Functional Medicine: A Personalized Root-Cause Approach to Women's Health

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, functional medicine has emerged as a revolutionary approach to addressing the unique health concerns of women. The functional medicine model is a personalized, systems-based approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease. It views the body as an interconnected system rather than separate organs and emphasizes the importance of understanding genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in health and disease. By integrating traditional medical practices with evidence-based holistic interventions, functional medicine prioritizes prevention and long-term wellness. Your health journey is as unique as you are, and that's why a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t work.

Why Women Need Functional Medicine

Women’s health is uniquely complex due to hormonal fluctuations, reproductive health, and societal pressures that often lead to stress and burnout. Many women face chronic health issues like hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases, thyroid disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Traditional medicine often treats these conditions with medications that mask symptoms rather than addressing the root causes. Functional medicine for women’s health, however, provides a personalized approach to uncovering and treating underlying imbalances. Research shows that the functional medicine model can improve health-related quality of life, particularly for chronic conditions, by addressing lifestyle and environmental factors alongside traditional diagnostics and treatments.

What Makes a Functional Medicine OB/GYN Different?

An OB/GYN specialist in functional medicine combines the expertise of traditional obstetrics and gynecology with a holistic, root-cause approach to women's health. Unlike conventional OB/GYNs who often focus on symptom management primarily through medications and surgical interventions, a functional medicine OB/GYN also seeks to identify and address the underlying causes of hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities, fertility challenges, and menopause symptoms. This approach is ideal for women seeking a deeper understanding of their health and long-term solutions rather than quick fixes.

• Root Cause Approach: Instead of just treating symptoms, they investigate the deeper imbalances in hormones, gut health, nutrition, and lifestyle that may be affecting reproductive and overall health.
• Advanced Testing & Personalized Care: Use both traditional and functional lab testing to assess hormone levels, micronutrient deficiencies, and inflammation markers.
• Integrative & Natural Treatments: They often incorporate nutrition, lifestyle modifications, supplements, and bioidentical hormone therapy before resorting to pharmaceuticals or surgery.
• Whole-Person Care: They consider factors like stress, sleep, toxins, and metabolic health that can impact conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility.

Personalized Perimenopause and Menopause Care

Krista Margolis provides personalized, evidence-based treatment for perimenopause and menopause to support women as they navigate a new and often challenging and unsettling phase of life. Krista is so well-versed in perimenopause care and it's apparent that she truly cares about her patients! She has a knack for putting one at ease while making the information feel accessible, providing not just technical information but real life tools. Krista is a wealth of information and helped me with a menapause plan that was right for me.

Service Options and Pricing

Krista Margolis offers several ways to access her expertise in women's health:

• 1-on-1 Sessions: Virtual, 1-hour menopausal consultation or 30-minute follow up — $150 / hour
• Workshops: Three, 2-hour sessions in person with a group of 15-20 women — $150 / person
• Clinical Support: In person, 45-minute menopausal consultations through Southdale OBGYN (Insurance accepted).
• Pause & Effect Groups: 2-hour session at the date & time of your choosing in a casual setting — $300 / group

What to Expect During Your Health Journey

Functional medicine believes a single condition has many causes and a single cause can contribute to many conditions. Your first visit will be much longer than any medical appointment you've had in recent years. Expect it to last up to an hour. During this time, your Functional Medicine Clinician will take a VERY detailed history to identify factors that may predispose, provoke, and contribute to your overall health. This helps us to identify factors that may predispose, provoke, and contribute to your overall health.

During your second visit, we'll review lab findings and begin suggesting modifications that you can implement. We'll discuss specialty testing and make arrangements as necessary. During subsequent visits, we'll work with you to follow your care plan and monitor your progress. We can make adjustments as needed so you can continue on a journey of healing and health. By understanding the intricate connections between your hormones, gut health, stress, and lifestyle, we create a personalized care plan that works with your body to restore balance and vitality.

Krista is committed to women’s health and advocacy beyond her work, so will be donating 1% of all 2025 profits to The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, a non-profit that invests in innovative community-led solutions to ensure equal opportunity and pathways to economic security for girls and women.