Women’s health sometimes seems synonymous with the cycles of reproduction and the dance of the hormones that control these cycles.
With so many players in the orchestra, it doesn’t take much for one aspect of our lives to have an impact on the way the whole symphony ends up playing!
Issues specific to women’s health are numerous!
For many women the menstrual experience is unpleasant. And what’s probably worse, is that many women believe that this is normal. It isn’t. You gauge your normal by the experiences of other women around you. Your mother, your sister/s your friend/s. It may come as a surprise to many to learn that not only is it not normal to have these problems, but there is something you can do to improve things.
Common problems associated with the menstrual cycle:
- pain (which could be due to endometriosis)
- cramping
- bloating
- mood changes (e.g., anxiety, irritability)
- flooding
- irregularity
- spotting
- PMS
- the cessation of menstrual cycles – Menopause
PMS (premenstrual symptoms) is a very common issue for many women. Typically starting up to a week before the onset of bleeding, the associated fluctuations in hormones can cause irritability, cravings, bloating, depression and breast tenderness. Fortunately this is an area that natural management can improve exponentially.
You don’t need to suffer for a single month longer!
Hormonal irregularities can lead to or worsen:
Endometriosis, fibroids, cervical dysplasia and cancers of the breast, cervix, ovaries and uterus are all connected to hormonal irregularities.
Infertility can be an issue for couple at any time during the reproductive years and can often be treated with great success when a “whole person” approach is taken. Ideally both partners should attend an appointment – although it is not essential that this be done at the same time. Rest assured that you will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality. As a basic tenet of natural medicine is discovering the causes of problems, we will thoroughly investigate all possible avenues.
You might choose to get some data ahead of your appointment. One functional test we use extensively in clinic is the DUTCH hormone test.
Pregnancy is a very special time – women require extra nutritional support which must be co-created with great care to enhance the health of both mother and baby. Emotional support is important too – particularly if a woman is prone to low mood.
Breastfeeding has its demands as well, and again great care must be taken to ensure safe and effective strategies are put in place.