You may be in a stage where your body doesn’t feel as predictable as it once did, your cycles change, your energy dips, and symptoms like mood swings or night sweats make daily life harder. “Is this just stress, thyroid, or perimenopause?” It’s frustrating when symptoms pile up and you’re left piecing together answers on your own.
At Hilltop Endocrinology, Dr. Kehinde Folawewo provides specialized perimenopause care rooted in endocrinology. By looking at the full hormone picture, including thyroid, adrenal, and metabolic health, she creates treatment plans designed to relieve symptoms and support your overall well-being.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause. During these years, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate more than they used to, which can cause irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep changes, mood shifts, and differences in weight distribution or metabolism. Perimenopause often begins in your 40s (sometimes late 30s) and ends when you have gone 12 months without a period, which marks menopause.
It’s also true that not every midlife symptom is “just hormones.” Thyroid conditions, insulin resistance, and other endocrine issues can mimic or magnify perimenopausal symptoms. That’s why a targeted evaluation, one that considers both reproductive hormones and the broader endocrine system, can make such a difference in how you feel and how quickly you improve.
Why See an Endocrinologist for Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is a hormonal transition, and endocrinologists are the specialists who focus solely on hormone-related conditions. They are experts in the complex systems of the thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands, as well as metabolism and bone health, all of which are integral to perimenopause.
This specialized focus ensures your symptoms are understood in the full context of your hormonal health, ruling out other conditions that mimic perimenopause, like thyroid disorders.
Symptoms & Concerns We Treat
Perimenopause looks different for everyone. The list below validates what you’re experiencing and prioritizes the issues that matter most to you first.
- Hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt work, sleep, and daily comfort. We help you reduce frequency and intensity with hormonal or non‑hormonal options.
- Irregular or heavy periods can be stressful and inconvenient. We review patterns and coordinate additional gynecologic evaluation if bleeding is excessive or atypical.
- Sleep disturbance and fatigue can drain your energy. We target nighttime symptoms and adjust medications and routines to restore more consistent rest.
- Mood changes, anxiety, and “brain fog” can affect focus and relationships. We address hormonal drivers and consider safe, effective therapies to stabilize mood and cognition.
- Weight gain and midsection changes often reflect insulin resistance. We monitor metabolic markers and create a sustainable plan for nutrition, activity, and, when appropriate, medications.
- Thyroid‑related symptoms can overlap with perimenopause. We test and treat thyroid disorders when present, so you’re not managing two problems at once.
- Headaches or migraines may shift with hormone changes. We coordinate strategies that respect your migraine triggers and treatment history.
- Vaginal dryness, discomfort with intimacy, and urinary changes are common. We discuss local therapies that improve tissue health with minimal systemic effects.
- Bone density loss can begin silently. We assess risk and protect your bones with lifestyle guidance and medications when indicated.
Dr. Kehinde Folawewo’s Evaluation Approach
Dr. Folawewo begins by listening to your unique story. She then integrates your symptoms with targeted testing to confirm a perimenopause pattern and rule out other issues. This comprehensive method ensures an accurate diagnosis.
- Hormone Level Analysis: We use targeted labs, interpreting levels of hormones like FSH and estradiol in the context of your specific symptoms and cycle history.
- Thyroid Function Testing: We assess thyroid health with essential panels, starting with TSH and Free T4, to ensure thyroid issues aren’t contributing to your symptoms.
- Metabolic Health Screening: We check key indicators like A1C, fasting glucose, and lipid levels to identify metabolic shifts and create tailored strategies for weight, nutrition, and overall wellness.
- Bone Health Assessment: We evaluate risk factors and check Vitamin D levels, ordering a DXA bone density scan when appropriate, to establish a baseline for long-term bone health.
- Targeted Additional Testing: If your symptoms suggest it, we conduct further investigation into pituitary or adrenal function to ensure your diagnosis and treatment plan are precise and complete.
Your Treatment Plan
No two people experience perimenopause in the same way, which is why we don’t take a “standard” approach. Dr. Folawewo will sit down with you, go over your symptoms and health history, and then a treatment plan will be created accordingly:
- Hormone Therapy: For many women, carefully prescribed estrogen, often through the skin, combined with progesterone when needed, can ease hot flashes, regulate sleep, and stabilize mood. Dr. Folawewo takes time to explain the benefits and risks so you feel comfortable with the decision.
- Local Vaginal Estrogen: If dryness or urinary symptoms are front and center, a small-dose local estrogen treatment can bring back comfort without affecting the rest of your body.
- Non-Hormonal Options: Hormones aren’t right for everyone. There are safe, non-hormonal medications that can calm hot flashes, help you sleep more soundly, and reduce mood swings. These are always discussed openly, so you know your choices.
- Thyroid and Metabolic Care: If your thyroid or blood sugar is part of the picture, as it often is during midlife, we’ll treat those issues head-on. Balancing these systems can make a big difference in how you feel day to day.
- Protecting Your Bones: Perimenopause is a key time to think about bone health. Simple steps like checking vitamin D, adjusting calcium intake, and engaging in weight-bearing exercise go a long way. If your bone density shows risk, we’ll talk through additional treatment options.
Personalized Perimenopause Care at Hilltop Endocrinology
If you’re struggling with perimenopause symptoms or need clarity on what’s happening with your hormones, Hilltop Endocrinology is here to help. With Dr. Kehinde Folawewo’s expertise, we provide perimenopause care for patients in Oxon Hill and nearby communities, including National Harbor, Fort Washington, and Temple Hills. Call (301) 567-9570 or click here to book your appointment today.
About Dr. Kehinde Folawewo
Dr. Kehinde Folawewo, the founder of Hilltop Endocrinology, is a double-board-certified endocrinologist who completed specialized fellowship training. She is recognized for her ability to explain complex issues with clarity, her dedication to careful listening, and for creating treatment plans that are both evidence-based and practical. Patients value her thorough approach, her collaborative style in making decisions, and her commitment to achieving meaningful relief, especially in complex cases.
Frequently Asked Question
An endocrinologist is an ideal choice as they are hormone specialists. They can provide a comprehensive diagnosis and manage the full range of hormonal and metabolic changes.
An endocrinologist is an ideal choice as they are hormone specialists. They can provide a comprehensive diagnosis and manage the full range of hormonal and metabolic changes.
What is the best option for perimenopause?
The best option depends on your needs, which is why a personalized treatment plan from a specialist is necessary. This may include lifestyle changes, non-hormonal medications, or hormone therapy, depending on your specific symptoms and health profile.
What is the doctor's treatment for perimenopause?
Treatment is tailored to your needs and can range from lifestyle and nutritional guidance to medications for specific symptoms. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is often considered the most effective option for relieving multiple hormonal symptoms.