing stiffness or conditions like "frozen shoulder".
Brain Fog (60%): Neurons need estrogen to effectively use glucose for energy. Falling estrogen levels lead to a "hypometabolic" condition in the brain's memory areas (the hippocampus), which compromises concentration.
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats (50–55%): The hypothalamus, which acts as the body's internal thermostat, is regulated by estrogen. Decreased levels can make the brain incorrectly perceive the body as too hot, initiating abrupt cooling mechanisms.
Anxiety & Irritability (50–60%): A fall in estrogen diminishes the production of serotonin ("happiness hormone"), and lower progesterone lessens the brain's natural calming effect, resulting in heightened reactivity and mood fluctuations.
Abdominal Weight Gain (50%): The loss of estrogen elevates insulin resistance. To compensate, the body intentionally accumulates visceral fat around the abdomen in an effort to generate estrone (a type of estrogen) from these fat cells.
Vaginal Dryness & Pain (40%): Depleted estrogen levels decrease blood flow, collagen, and elasticity within the pelvic tissues, which can cause atrophy and painful intercourse (dyspareunia).
Low Libido (40–45%): This is caused by a significant drop in testosterone between the ages of 45 and 55, which is exacerbated by the physical discomfort and fatigue from low estrogen.
Depressive Symptoms (40–45%): During perimenopause, the likelihood of developing new-onset depression rises by a factor of 2 to 4, owing to estrogen's effect on the density of serotonin receptors in the brain.
Dry Skin & Urinary Problems (35–45%): These issues stem from the same reduction in collagen, moisture retention, and tissue elasticity that impacts the vaginal tissues.

Woman in her 40s experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms, wearing turquoise sweater in natural light

Modern menopause and perimenopause clinic, The Longevity Practise, with patient consultation space and wellness equipment

The Longevity Practice: Our Approach And Your Next Steps

The Longevity Practice is dedicated to identifying potential health risks through early and accurate diagnostics before they develop into serious problems. Rather than merely reacting to illness, our approach is to develop transparent, individualized strategies for sustaining long-term well-being. We aim to provide each patient with a thorough understanding of their own body, complemented by actionable steps they can implement immediately. By centering our practice on prevention and clarity, we empower patients to construct a longer and healthier life.

Our Core Principles

Our primary commitment is to help individuals feel their best, regardless of age, and to assist them in achieving longer, healthier lives. This mission is guided by our focus on several key principles:

Scientific Precision
Personalization
Prevention First
Clarity & Guidance
Long-Term Healthspan
Trust & Transparency

Note: Our methodology is centered on sustainable and non-invasive solutions. Adherence to these core principles allows us to facilitate enduring physiological adjustments and effective long-term health management.

Next Steps

Find out if our approach is the right choice for you. Reserve your consultation online and Schedule an appointment

Evidence-based Longevity In Essen

In our practice, we rely exclusively on evidence-based methods and medical diagnostics that have been scientifically proven to make a difference. Our focus is on preventing the “four horsemen” of aging—cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration—rather than offering trends like epigenetic age tests or wellness drips. Our Prevention strategy addresses tailored exercises, nutrition, sleep, mental health and if necessary support by supplement and medication.

Cost Of Perimenopause And Menopause Focus Session In Essen

The cost for a Perimenopause and Menopause Focus Session is based on the German healthcare pricing system (GOÄ – Gebührenordnung für Ärzte). We encourage you not to stop at consultation alone, but to begin your full Longevity Journey with us. Here is what our protocol looks like:

Perimenopause and Menopause Focus Session

199€

Goal: Assess menopausal stage and symptom profile to evaluate disease risk associated with hormonal decline and determine optimal clinical interventions.

Duration: 45 minutes

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Full Diagnostic Visit

1,399€

Goal: Establish a data-driven biological baseline to unlock personalized peak performance and long-term health optimization.

Duration: 3 hours

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Introduction Session

0€

Schedule a quick video call to learn more about The Longevity Practice services and approach.

Duration: 15 minutes

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Testimonials

What our customers say about us

Pia, 45 – Menopause & Brain Fog

I thought I was losing my mind. I’d forget simple words in the middle of sentences. Realizing it was just the estrogen drop was a huge relief.

Anna, 49 – Menopause & Sleep

The night sweats were brutal—I was waking up drenched and exhausted every single night. I was so irritable with my family. Once I balanced my hormones, I finally got my sleep back.

Anita, 54 – Menopause & Anxiety

Nobody told me about the sudden heart palpitations and anxiety. I felt on edge for no reason. Learning it was hormonal made so much sense.

Julia, 46 – HRT & Strength

When I saw how much muscle mass I had lost, I finally understood why I felt weaker. It took longer than I expected to get my hormone levels properly adjusted, but once they were stable, my sleep and daily energy improved dramatically. Combining this with regular strength training has made me noticeably stronger and more resilient in everyday life.

Anne, 44 – HRT & Sleep

I never realized how much my hormones were affecting my sleep until I have taken progesterone. After adjusting my therapy and tracking my sleep for six weeks, I went from waking up four or five times a night to sleeping through almost every night. It’s such a relief to finally wake up feeling rested and ready for the day.