Chicago Holistic Menopause Doctor: Natural Treatment Beyond HRT
You are waking up drenched in sweat at 3 AM. You cannot remember why you walked into a room. Your clothes fit differently despite eating the same way you always have. Your mood swings from fine to tearful without warning. And when you mention these changes to your doctor, you hear some version of "that's just menopause" or "here's a prescription for hormones."
But you want more than a prescription and a shrug. You want someone who takes the time to understand what is actually happening in your body and offers real solutions, whether that includes hormone therapy or not.
Dr. Kelly Simms is a holistic menopause doctor in Chicago who provides exactly that kind of care. As a naturopathic doctor, board-certified in naturopathic endocrinology (FABNE) and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), she brings specialized expertise in hormonal transitions that most practitioners simply do not have. Her approach addresses the root causes of your symptoms while also protecting your long-term health, giving you options far beyond "just deal with it" or "just take hormones."
If you want to navigate menopause with support, clarity, and a plan that actually works for your body, Dr. Simms can help.
Is This You? Menopause Symptoms That Deserve Real Solutions
Menopause affects every woman differently. You might experience a few of these symptoms intensely, or many of them mildly:
- Hot flashes that disrupt your day and your sleep
- Night sweats that leave you exhausted
- Weight gain, especially around your midsection, that resists your usual efforts
- Brain fog, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings, irritability, or unexpected anxiety
- Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
- Low energy and persistent fatigue
- Changes in skin texture, dryness, or sensitivity
- Decreased libido or vaginal dryness
- New or worsening food sensitivities
These symptoms are common, but that does not mean you have to accept them as your new normal. Menopause is a natural transition, not a disease. But when symptoms significantly affect your quality of life, effective treatment exists.
The question is whether you want treatment that addresses only the surface or treatment that looks deeper.
Why Choose Dr. Kelly Simms for Menopause Care
Many practitioners can prescribe hormone therapy. What sets Dr. Simms apart is her specialized training in endocrinology, her understanding of the connections between hormones and other body systems, and her commitment to giving you options that match your preferences and health history.
Board-Certified Naturopathic Endocrinology Expertise
Dr. Simms holds the Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology (FABNE) credential, a board certification requiring advanced training in hormonal disorders. Menopause is fundamentally an endocrine transition, as declining estrogen and progesterone affect nearly every system in your body.
This expertise matters because menopause symptoms often overlap with thyroid dysfunction, adrenal issues, and metabolic changes. A practitioner trained in endocrinology can distinguish between these conditions and create a treatment plan that addresses what is actually happening, not just what appears on the surface.
Learn more about Dr. Simms' background and credentials.
The Gut-Hormone Connection Most Menopause Doctors Miss
Here is something most practitioners overlook: your gut health directly affects how your body manufactures, processes, and eliminates hormones.
Your gut contains a collection of bacteria called the estrobolome that plays a critical role in estrogen metabolism. When gut health is compromised, estrogen can be reabsorbed rather than eliminated, contributing to symptoms and increasing certain health risks. Chronic inflammation originating in the gut can also worsen hot flashes, mood symptoms, and weight gain.
Many women develop new food sensitivities during perimenopause as hormonal shifts affect gut permeability. Dr. Simms frequently says, "Health starts with the gut," and for menopausal women, addressing digestive health often unlocks symptom relief that hormone-focused treatments alone cannot achieve.
Certified Nutrition Specialist for Menopause Weight and Metabolism
Weight gain during menopause is frustrating, and generic advice like "eat less, move more" rarely helps. Hormonal shifts affect insulin sensitivity, metabolism, and where your body stores fat. Addressing these changes requires specialized knowledge.
Dr. Simms holds credentials as a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), a board certification requiring advanced training in clinical nutrition. She creates evidence-based, personalized nutrition plans that account for the metabolic changes of menopause, helping you manage weight, stabilize blood sugar, and support hormone balance.
Natural Treatment With or Without HRT
Dr. Simms supports hormone replacement therapy. For many women, HRT provides significant relief and important long-term health benefits. But HRT is not right for everyone, and it is certainly not the only option.
Her holistic approach gives you choices. Some patients prefer botanical medicine, targeted nutrition, and lifestyle modifications. Others want HRT as part of a comprehensive plan. Many benefit from a combination. Dr. Simms helps you understand your options and create a plan that aligns with your health history, your preferences, and your goals.
How Dr. Simms Approaches Menopause Treatment
Effective menopause care requires more than matching symptoms to prescriptions. Dr. Simms takes a thorough, personalized approach.
Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment and Hormone Testing
Your first appointment involves a detailed review of your health history, current symptoms, previous treatments, and how menopause is affecting your daily life. Dr. Simms orders functional testing to evaluate hormone levels, thyroid function, metabolic markers, nutrient status, and inflammatory markers. This gives a complete picture of what is driving your symptoms.
Step 2: Identify Your Root Causes
Menopause symptoms have multiple potential drivers. Is declining estrogen the primary issue, or are adrenal function, thyroid health, or gut imbalances playing significant roles? Is chronic stress amplifying your symptoms? Dr. Simms identifies which factors matter most for you, so treatment targets the actual causes rather than just suppressing symptoms.
Step 3: Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your assessment and preferences, Dr. Simms creates a customized plan. This may include botanical medicines and targeted supplements, personalized nutrition recommendations, stress management and sleep optimization strategies, hormone therapy if appropriate and desired, and support for related conditions affecting your symptoms.
Step 4: Long-Term Health Optimization
Menopause care does not end when hot flashes improve. Dr. Simms provides follow-up appointments to track your progress, adjust your plan, and ensure you are protecting your long-term health. The goal is not just symptom relief but vitality and wellness for decades to come.
Natural Therapies for Menopause Symptoms
Dr. Simms draws from a range of evidence-based natural therapies to support women through menopause:
Botanical Medicine: Certain herbs have been used for centuries to support hormonal transitions. Depending on your specific symptoms, Dr. Simms may recommend botanicals that support adrenal function, promote sleep, or provide gentle hormonal support.
Nutritional Support: Targeted supplements can address nutrient deficiencies that worsen menopause symptoms. Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and B vitamins all play roles in bone health, mood, and energy. Dr. Simms determines what you actually need rather than recommending a generic protocol.
Lifestyle Modifications: Sleep quality, stress management, and appropriate exercise significantly affect how you experience menopause. Dr. Simms provides specific, actionable recommendations rather than vague suggestions to "reduce stress."
Hormone Therapy Integration: When hormone therapy is appropriate, Dr. Simms can help you incorporate it into your treatment plan. She helps you understand the research, the options, and what might work best for your situation.
Beyond Symptom Relief: Protecting Your Long-Term Health
Menopause is not just about hot flashes and night sweats. The hormonal shifts of this transition affect your long-term health in significant ways.
Cardiovascular Health: Declining estrogen increases cardiovascular risk. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels often change during menopause. Dr. Simms monitors these markers and addresses them proactively.
Bone Health: Estrogen protects bone density. The years around menopause are critical for preventing osteoporosis. Nutrition, exercise, and sometimes targeted supplementation or medication can make a significant difference.
Cognitive Health: Many women worry about brain fog and memory changes during menopause. While some cognitive changes are normal, supporting brain health through nutrition, sleep, and stress management matters for long-term function.
Metabolic Health: Insulin sensitivity often decreases during menopause, increasing risk for metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Addressing this early can prevent complications down the road.
Dr. Simms takes a whole-person approach, treating today's symptoms while keeping an eye on your health for the next thirty years.
Menopause Appointments: Chicago and Nationwide Telehealth
Dr. Simms sees patients in person at her Chicago and North Shore offices, and remotely through secure telehealth appointments.
Chicago Office: 2559 N. Southport Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
North Shore Office: 1150 Wilmette Ave., Suite C, Wilmette, IL 60091
North Shore Location: Serving Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and surrounding communities.
Nationwide Telehealth: Cannot make it to Chicago? Dr. Simms sees menopause patients across the country through secure video consultations. Lab work can be completed locally, and treatment plans work just as effectively remotely. If you are seeking a holistic menopause doctor and cannot find one in your area, distance does not have to be a barrier.
View the current fee schedule for appointment costs and what to expect.
Ready to Navigate Menopause Naturally? Book Your Appointment
You do not have to choose between suffering through symptoms and taking hormones you are uncertain about. You do not have to accept "that's just menopause" as an answer. And you do not have to figure this out alone.
Dr. Kelly Simms is a holistic menopause doctor with board-certified expertise in endocrinology and clinical nutrition. Her approach addresses the root causes of your symptoms, offers you real choices about treatment, and protects your health for the long term. Women come to her from across Chicago and nationwide because she provides the kind of thorough, personalized menopause care that is hard to find.
Your next step is simple: schedule an appointment and start getting the support you deserve.
Questions before booking? Contact us. We are happy to help you determine if Dr. Simms is the right fit for your menopause concerns.
