Androgens are often referred to as ‘male sex hormones,’ but they’re present in both men and women. When it comes to women, we hear the most about testosterone, DHEA-S and DHT.
Your Questions: Natural Approaches to Period Cramps?
Birth control is NOT the only option for painful (dysmenorrhea) and/or heavy periods (menorrhagia). And before jumping on a medication or supplement your HCP should always look into potential causes of extreme cramping – ie. endometriosis, fibroids, etc.
Prostaglandins are a major factor in menstrual cramps – once a month (when Aunt Flow comes to town) they cause uterine muscles to contract in order to release the uterine lining (endometrium). Prostaglandins aren’t bad (they are important for blood clots, inducing labour, etc.), but if certain prostaglandins are high in your cycle – this can predispose to more painful menstrual cramping.
How Alcohol Affects Your Hormones
So - the liver is responsible for detoxing alcohol. But it’s also important for metabolizing estrogen. In women, more than one alcoholic drink per day has been shown to increase circulation of androgens (ie. testosterone) and estrogens (1, 2) – this predisposes you to symptoms of estrogen dominance.
Your Morning Cup of Joe (or Tea!) and Iron Absorption
Telemedicine: Virtual Consults in Manitoba
Perimenopause: The Shift into Menopause
Using Food as Medicine to Address Stress
We’re stressed out, right? Well, the increased cortisol produced by stress makes us hungry - hungry for carbs, sugar and fat (and not the good kinds, okay?). If we follow suit and eat like this all the time we start to feel fatigued (and in desperately hoping for a caffeine boost), moody and may even start to find that we don’t think as clearly (some will call this ‘brain fog’). And stress forces our body to utilize a significant amount of nutrients to produce the energy we need to respond - even if our stress is created by sitting in front of a computer all day.
Chilling Out Cortisol
Chronically stressed out? I won’t lie, me too.
But yikes, that eventually catches up to you. Cortisol (aka our stress hormone) is important for our functioning (and our ability to adapt to stress) – but too much or too little can be problematic.
Do you know how to deal with chronically elevated cortisol?
Why Am I Losing Hair?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - Emphasis on Syndrome
What To Consider When Thinking About Male Fertility
Time and time again, infertility problems are often primarily thought of as a female issue. Male infertility is talked about significantly less, and in my own clinical and personal experience, more commonly overlooked. Men considering their own fertility may feel isolated, and even undervalued in their own contribution to the process. So, let’s talk about it.
What Do Naturopathic Doctors Do?
Dysregulation of the Menstrual Cycle - What's Going On In My Cycle?
Acne - How Naturopathic Medicine Gave Me Control
Probiotics - Quality >/< Quantity?
Probiotics contain microorganisms, and most of these little microorganisms are similar to the naturally-occurring, beneficial bacteria of the human gut. Probiotics often contain a variety of strains, including those of the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces species.
So - what’s more important? Quality or quantity?