Perimenopause & Menopause Care in St. Catharines

If you’re in your 40s and suddenly not sleeping, snapping at everyone, gaining weight around the middle, or waking up drenched at 3 a.m. — you’re not imagining it, and you’re not “just getting older.” You’re likely in perimenopause: the years-long transition before menopause when estrogen and progesterone start fluctuating.

Most women are told to just push through it. I don’t think you should have to.

Common signs of perimenopause

Irregular or heavier periods
Hot flashes and night sweats
Broken sleep or waking between 2–4 a.m.
Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
Brain fog and trouble concentrating
Weight gain, especially around the waist
Lower libido and vaginal dryness
Thinning hair or adult acne

You don’t need all of these to be in perimenopause. Even a few, showing up together in your 40s, tell a story.

How I work

My job is to figure out what’s actually going on in your body — not hand you a one-size-fits-all protocol.

We start with a thorough intake. Your symptoms, your cycle history, your sleep, stress, digestion, diet — the full picture. Hormones don’t operate in isolation, so I don’t assess them that way.

We review your labs. Bring any recent bloodwork. If testing would help clarify things, we’ll discuss what makes sense for your situation.

You get a personalized plan. Nutrition, targeted supplements where appropriate, lifestyle foundations (sleep, stress, movement), and — when it’s a fit — a conversation about bioidentical hormone therapy. Every recommendation is explained in plain language, and you decide what you’re comfortable with.

Why naturopathic care for menopause

Conventional care often offers two options: wait it out, or synthetic hormones. There’s a middle ground — careful investigation, foundational support, and individualized treatment — and that’s where I practice.

I’m Dr. Tara Clapp, a naturopathic doctor in St. Catharines, Ontario, focused on women’s hormones and healthy aging. This is what I do every day.