Unlocking Hormonal Balance with Deborah Maragopoulos, FNP

12/18/24 • 36 min

In this episode, Deborah Maragopoulos, FNP an intuitive integrative family nurse practitioner with over 30 years of experience in neuroimmune endocrinology, joins us for a discussion around the crucial role of the hypothalamus in managing menopause symptoms, overall health, and hormonal harmony.

Specializing in hypothalamic health, Deborah has helped thousands of patients restore hormonal balance through her integrative approach. She is the author of several books including her latest, "The Hypothalamus Handbook," which outlines the steps people can take to start healing their hypothalamus on their own. She is also the Founder of Full Circle Family Health, Genesis Health Products, Inc and Divine Daughters Unite. In addition, Deborah serves as clinical endocrine advisor to Genova Laboratory and Sansum Medical Clinic, and she is also the past president of the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.

The hypothalamus, often overlooked in traditional healthcare, is a small almond-shaped gland in the brain responsible for regulating the body’s key functions, including temperature, metabolism, mood, sleep, and hormone balance.

Deborah explains that many menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disruption, weight gain, and brain fog stem from a dysregulated hypothalamus as hormone levels fluctuate. This critical gland struggles to maintain balance as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels decline. Part of the problem is that hypothalamic imbalances can be hard to detect through standard tests. Deborah recommends and uses a comprehensive health history, lab analysis, and symptoms checklists to diagnose and treat her patients.

Topics covered in this episode:

The hypothalamus’ role in menopause and perimenopause
How perimenopause and menopause affect your hypothalamus
Some of the most common disorders and medical conditions that might be linked to an unbalanced hypothalamus and how to talk with your medical provider about it
Five lifestyle pillars to keep the hypothalamus functioning optimally

Specializing in neuro-immune endocrinology, Deborah focuses on optimizing the function of the hypothalamus - the maestro of the symphony of hormones. Her approach combines cutting-edge science with a holistic perspective, offering hope to those struggling with unexplained symptoms or chronic health issues.

Connect with Deborah:

website: https://genesisgold.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehormonequeen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahmaragopoulosfnp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-maragopoulos-mn-fnp-422b8014
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTwDjUWkxsANSmh2wF5ltSg

Resources Referenced in the Podcast:

FREE Menopause Action Plan Guide: https://genesisgold.com/map-guide/
FREE Hormone Reboot Training: https://genesisgold.com/hormone-reboot-training/?utm_source=positivepause
For a 10% OFF Discount in Deborah's store -- use coupon code: POSITIVEPAUSE10 (https://shop.genesisgold.com/discount/POSITIVEPAUSE10)

Topics covered in this episode:

The hypothalamus’ role in menopause and perimenopause
How perimenopause and menopause affect your hypothalamus
Some of the most common disorders and medical conditions that might be linked to an unbalanced hypothalamus and how to talk with your medical provider about it
Five lifestyle pillars to keep the hypothalamus functioning optimally

Connect with Deborah:

website: https://genesisgold.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehormonequeen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahmaragopoulosfnp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-maragopoulos-mn-fnp-422b8014
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTwDjUWkxsANSmh2wF5ltSg

Resources Referenced in the Podcast:

FREE Menopause Action Plan Guide: https://genesisgold.com/map-guide/
FREE Hormone Reboot Training: https://genesisgold.com/hormone-reboot-training/?utm_source=positivepause
For a 10% OFF Discount in Deborah's store -- use coupon code: POSITIVEPAUSE10 (https://shop.genesisgold.com/discount/POSITIVEPAUSE10)

Previous Episode

The Motivational Force of Menopause

In this episode, Stephanie Mitchell, a certified personal trainer (CPT) and the inspiring wellness coach behind Stephanie Mitchell Fitness, joins us for a discussion around how women can prioritize wellness through the complex journey of perimenopause and menopause. In our conversation, Stephanie shares insights on staying connected to our "why" in our wellness routines, staying resilient as our bodies change, and building community as a powerful support network during this phase of life.

Stephanie is a dedicated wellness, meditation and fitness professional who helps women to become stronger and more mindful so they may live their most fearless life, especially during their perimenopausal and menopausal years. Through a balanced and holistic approach to wellness, she helps women discover what’s right for them when it comes to changing up their routine when they reach midlife.

Topics covered in this episode:

Build the life you want moving forward: One of Stephanie’s key insights is that motivation to stay active and healthy shouldn’t come from a desire to “get back” to our past selves but to build the life we want moving forward. Too often, we focus on goals like losing weight or looking younger, but Stephanie encourages women to go deeper and ask, "Why do I want this?" Whether it’s the energy to keep up with family or the strength to pursue new adventures, finding a motivating factor for the future helps us prioritize what truly matters.
Small sustainable changes to build systems: Stephanie is a firm believer in small, sustainable changes over extreme, quick-fix solutions. Drawing inspiration from James Clear’s book, "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad One", she encourages clients to build systems, like starting their day with just the act of putting on workout clothes before progressing to a workout routine. This approach keeps us from feeling overwhelmed and leads to long-lasting, positive changes in how we care for ourselves.
Community’s role in keeping healthy habits: Whether we need to get healthy or maintain our health, community can play such an essential role in sticking with healthy habits. Studies show that people who exercise with friends or in groups are more likely to maintain a consistent routine. Whether working one-on-one with a trainer or joining a group class, community can provide accountability, encouragement, and a much-needed sense of camaraderie.

Connect with Stephanie

Website: https://www.stephaniemitchellfitness.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-mitchell-074497335/
Instagram: @stephaniemitchellfitness
Your Empowered Evolution, A Podcast Dedicated to Women in Mid-Life Podcast

Next Episode

Understanding Pelvic Health with Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, PT, WCS

In this episode, Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, PT, WCS, a seasoned physical therapist, author, and speaker with over 40 years of experience, including almost three decades specializing in women’s health, joins us for a discussion into the often overlooked but crucial topic of pelvic health, its critical role in everyday functions like bowel and bladder control, sexual health, & maintaining stability, and treatment options and resources available including NMF’s free Menopause MicroCourse on genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM).

As women enter menopause, the pelvic floor faces additional challenges, including incontinence, prolapse, and pain during sex (aka sex dysfunction). Ingrid noted that these issues are commonly misunderstood or dismissed as inevitable and as a result are not addressed. In actuality, these issues are quite treatable and should be addressed as soon as they are noted.

She stressed the importance of recognizing symptoms early and seeking help from qualified, credentialed professionals (e.g., physical therapists, urogynecologists, and certified menopause practitioners / CMPs). Many of these conditions, though common, are manageable with the right care.

One of the most misunderstood pelvic health issues is prolapse, where organs like the bladder or uterus shift from their normal position. Ingrid explained how prolapse often starts subtly, with symptoms like pressure or discomfort, but can progress over time without intervention. Fortunately, prolapse is treatable with both non-surgical and surgical options.

Ingrid emphasized the importance of follow-through, whether it’s attending physical therapy after surgery or making small changes to daily habits. Being aware of changes and understanding how to navigate health issues is an important part of continued self-care. She shared simple but effective strategies to promote pelvic health:

Strengthen the Pelvic Floor
Stay Active
Hydrate and Eat Well
Seek Professional Help
Ask Questions

Ingrid is a member of NMF’s Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) and was co-faculty for the NMF’s Menopause MicroCourse on genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM). Her book, The Musculoskeletal Mystery: How to Solve Your Pelvic Floor Symptoms, provides a deeper exploration of these topics. She has served on committees for both the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) committee and the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), including serving as the Chair and Vice Chair for the Advanced Practice, Physical Therapy and Allied Health (APPTAH) Special Interest Groups (SIG) and the AUGS Advanced Practice Provider (APP) conference committee.

Connect with Ingrid: