Reproductive and Women's Health

Women's health is not limited to the reproductive years, and ought to be supported across the spectrum of a woman’s life. Concerns pertinent to women’s health can include:

• Fertility Concerns
• Endometriosis
• Menopausal Symptoms
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Hypo/Hyperthyroid Conditions
• Yeast or Bladder Infections
• Depression or Anxiety
• Painful or Irregular Menstrual Cycles
• Pregnancy and Birth
• Fibrocystic Breasts
• Eating Disorders
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Sexual Health

Naturopathy: A primary goal in treating women's health concerns is to balance hormones, thus recalibrating the body's chemistry in order to slow down or reverse the disease process, and to prevent disease before it occurs. To aid this process, a large emphasis is placed on supporting the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms. A toxic body sets the stage for sluggish digestion, fatigue, hormonal fluctuations and impaired cognitive function. This, in turn contributes to a more toxic state as the body’s elimination pathways are hindered, feeding a vicious cycle. A naturopathic doctor will approach each woman differently, depending on her lifestyle, complete health history, family history and personal health goals.

Acupuncture and PreMenstrual Syndrome: Acupuncture therapy and traditional medicines prepared from herbs are effective in relieving the symptoms of many complex gynecological disorders including premenstrual syndrome. Acupuncture removes energy blockages in the body, which in turn normalize hormonal fluctuations contributing to PMS. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine will generally help to reduce the pain and other symptoms associated with PMS such as depressive moods and bloating. Chinese herbs work together with diet therapy and acupuncture to regulate the flow of energy and substances in the body, while stimulating the body's natural functions and encouraging optimal balance.

Massage Therapy and the Childbearing Year: Receiving prenatal massage is invaluable for increasing your energy, relieving discomfort and helping you to relax during your pregnancy. The caring touch of massage can help you experience your changing body in a positive accepting way. At a time when so much of the focus is on the baby, massage is a special way to nurture yourself. Massage can help with many of the discomforts often associated with pregnancy, including constipation, gas and heartburn, edema, muscle and joint pain, and headaches. In preparation for the birthing process, receiving massage can help by increasing your body awareness and teaching you how to consciously release tension. As you grow more in tune with your body, the resulting self confidence remains with you throughout labor and delivery. Postpartum, massage can help you both physically and psychologically. The reduced tension and increased energy resulting from postpartum massage enables you to better handle the physical demands of caring for a newborn. Psychologically, massage can nurture and comfort you whether or not you are experiencing postpartum blues. A study published in Pediatric Nursing found that infants who were massaged before sleeping, had a tendency to fall asleep more quickly and exhibited more consistent sleeping patterns than infants who were not massaged. After eight months, the same infants who received massage as newborns displayed optimal cognitive and motor control development.

Self Treatment Techniques: Like any health concern, a woman’s physical, mental and emotional health is a reflection of her body’s capacity to bring into balance all aspects of her being. Hence, it becomes essential to bring awareness to one’s whole body by evaluating dietary patterns, genetic predispositions, sleep habits, menstrual cycles, sexual health, stress levels, and other lifestyle components such as physical activity and overall sense of wellbeing.

Your body is a unique entity, thus your treatment should be tailored specifically to your needs. You should always seek the advice of your health care practitioner to guide you along the path of optimal wellness.

Keep in mind that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

• Perform a self breast exam on a monthly basis. Familiarize yourself with the consistency of your breast tissue as it changes throughout your cycle.
• Maintain a regular screening schedule of yearly mammograms and papsmears.
• Maintain a journal of micro-changes in your health, including menstrual cycles and fluctuations in weight, energy levels, libido and mood.