woman with menopause symptoms in Akron. — Hot flashes are just the beginning. Discover the real symptoms of menopause—including brain fog, mood shifts, joint pain, and more—with Dr. Kelli Peiffer, MSCP.

Understanding the hidden symptoms of perimenopause and how personalized care can help

When most people think of menopause, they picture hot flashes and night sweats. And yes, those symptoms are common—but they’re far from the whole story. In reality, menopause and the years leading up to it (known as perimenopause) can affect nearly every system in your body.

As a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP), Dr. Kelli Peiffer helps women in Akron better understand these changes—and take proactive steps to feel like themselves again. Because menopause isn’t just a phase to “get through.” With the right support, it can be a time of strength, clarity, and renewed health.

The Lesser-Known Symptoms of Menopause

If you’re in your 40s or 50s and not feeling quite like yourself, hormones could be playing a bigger role than you think. Here are some of the most overlooked menopause symptoms Dr. Peiffer sees in her patients:

Brain Fog

Struggling to concentrate? Forgetting words or appointments? This isn’t “just aging.” Estrogen helps regulate cognitive function, and when levels fluctuate, focus and memory often take a hit.

Joint Pain & Body Aches

Many women are surprised to learn that estrogen plays a role in joint health. Aches, stiffness, and new-onset body pain can be hormonal—not just from overuse or “sleeping wrong.”

Mood Swings & Anxiety

You may feel more irritable, emotional, or anxious than usual—especially if you’ve never struggled with mood symptoms before. These shifts are real and valid, and support is available.

Sleep Disruption

Falling asleep or staying asleep becomes a nightly struggle for many women in midlife. Hormonal changes, stress, and body temperature dysregulation all contribute.

Vaginal Dryness & Sexual Changes

Changes in estrogen can cause thinning and dryness of the vaginal tissue, leading to discomfort during intimacy, increased UTIs, or a change in libido. These symptoms are common—but not something you have to live with.

You’re Not Alone—and You’re Not Imagining It

Too often, women are told their symptoms are “just stress” or “part of getting older.” But at West Side Concierge Medicine, Dr. Peiffer takes a different approach.

With longer appointments, direct access, and personalized care plans, she helps women:

Make sense of what they’re experiencing
Explore evidence-based treatment options (both hormonal and non-hormonal)
Focus on prevention and long-term health, not just symptom control
Feel validated, empowered, and supported

Why Work with a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP)?

Not all healthcare providers receive specialized training in menopause care—but MSCP-certified physicians like Dr. Peiffer do. This designation ensures a deep understanding of:

Hormonal transitions across perimenopause and menopause
Risks and benefits of hormone therapy
Treatment of genitourinary symptoms, mood changes, and more
Evidence-based, individualized care approaches

If you’re searching for menopause support in Akron, working with an MSCP-certified provider can make all the difference.

Personalized Menopause Care in Akron, OH

Menopause isn’t one-size-fits-all—and your care shouldn’t be either. At West Side Concierge Medicine, Dr. Peiffer offers a better experience: one that prioritizes your story, your symptoms, and your goals.

Whether you’re in the thick of perimenopause or adjusting to life after menopause, you deserve a provider who listens—and a care plan that works.