Women’s Health
Many women who come in to see me are not keen on using pharmaceutical medications to treat their health concerns because they want to understand and treat the root cause of their issues, rather than consider a bandaid solution that often drives the disease deeper. My goal is to determine and treat the underlying cause of women’s health conditions and treat them naturally using diet and nutrition, herbal and homeopathic medicine, nutraceuticals, acupuncture and lifestyle approaches.
Peri-Menopause
Not all women experience symptoms during peri-menopause but for those who do, there are many natural solutions to make the transition smoother. During peri-menopause, the ovaries slow down their production of estrogen and progesterone and the adrenal glands are expected to take over. If the adrenals are exhausted from years of stress, symptoms of estrogen deficiency can occur such as mood changes like anxiety or depression, low energy, insomnia, weight gain, vaginal dryness and low libido. My approach is to combine functional hormone testing with an individualized treatment plan that involves diet changes to support weight loss, simplified exercise, stress and dopamine support as well as herbal and nutritional supplements.
The Birth Control Pill & Menstrual Irregularities
The pill is prescribed for many “non-contraceptive” reasons (from acne to fibroids) and to regulate cycles that are too early, too late or too heavy. However, little consideration to side effects is given, such as blood clots and breast cancer. While the pill improves symptoms for a period of time, they generally come back often worse than before when the pill is discontinued. It’s my mission to help women get off the birth control pill as smoothly as possible in order to clear the cobwebs so that the underlying hormonal imbalance can be revealed and treated appropriately.
PMS and Breast Disorders
PMS can be mild for some women or debilitating for others. PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a much more severe form of PMS that affects 6-8% of women. Many women also experience tender or lumpy breasts prior to their menses, fatigue, mood changes as well as bloating and headaches. Regardless of the exact symptoms a woman is experiencing, uncovering the specific hormone imbalance is vital in determining treatment direction.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a disorder characterized by many fluid-filled cysts and excessive levels of male androgen hormones, which can cause acne, oily skin or course hair growth on the face and chest. Ovaries are typically enlarged and contain multiple cysts, but some women with PCOS have no cysts present. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular menstrual cycles with copious bleeding or a lack of periods altogether, difficulty conceiving or frequent miscarriages. It is also associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism, causing obesity in some women. Since there are 4 types of PCOS, I help women navigate this complex disease through specific bloodwork and functional hormone testing to bring hormones and blood sugar back into balance through individualized diet and exercise protocols, as well as specific herbs and nutraceuticals.
Difficulty Losing Weight
There are multiple factors involved in stubborn weight loss including hormone and neurotransmitter imbalance, blood sugar imbalance and insulin sensitivity, food sensitivities, excessive caloric consumption, poor adrenal stress adaptation, poor fat metabolism, insufficient sleep, chronic dehydration as well as the adverse effects of medications. My thorough patient intake allows for a more detailed assessment of all the factors that may be causing or contributing to obesity in my patients for a more comprehensive and lasting treatment approach.
Recurring infections (BV, UTI, Yeast, Herpes)
Vaginitis can be caused by infectious organisms, such as bacteria, fungi or protozoa as well as chemical irritants and hormone imbalance, causing symptoms of burning, redness, swelling, itching and discharge. Frequent and/or low grade infections indicate an issue with the immune system, which often involves the gut and liver systems. Looking at infections from a holistic perspective, including the mental emotional components, is vital to improve the frequency and severity of these infections.
Thyroid Imbalance
The thyroid gland sets the rate of your body’s metabolism and regulates nearly every cell of your body. Symptoms of low thyroid (hypothyroid) include: fatigue, weight gain, hair thinning, dry skin, brittle nails, constipation, menstrual problems or menopausal symptoms. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is an auto-immune condition. Symptoms of increase thyroid gland activity (hyperthyroid) include: unintentional weight loss, rapid and pounding heartbeat, increased appetite and anxiety or irritability. Assessing thyroid function is not always straightforward so it’s important to assess specific markers that may have never been tested, as well as the function of other hormones including the sex and adrenal hormones. Determining the root cause of thyroid imbalance is imperative in optimizing thyroid hormone levels.