Medicine Certified Practitioner, and founder of Peoples Wellness & Longevity" Dr. Nicole Peoples Photo credit The Turners, Dr. Nicole Peoples
Board-certified internal medicine physician and Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner Dr. Nicole Peoples, joined “Let’s Talk About It With the Turners” to discuss Practical guidance on menopause, perimenopause, postmenopause and andropause through a longevity-focused, root-cause approach.
Dr. Peoples was introduced as the founder of Peoples Wellness & Longevity and a widely recognized hormone and longevity expert. The Turners spoke on the lack of accessible language and education surrounding hormonal changes that affect both women and men in midlife.
Dr. Peoples explained that many women experience symptoms commonly associated with menopause for far longer than expected. Perimenopause, she noted, can last 15 to 20 years before menstrual cycles end, often presenting with symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, joint pain and mood changes. African American women, she added, tend to experience certain symptoms, particularly hot flashes, for longer durations than other populations.
“Most women aren’t having the conversation until it’s too late,” Dr. Peoples said.
Drawing from her training in functional medicine, Dr. Peoples emphasized that menopause should not be treated as an isolated diagnosis. Instead, she described it as part of a broader physiological landscape influenced by lifestyle, stress, environment and metabolic health. In her practice, she avoids treating conditions in silos, focusing instead on identifying shared root causes that manifest as different symptoms over time.
The discussion also addressed andropause, the hormonal transition experienced by men as testosterone levels gradually decline. Dr. Peoples outlined parallel symptoms between men and women, including reduced energy, changes in body composition, decreased libido and a diminished sense of overall well being. While not everyone experiences symptoms the same way, she explained that hormonal decline is inevitable and can affect long-term health if not properly addressed.
Dr. Peoples highlighted seven core areas she prioritizes in patient care: mindset and personal agency, nutrition, sleep, stress resilience, toxin exposure, movement and relationships. She explained that while lifestyle strategies alone may not eliminate severe symptoms, they significantly improve outcomes when combined with evidence-based medical therapies.
Hormone replacement therapy, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, was discussed as a key treatment option for individuals experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. Dr. Peoples emphasized that hormone therapy is most effective when personalized and paired with nutrition, lifestyle and stress management strategies rather than used as a standalone solution.
Addressing the emotional toll of hormonal changes, she acknowledged that many women report feeling disconnected from themselves during these transitions. “You don’t feel like yourself anymore,” Dr. Peoples said, she shared that this common experience is often an early indicator of hormonal imbalance rather than a psychological failing.
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.