Supporting women’s general health needs including hormonal issues, digestive complaints, chronic stress, fatigue, poor immunity, recurrent infections, healthy skin and nutritional guidence. The following conditions are some of the more specific hormonal issues that women often seek my assistance with.
Hormonal Irregularities
Hormonal Irregularities
Irregularites such as heavy and painful periods can be debilitating for many women of all ages. When normal daily activities are affected, a reliance on pain medication is often needed, and days away from work or school can occur. This shouldn’t be considered as normal. It is an indication that medical investigation and hormone and nutritional support is needed.
PMS
PMS
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a term that is used to describe a range of physical and emotional symptoms that can occur predominantly the week or more prior to a menstrual bleed. Some of the symptoms experienced may be - tender breasts, abdominal bloating, food cravings, mood swings, nausea and headaches.
PMDD
PMDD
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) involves PMS symptoms along with more severe symptoms of anxiety and depression, which often begin from ovulation (mid-cycle) and can last for at least two weeks or more each month.
Polycystic Ovararian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovararian Syndrome (PCOS)
As the name suggests, this is a syndrome and there are many varied symptoms. Higher than normal levels of androgens (male hormones) are often associated with PCOS. Irregular cycles, hirsutism (excessive dark course hair growth on the face, chest, back and lower abdomen), irregular or absent menstrual cycles, male pattern head hair loss, acne and multiple follicles (often referred to as cysts) may be present. Metabolic imbalances like insulin resistance can be associated with PCOS making it at times very difficult to lose weight. For some women fertility issues can be a result due to the irregularity of ovulation and the many PCOS symptoms.
Hypothalamic Amennorhea
Hypothalamic Amennorhea
Hypothalamic ammenorrhea is the absence of a women’s menstrual cycle due to changes in that occur in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain involved with controlling hormones via its relationship with the pituitary gland, also located in the brain. Common causes can include stress, restrictive eating and over-exercising which could in short stop ovulation, ceasing menstruation.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis
This inflammatory condition occurs when endometrial-like tissue (similar to that which builds and sheds in a women’s uterus each month), grows in other areas outside of the uterine lining. During the menstrual cycle this tissue responds to hormones and sheds just as the lining of the uterus does leading to inflammation, pain and other symptoms. The cause is still not definitive, and although it is considered a reproductive issue, research has found that the immune system plays a significant role in its development. Currently the most accurate way to diagnose endometriosis is via a laparoscopy.
Perimenopause / Menopause
Perimenopause / Menopause
Menopause is not a disease, but rather the natural cessation of a women’s menstural cycle. However the transition into this period of a women’s life can be overwhelming with varying experiences for each person. Cyclic changes, hot flushes, increased anxiety, depression, weight gain and insomnia are just some of the more common symptoms that can occur.