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Long COVID & Perimenopause: When Two Storms Collide
When women ask me if their crushing fatigue, brain fog, cycle chaos, or pelvic pain are “just perimenopause” or “just Long COVID,” I tell them the truth: it’s often both. These two storms overlap, and for some women—especially those who have been vaccinated with the COVID mRNA vaccine or who’ve had repeat infections—the fallout can look almost like endometriosis flare-ups layered onto perimenopause.
The good news? You’re not stuck here. There are tools that make a difference. And I’ve seen women regain clarity, energy, and stability again.
Why Perimenopause & Long COVID Feel the Same
- Hormone changes → Perimenopause brings fluctuating estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Long COVID can amplify these shifts, worsening fatigue, mood swings, and hot flashes.
- Inflammation & immune dysregulation → Viral debris and immune confusion can trigger autoimmune flares and worsen perimenopausal symptoms.
- Microclots & circulation → Research shows Long COVID can leave behind microclots, starving tissues of oxygen and deepening fatigue and brain fog.
- Mitochondria stress → Both conditions stress your energy factories, leaving you depleted.
Foundations First: Nutrition, Minerals & Daily Rhythms
Even with advanced therapies, nothing works if the basics aren’t covered:
- Electrolytes & minerals → Magnesium, sodium, potassium, and zinc are essential for hormones, detox, and nervous system regulation.
- Protein → Liver, sardines, collagen, and clean meats support hormone metabolism, bone strength, and brain repair.
- Anti-inflammatory foods → Brightly colored vegetables, leafy greens, berries, and omega-3-rich fish help calm systemic inflammation.
- Sleep → Deep, consistent rest is when your body repairs neurons, clears debris, and rebuilds tissues. Without it, recovery stalls.
- Morning sun → Regulates circadian rhythm, boosts vitamin D, and anchors cortisol cycles for steadier energy and mood.
Anti-Inflammatory & Adaptogenic Support
Alongside minerals, protein, and whole foods, certain botanicals can offer extra resilience:
- Medicinal mushrooms → Reishi, chaga, and lion’s mane support immune balance, reduce inflammation, and enhance resilience.
- Turmeric & curcumin → Potent anti-inflammatory compounds that ease joint pain, calm immune over-activation, and support brain clarity.
- Adaptogens → Blends like Rasa help regulate stress, support adrenal function, and indirectly restore libido and vitality.
- Shikimic acid teas → Found in pine needle tea, fir tip tea, and star anise, shikimic acid has been studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Early research suggests it may also help block or reduce spike protein binding in the body, which is why it’s being explored in Long COVID recovery. While not a stand-alone fix, many women find these teas a gentle way to calm inflammation and support resilience.
Targeted Supports I Use in Protocols
These are the tools I’ve seen make the biggest difference for women facing Long COVID + perimenopause overlap:
- Binders (CellCore Biotoxin Binder or Biocidin GI Detox) → Mop up toxins and debris that worsen brain fog. Always taken away from food and other supplements.
- Glutathione → The master antioxidant for cellular cleanup and liver support, alternated with binders (not taken together).
- Nattokinase → An enzyme that helps break down microclots, restore circulation, and relieve post-viral fatigue. This is one I do include in protocols.
- Nano-Ojas → A clean, targeted formula that replenishes cellular vitality and supports deeper resilience. Learn more here.
- Stem Cell Phototherapy Patches (X39) → These patches help activate your body’s innate stem cells, supporting healing, hormone balance, and tissue repair when other supports plateau. Explore them here.
- You can find the unlinked supplements here in my Fullscript practitioner dispensary.
Things to Consider with Your Provider
There are emerging supports outside nutrition that some women are exploring:
- Very low-dose nicotine patches → Anecdotally and in early PubMed-backed studies, tiny doses (like 1/8th of a patch) appear to calm inflammation, improve cognition, and support nervous system regulation in Long COVID. This isn’t something I use myself, but it’s worth knowing about and discussing with your provider.
Nervous System & Recovery
When both perimenopause and Long COVID are in play, the nervous system is often on overload. Pushing harder usually backfires. Gentle is powerful:
- Breathwork, grounding, prayer
- Walking or stretching instead of HIIT
- Prioritizing rest, sunlight, and slow mornings
If you’ve been told “it’s just perimenopause” or brushed off with “it’s Long COVID, nothing to do but wait”—hear me clearly: you are not broken. There are real, practical tools that can help your body recover and your hormones rebalance.
Yes, Long COVID can feel like it stole your energy, focus, and even your cycle stability. Yes, perimenopause adds its own layers. But there is hope. With nutrition, minerals, anti-inflammatory supports, binders, glutathione, nattokinase, and advanced therapies like Nano-Ojas and stem cell phototherapy patches, I’ve seen women regain clarity, vitality, and connection.
✨ If you’re navigating this overlap and don’t know where to start, I can help. Apply to work with me, and let’s build a protocol that actually supports your recovery.
—
🌿 Brenna May, NTP
Order professional-grade supplements through my Fullscript dispensary
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.