By: Susan Rogers

Dr. Sofia Din, a board-certified family physician, geriatrician and an anti-aging expert with over a decade of experience in various anti-aging tools and aesthetic devices in New York, offers a unique view of perimenopause, menopause, and andropause. Her antiaging practice encourages patients to embrace these transitions with the right strategies. Her approach highlights the importance of holistic care—connecting the dots between health, well-being, and the beauty of the mind-body complex. 

Perimenopause: A Period of Brief, but Recurrent Pauses 

Perimenopause is a series of initial hiccups in the body’s engine that signals the start of a transition. This phase can last 6 to 10 years, marked by intermittent hormonal imbalances. 

Dr. Din explains, “Perimenopause is like a series of pauses—brief interruptions preparing the body for its final exit from the matrix of fertility.” These shifts affect the entire body, beginning with the ovaries—the “chefs” responsible for managing your reproductive kitchen. 

During this phase, nutrient imbalances and burnout in the gut biome contribute to ovarian fatigue, setting off a chain of symptoms: 

• Fatigue 
• Headaches 
• Constipation 
• Decreased libido 
• Dysfunctional uterine bleeding 
• Brain fog and mood disorders 
• Hair loss and weight gain without lifestyle changes 

Dr. Din humorously describes the experience: “Perimenopause feels like an endless PMS cycle—where your body prepares a 12-course meal, but no one comes to eat, and your eggs carrying ancestral DNA keep expiring each month, sometimes faster than sushi left overnight in the fridge.” The frustration is palpable and real! 

Photo Courtesy: Sofia Din, MD

Menopause: The Final Pause 

Once a woman goes 12 months without a period, menopause officially begins. During this time, hormone production slows, affecting energy levels, physical appearance, and organ function. Dr. Din emphasizes that the absence of hormonal support accelerates visible aging, particularly in the skin. 

However, she encourages women to reframe menopause: “It’s not the end—it’s a shift into a new chapter, a chance to delay your exit from the matrix and instead reinvent yourself with a new purpose.” With the right care and mindset, menopause can be an invitation to evolve, not just survive. 

The Role of Beauty, Health, and Wellness 

A frequent message in Dr. Din’s practice is that beauty is only the tip of the iceberg—an expression of deeper health and wellness. She often tells women, “Without health, your connection with beauty is quickly terminated.” In her view, caring for one’s body holistically helps preserve not just external appearance but also your body’s connection with your favorite prior versions of self, increasing your vitality, energy, and confidence as you go deeper into time. 

Photo Courtesy: Sofia Din, MD

Andropause: When the Pause Affects Men Too 

Just as women experience hormonal shifts, men go through andropause, during which testosterone levels decline. Symptoms such as fatigue, decreased libido, hair loss, osteoporosis, prostate disease, and mood instability mirror the challenges women face during menopause. Dr. Din believes both men and women need collaborative care during these stages to navigate the physical and emotional changes successfully. 

Holistic Care: The Key to Thriving in Transition 

Dr. Din emphasizes that fragmented medical care—treating each symptom individually—does a disservice to patients. “It’s time we address these transitions as syndromes, not just isolated symptoms,” she argues. Effective care relies on hormone tracking, nutrient supplementation, and collaboration between healthcare providers. 

Her recommended strategies include: 

• Exercise and hydration to support metabolism.
• Balanced nutrition with supplements to fill deficiencies.
• Hormone tracking and HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) for suitable candidates. 
• Energy-based devices to improve circulation and tissue health. These FDA-cleared devices promote tissue health through angiogenesis—a process in which the body creates a new blood supply. “Aging is largely a supply-and-demand issue, which can now be addressed with fascinating new medical technology,” Dr. Din explains.
• Avoiding alcohol and smoking to prevent symptoms from worsening. “These two are the premier agents of destruction of your fabric,” she warns. 
• Appropriate oral and intravenous supplements, especially for those with autoimmune disorders that impact the gut biome. 

Photo Courtesy: Sofia Din, MD

Reclaiming Health Beyond Menopause 

Many women live 30 to 40 years beyond menopause in silent despair as their bodies decline. Dr. Din emphasizes the importance of focusing on the quality of life during these years: “Aging isn’t just about surviving longer—it’s about thriving with purpose.” Advances in medicine and lifestyle changes allow women to remain vibrant and healthy well into later years. 

Conclusion: Embracing the Pause as a New Beginning 

Perimenopause, menopause, and andropause were once inevitable and disruptive for earlier generations, but they no longer have to be. Dr. Sofia Din encourages patients to embrace these changes as opportunities for growth, rediscovery, and renewal. With holistic care and collaborative support from your healthcare team, the body’s “pauses” can become moments of transformation—lifting individuals out of decline and into a new phase of purpose and well-being. 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Individual results and experiences may vary, and reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.

Published by: Martin De Juan