What’s Actually Happening in Your Body During Menopause — and Why “Just Aging” Is the Wrong Answer
Hot flashes are just one part of menopause. From sleep and mood to bone and heart health, learn how Dr. Ariel Brooks provides evidence-based care at Asklia in Roanoke to help women feel their best.
When most people think about menopause, hot flashes are the first thing that comes to mind. While they’re common, they’re only one part of a much larger story. Menopause affects nearly every system in the body, from sleep and mood to metabolism, bone health, and heart health.
At Asklia Concierge & Metabolic Medicine, Dr. Ariel Brooks takes a whole-person approach to perimenopause and menopause care—because every woman’s experience is unique, and every symptom deserves thoughtful attention.
What Really Happens During Menopause
Menopause marks the natural decline of reproductive hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone. For most women, it begins with perimenopause in their 40s and continues into midlife and beyond. This transition can bring changes in:
Sleep patterns and energy levels
Mood, memory, and focus
Weight and metabolism
Skin and hair health
Sexual health and vaginal comfort
Bone density and cardiovascular risk
Why Evidence-Based Care Matters
Menopause is not a disease—it’s a life stage. But untreated symptoms can disrupt quality of life and increase long-term health risks. That’s why working with a provider who understands both hormonal and non-hormonal options is so important.
Dr. Brooks is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP), meaning she has advanced training in evaluating and treating menopause-related concerns with the latest evidence-based approaches.
Beyond Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy (HT) can be highly effective for many women, but it’s not the only option. Care at Asklia may also include:
Lifestyle and nutrition strategies
Sleep and stress management support
Non-hormonal prescription options
Preventive screening for bone and heart health
Integrating metabolic and weight management when needed
Why Asklia Is Different
Because Dr. Brooks is also board-certified in obesity medicine, she sees the bigger picture of how menopause and metabolism are connected. Weight changes, fatigue, and brain fog aren’t “just part of aging”—they’re signals that your body needs personalized support.
At Asklia, menopause care is:
Comprehensive — looking at the full spectrum of symptoms and health risks
Personalized — tailored to your goals, history, and preferences
Connected — integrated with your overall primary and metabolic health plan
