Hi, I’m Dr. Stasha-Gae Roberts, nurse practitioner and owner of Compassion Primary Care. I’m also a 46-year-old woman who is closer to menopause than not. My own journey through hormone changes and perimenopause has been humbling, and I want to share my story to let other women in the Tampa Bay area know that you’re not alone—and that there is help.
Over six years ago, I had a hysterectomy with removal of my left ovary after years of fibroids, ovarian cysts, and painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Like many women, I spent much of my reproductive life on and off birth control to suppress symptoms.
During college, maintaining my weight was easy, but after starting birth control, I noticed weight gain despite exercising 4–5 times a week while on active duty in the Army. Now in perimenopause, I find losing weight is much harder—and sometimes it feels like I gain just by looking at carbs. As a clinician who encourages healthy habits, this was frustrating, but it also gave me empathy. I know what it feels like to eat well, exercise, and still struggle.
What Exactly Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause can begin 5–10 years before menopause (defined as 12 months without a period). During this stage, fluctuating estrogen and progesterone cause a wide variety of symptoms, including:
- Weight gain (especially around the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs)
- Hair thinning or loss
- Bloating and fluid retention
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Sleep problems and night sweats
- Anxiety or mood changes
- Hot flashes and heart palpitations
- Skin changes like dryness and wrinkles
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Bone loss and joint discomfort
In addition, many women experience estrogen dominance, which can worsen fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis. Thyroid disorders—like hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s—are also common and often overlooked, despite contributing to fatigue, weight changes, and hair loss.
Why So Many Women Don’t Get the Right Help
Unfortunately, perimenopause and menopause remain poorly addressed in conventional medicine. Too often, symptoms are dismissed as “normal aging” or managed with antidepressants, anxiety medications, or birth control pills, rather than identifying and treating the root cause.
I experienced this firsthand. When I struggled with fibroids and cysts, no one discussed my hormones with me. Instead, I was given quick fixes that never truly addressed what was happening inside my body.
Taking a Holistic, Integrative Approach
At Compassion Primary Care, I guide women through midlife with a comprehensive, root-cause approach to perimenopause and menopause symptoms. My process includes:
- In-depth consultations – I meet with patients in person (often at home) or virtually, reviewing their complete health history and symptoms.
- Thorough lab testing – Beyond hormones, I evaluate cortisol, thyroid, vitamin D, magnesium, insulin resistance, and cholesterol, all of which affect hormone balance and metabolism.
- Personalized treatment plans – Tailored strategies may include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), nutrition, lifestyle changes, and stress support.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)?
Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived (from soy or yams) and chemically identical to human hormones. This allows them to mimic the body’s natural function. They differ from synthetic hormones, like those used in the original Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, which relied on horse-derived estrogen and progestin—causing widespread fear and confusion about hormone therapy.
Fortunately, modern research shows that starting hormone therapy within 5–10 years of menopause can:
- Reduce hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings
- Support bone and heart health
- Lower the risk of osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, and cognitive decline
When carefully monitored, BHRT is safe and effective, especially when combined with nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
You Don’t Have to Suffer in Silence
I know firsthand how frustrating and isolating perimenopause can feel. My mission is to help women in the Tampa Bay area feel heard, understood, and supported through this transition.
If you’re struggling with weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, or hormonal imbalance, you don’t have to keep pushing through without answers.
I offer free 15-minute virtual consultations with no obligation. Together, we’ll create a personalized plan to help you feel like yourself again, reduce future health risks, and embrace this next chapter of life with confidence.
Click here to book your free consult
Nursing your journey to lasting wellness.
Dr. Stasha-Gae Roberts, DNP, MPH, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
