Rather than targeting specific hormones, acupuncture helps bring overall hormonal balance in the body. We can target the affected endocrine glands if testing has been performed, or simply address the symptoms if there hasn't been testing. Both approaches help reestablish long term hormonal balance.

In Naturopathic Medicine the key to treating menstrual disorders is not to treat the hormones themselves. Rather they are a clue to an underlying inflammatory or pain condition such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, heavy bleeding, and others. Through charting of your cycle - which is often helpful - we can obtain blood work during ovulation to truly assess your hormone levels. From there the approach is individualized.

As the name suggests, bioidentical hormones are hormones that are chemically identical to the ones produced by your body. In traditional hormone therapy, the hormones used are chemically different from those found in the body or in bioidentical hormone therapy (also known as BHRT). At Femade, our Naturopathic Doctors are able to work with patients to support hormone balancing with bioidentical hormone therapy. ND’s can choose to undergo additional training to be licensed to prescribe certain controlled substances such as bioidentical hormones. Our NDs focus their practice on helping female-identified patients with hormonal problems, including endometriosis, infertility and menopausal issues. They commonly use bioidentical hormones in their practice and is eager to work with patients to find the safest and most effective way to manage symptoms and hormonal disorders.

Menopause is such a buzz word in society, signifying the stage in life when a person no longer has their period. But in reality it is so much more than that. It is a process that can happen relatively early in life for some people, beginning slowly as a perimenopausal state and transitions into full blown menopause. There is also chemical induced menopause - such as through the use of Lupron - or surgically induced menopause via an oophorectomy. Life choices may bring about these dramatic hormonal changes as early as your 20s or 30s, kickstarting a cascade of events that your body may not be ready for.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine we work with Yin and Yang: - the Yin is the ability to calm down, the body fluids: the hormones; The Yang is the energetic side, the ability to get up and go: movement in the body. Someone with menopause usually has a deficiency in the Yin and the Yang. Acupuncture for menopause can address the balance of hormones themselves, but also targets the prominent side effects such as night sweats, hot flashes, and restless sleep. Acupuncture can also address vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, prolapses, and weight gain.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is a helpful tool to address pelvic pain associated with menopause. It is not uncommon to experience the following: vaginal dryness, prolapse, urinary frequency; all of which may be helped by training the pelvic floor muscles through engagement with the pelvic floor.

For any hormone-related issue we would focus on dietary changes and bioidentical hormones which have shown to have a lot of success. Ultimately we want to improve quality of life which does not - from a naturopathic perspective - involve masking symptoms with more generalized synthetic hormones. Instead we look at the whole body, the various things that may be happening, and how we can get the body to function optimally.