On this episode of The Healthspan Collective, we sat down with Michelle Kavall, a board-certified family nurse practitioner who specializes in women’s health, hormone optimization, and gut health restoration. Michelle has built her career in integrative and functional medicine, helping women navigate everything from menopause to thyroid issues, stress, and overall wellbeing.
What stood out most in our conversation is Michelle’s mission to empower women to understand their bodies. Too often, women are told that fatigue, mood swings, or symptoms of menopause are simply “normal.” Michelle challenges that narrative: “It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s not the norm to suffer through these symptoms—we have tools to help.”
Breaking the Myths Around Hormones
Many women are dismissed when they ask for hormone testing. Michelle shared that patients often hear, “You’re too young for that” or “Come back in ten years.” This lack of testing leaves countless women frustrated and unheard. Michelle believes education is the first step toward change: by teaching women about their bodies, she becomes both a mentor and a provider.
Some of the most common symptoms she sees include fatigue, low libido, brain fog, and night sweats. Even seemingly random issues like heart palpitations or histamine responses can be tied to shifting hormones. Each woman’s hormone journey is unique, which is why Michelle takes an individualized approach to treatment.
The Connection Between Hormones, Mood, and Stress
Hormones don’t just affect physical health—they play a major role in mental and emotional wellbeing. Low progesterone, for example, can lead to irritability, trouble sleeping, or anxiety. Michelle explained that balancing hormones with bioidentical, plant-based therapies can restore energy, improve sleep, and even lift mood.
But stress is also a huge factor. Chronic stress impacts the thyroid and adrenal glands, which can push women into a perimenopausal-like state. Michelle emphasizes that managing emotional health is just as important as prescribing medication. Sometimes that means recommending therapy, meditation, or even feng shui to reduce stress in a patient’s environment.
Beyond Hormones: Peptides, Thyroid Health, and Gut Healing
Michelle also introduced us to the fascinating world of peptides—short chains of amino acids that help the body heal, repair, and slow aging. NAD+, BPC-157, and VIP peptides are some of her go-to therapies for improving energy, skin health, and gut function.
And when it comes to weight loss, Michelle takes a conservative, science-driven approach to GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide. Instead of high doses, she microdoses and carefully monitors patients to ensure safety and long-term results. For her, it’s never just about losing pounds—it’s about addressing the root causes of inflammation and supporting overall healthspan.
A Personal Mission
Michelle’s path into integrative medicine started on the opposite side of healthcare—working in managed care and insurance, where decisions were often driven by economics instead of patient wellbeing. Realizing that didn’t align with her values, she shifted her focus to patient-centered medicine. Today, she’s passionate about mentoring women, restoring balance in their health, and helping them thrive at every stage of life.
As she puts it: “The first step is education. Once women understand what’s happening in their bodies, they feel empowered to make changes and truly optimize their health.”
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