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How Functional Medicine Supports Hormonal Health

Functional Medicine Supports Hormonal Health in Mount Pleasant

Hormones influence nearly every aspect of daily life from energy levels and mood to skin health and metabolism. When they fall out of balance, even small changes can create ripple effects across the body. Many people experience symptoms of hormone imbalance without fully recognizing the connection, leading them to search for practical and lasting solutions. This is where functional medicine for hormonal health becomes a valuable approach, offering a broader perspective on what’s really happening inside the body.

At Sheperd Integrative Dermatology in Mount Pleasant, we view hormonal health as a key factor in overall wellness and skin vitality. By blending functional medicine practices with dermatology, patients gain access to care that looks beyond symptoms to address root causes.

Hormonal Health Overview

Hormones act as messengers that regulate processes such as metabolism, reproductive health, stress response, and even skin renewal. When the system is balanced, these processes run smoothly. But issues such as chronic stress, poor nutrition, environmental exposures, or underlying conditions can trigger hormone imbalances.

Common signs of hormone imbalance include:

  • Irregular menstrual cycles or difficult menopause transitions
  • Mood swings, fatigue, or sleep difficulties
  • Weight fluctuations and changes in metabolism
  • Skin concerns like acne, dryness, or premature aging

Instead of masking symptoms, functional medicine hormone balance strategies explore why the imbalance exists and how to correct it naturally.

The Functional Medicine Approach

What sets functional medicine apart is its focus on the interconnectedness of body systems. Instead of narrowing in on one organ or one symptom, it examines how various systems influence one another. For hormonal health, that means looking at:

  • Nutrition and Diet – Food provides the building blocks for hormone production. Deficiencies or imbalances in diet can directly affect estrogen, cortisol, thyroid, and other hormones.
  • Gut Health – A healthy microbiome plays a role in metabolizing hormones and reducing inflammation.
  • Stress and Sleep – Elevated stress hormones can throw off balance, while restorative sleep allows hormones to reset properly.
  • Environmental Factors – Everyday exposures to chemicals, toxins, or UV radiation can disrupt natural hormone activity.

By evaluating these influences, functional medicine for women’s health and hormonal support creates individualized strategies rather than one-size-fits-all fixes.

How Functional Medicine Helps Restore Hormone Balance

Hormonal imbalances rarely have a single cause, which is why a comprehensive approach is often needed. 

1. Nutrition as a Foundation

Dietary choices directly affect hormone production and regulation. Functional medicine emphasizes whole foods, balanced macronutrients, and avoiding highly processed ingredients. For example, healthy fats support hormone synthesis, while fiber aids in regulating estrogen levels. Patients often find that small dietary shifts can have a noticeable impact on symptoms.

2. Stress Management and Lifestyle Adjustments

Cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, can influence nearly all other hormones when levels remain chronically high. Functional medicine providers guide patients through stress-reducing practices such as mindfulness, yoga, or structured exercise. These lifestyle habits not only lower cortisol but also improve energy and emotional balance.

3. Supplementation and Natural Therapies

Sometimes food alone is not enough to restore balance. Functional medicine may incorporate targeted supplementation such as vitamin D, magnesium, or adaptogenic herbs to support the body’s natural hormone regulation. These therapies provide a gentle, supportive way to encourage natural hormone balance.

4. Environmental Awareness

Hormonal disruptors are often hidden in skincare products, plastics, and household items. Functional medicine includes patient education on identifying and reducing exposures to these factors. This awareness helps create a healthier foundation for long-term hormonal health and skin wellness.

Hormone Balance and Skin Health

As the largest organ, the skin often reflects what’s happening internally. Acne, dryness, thinning, or premature lines can all signal underlying hormonal shifts. At Sheperd Integrative Dermatology, integrative care considers how hormone balance connects to dermatological outcomes.

For example:

  • Estrogen plays a role in collagen production, meaning low levels may contribute to fine lines.
  • Androgens can stimulate oil production, leading to acne breakouts.
  • Cortisol can slow skin healing and contribute to flare-ups of eczema or psoriasis.

By supporting functional medicine for hormone balance, patients may notice not only improved systemic health but also clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Functional Medicine for Women’s Health

Women often face unique challenges with hormone fluctuations at different stages of life puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Functional medicine offers tailored hormone imbalance solutions that consider these transitions and the unique needs of women’s bodies.

  • Adolescents may benefit from nutritional and lifestyle guidance to help regulate cycles and reduce acne without overreliance on medication.
  • Women of childbearing age can receive support for conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or fertility concerns.
  • Menopausal women often explore natural strategies for hot flashes, mood changes, and skin changes related to declining estrogen.

This patient-centered approach gives women tools to manage changes while reducing dependence on synthetic hormones or medications when possible.

Why Patients in Mount Pleasant Choose Functional Medicine

People seeking hormone balance in Mount Pleasant often want an approach that combines medical expertise with natural strategies. By blending traditional dermatology with functional medicine, Sheperd Integrative Dermatology offers a perspective that respects both science and lifestyle factors.

Patients appreciate this approach because it:

  • Looks beyond surface symptoms to root causes
  • Integrates nutrition, lifestyle, and natural therapies
  • Supports whole-body wellness while improving skin health

Taking the First Step Toward Balance

If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, or skin issues, your hormones could be at the core. Functional medicine provides practical and personalized strategies that address both the symptoms and their root causes.

At Sheperd Integrative Dermatology, the focus is on helping patients restore balance in a way that feels sustainable and supportive. Every plan is tailored to individual needs, ensuring that no two patients follow the same path.

Start Your Path to Better Hormone Balance

Hormonal health affects far more than you may realize. Taking steps toward balance can improve your energy, mood, skin, and overall quality of life. If you’re ready to explore a more personalized approach, consider scheduling a consultation with Sheperd Integrative Dermatology.

Restore Balance Naturally with Functional Medicine can help you create lasting change and restore harmony in your body.

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Bella

And the vibrations of serenity and beauty that you feel when you walk through our front door?  Bella is the inspiration for that!  Her calm, gentle nature sets the tone, helping us manage  unexpected events with ease and grace.  When Dr. Sheperd is in her studio, Bella is her steadfast companion, encouraging her creative vision which produces the stunning artwork displayed throughout our building.

Lulu

Lulu is the energy behind the warm welcome everyone receives at Sheperd Integrative Dermatology.  She models enthusiasm and curiosity to our entire team, which motivates us to engage fully with our amazing patients.  She reminds us to greet each new day with wonder, and shows us that excitement is waiting around every corner.  We just have to sniff it out!

Carter Hebel

MD

Board Certified Physician

A South Carolina native, Dr. Carter Hebel attended Clemson University and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors in biomedical engineering. She then continued her education at the Medical University of South Carolina as a medical student and then Dermatology Resident. During her time at MUSC, she was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society, and was named Chief Resident of MUSC’s Dermatology Department

Dr. Hebel believes that diseases of the skin deserve the same thoughtful, diligent treatment as diseases in any other part of the body. She supports patients in feeling beautiful, confident, and healthy in their skin, recognizing that skin health is an essential aspect of total well-being.

Dr. Hebel treats a full range of skin conditions, including skin cancers, autoimmune diseases, acne, rosacea, hair loss, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, nail problems, skin cancer and hidradenitis suppurativa. And of course, Dr. Hebel will offer her aesthetic skills to patients through neurotoxins, fillers, lasers and medical grade skincare!

Dana Aman

PA-C

Board Certified Physician Assistant

Dana is a board-certified Physician Assistant with Sheperd Integrative Dermatology.  Originally from Florida, Dana obtained her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and then went on to earn a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from North Greenville University in Greenville, South Carolina.  After obtaining her advanced degree, Dana completed a rigorous 6-month dermatology training program in California as well as a Diplomate Fellowship with the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.  After three years of specialized clinical dermatology practice in California, Dana moved to Charleston in 2023.  Dana’s patient care philosophy centers around active listening and shared decision-making. She believes that every patient should be an active participant in their healthcare journey and looks forward to establishing positive patient relationships at Sheperd Integrative Dermatology. 

Amy Jetter

BSN, RN

Amy brings her whole heart to her role on the Sheperd cosmetic team.  A graduate of Elon College and the Medical College of Virginia, Amy has been a board-certified nurse for over 30 years.  Bringing her skills as an ICU nurse into her role in cosmetic patient care, Amy provides a warm, reassuring presence to all her clients, listening to their concerns and collaborating with them in a plan to bring forth and enhance their natural beauty.  A standing member of the American Association of Plastic Surgery Nurses and a past RN trainer in cosmetic and aesthetic procedures, Amy offers all types of laser treatments, botox and dermal filler injections, and chemical peels.

Melissa Mancuso

Body Contouring Specialist

Melissa has six years of experience in body contouring, beginning with her role as the CoolSculpting representative for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Since joining the Sheperd team, she has received additional training and now offers chemical peels, Vivace micro-needling, and Diamond Glow dermal infusion. She loves helping patients feel good about their bodies and teaching them about how the various cosmetic procedures can help them achieve the results they are seeking.

Margaret Gierhart

LE

Margaret, a South Carolina native, is a Licensed Esthetician and makeup artist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. She earned a BA in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She began her career in beauty as the resident makeup artist for Bobbie Brown cosmetics at Saks Fifth Avenue in Charleston. In order to expand her knowledge, she earned her degree in esthetics from Trident Technical College, graduating with honors. She joined the Sheperd Integrative Dermatology staff in 2014 and is certified in a wide array of cosmetic procedures and skin care products. Her offerings include laser skin resurfacing, IPL, micro-needling, chemical peels, radio frequency, laser hair removal, and body contouring. Her background in both psychology and artistry gives her a deep capacity to care for patients and understand what makes them feel beautiful. A mother of two daughters, Margaret understands beauty as not only external appearance, but also as a manifestation of the inner qualities of kindness, generosity, and well-being.

Madeline Anderson

PA-C

Maddie is a board-certified Physician Assistant and a Lowcountry native. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Clemson University and then went on to earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Medical University of South Carolina, graduating with highest honors. While in PA school, Maddie served as a Student Representative for the SC Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. After graduation, she completed a six-month advanced dermatology internship here at Sheperd Integrative Dermatology. She also completed the Diplomate Fellowship with the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Maddie has a heart for medical missions and is passionate about patient education. Her free time is shared with her family, her friends, and her two fur babies!

AnnaKathryn Keiper

DNP, FNP-C

AnnaKathryn completed her Doctorate degree at the Medical University of South Carolina and has seven years of experience in dermatology. She has completed additional training in medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and functional medicine. She provides skin cancer screenings, surgical removal of skin cancers, treatment of precancerous lesions, extractions of cysts, and the treatment of acne. In the cosmetic domain, she provides laser, filler, and neurotoxin treatments. Certified through the Institute of Functional Medicine, AnnaKathryn has a special focus on wellness, including weight loss and diet consulting. She uses her expertise in this field to create an individualized program to help each of her patients achieve optimal wellness supporting them in maintaining vibrancy and vitality throughout their lifespan.

Allyson Harrell Garrison

PA-C

Ally is a board-certified Physician Assistant and a Diplomate of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, their highest rating. She is a graduate of Clemson University and earned her Master’s degree in Physicians Assistant studies at the University of South Alabama; additionally, she completed a dermatology fellowship at Charlotte Dermatology in North Carolina. For more than ten years, her focus on both medical and surgical dermatology has included identifying and treating skin cancers as well as managing biologic medications for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Ally has a strong love of surgical dermatology and she performs surgeries every day in the clinic, including excisions of cysts and skin cancers. She also loves the challenge of a difficult case! On the cosmetic side, Ally is a skilled injector of both Botox and Dysport. She sees compassion and empathy as vital qualities that she brings to all her patient interactions. She is mindful that skin cancer screenings can be frightening or overwhelming; her warm, calm manner and her focus on patient education throughout each appointment make her an outstanding clinician.

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