My practice is all about finding ease. Whether it is with food and eating, hormonal shifts and menstrual cycles, or mental wellbeing. I am passionate about helping people experience better periods at all life stages, improved digestion & relationship to food, and improved mental health.
Read moreUnderstanding Perimenopause: Early vs. Late Signs and Symptoms - By Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen, ND
As a naturopathic doctor with a passion for women's health, I often encounter patients who are navigating the phase of life known as perimenopause. This transitional period can bring about various changes in a woman's body, with early and late perimenopause marking distinct stages in the process. To shed light on this topic, let's delve deeper into the signs and symptoms of each phase, as well as provide clarity on perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
Read moreFinding the Right Fit: Choosing between Iron Infusions or Oral Supplementation for Iron Deficiency - By Dr. Chelsea Cole, ND
Learn all about the symptoms, causes and risk factors of iron deficiency, as well as your treatment options. In some cases oral iron supplementation isn’t enough, and that’s when iron infusions come into play. We are pleased to offer this valuable service to the Victoria community. Learn more about IV iron in Dr. Chelsea Cole ND’s newest blog article.
Read moreThe Power of Diet in Managing PCOS: Exploring the Mediterranean Diet and Low Glycemic Index Foods - By Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen, ND
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, often causing difficulty with weight management, insulin resistance, acne, menstrual cycle irregularity and fertility concerns. While there is no definitive cure for PCOS, adopting a healthy diet can play a crucial role in managing insulin resistance and its associated symptoms. In this article, we will explore the Mediterranean diet and low glycemic index foods as potential dietary approaches to support women with PCOS.
Read moreTop 5 Supplements for Endometriosis - By Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen, ND
Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition that affects approximately one in ten women of reproductive age. In this article, I will review the causes and risk factors of endometriosis, as well as the top 5 supplements I recommend in my naturopathic practice for endometriosis management.
Read moreUnderstanding the Link Between Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and Bone Health - By Dr. Chelsea Cole ND
Many people are aware that having irregular periods negatively affects hormones and fertility, but did you know that not having a period can affect your bone health? For example, hormonal conditions like hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), increase the risk of low bone density and fractures. If you are struggling with an irregular or absent cycle, this is just another reason to investigate your hormones, and get on a plan to feel better.
Read moreThe Power of HIIT: Improving PCOS Symptoms One Workout at a Time - By Dr. Chelsea Cole, ND
Have you heard about avoiding high intensity exercises if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? The thought is that these activities increase cortisol levels, which can negatively affect hormone balance. In fact, there is a lot of online discussion these days about modifying your movement depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle, for a variety of different hormonal concerns, including PCOS. While it makes sense to tune into your body, and honor what you need, sometimes this conversation is filled with misinformation and can become another barrier to regular movement. So, I want to take some time to talk about recent research into the benefits of high intensity interval training (HIIT) for those with PCOS.
Read moreNavigating Endometriosis with Food: Key Nutritional Strategies to Consider - By Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen, ND
Endometriosis is a condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissues outside the uterine lining, causing symptoms such as pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and fertility complications. While there are a variety of treatment options available to ease symptoms of endometriosis, recent research suggests that dietary interventions may have a role in the prevention and management of this condition. In this article, we will explore the link between diet and endometriosis and discuss important nutritional strategies that may help improve symptoms and overall well-being.
Read moreThe Heart of the Matter: How Hormones Affect Women's Cardiovascular Health
For World Menopause Day this year, the International Menopause Society launched a campaign to raise awareness on the effects of hormones on cardiovascular health in women. Specifically, they highlighted the potential cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk associated with various reproductive milestones in a woman’s life. These milestones include menstrual cyclicity, adverse pregnancy outcomes, breast cancer treatments, and menopause itself. This is such an important topic in the sphere of women’s health, and something that I review with my patients regularly. Let’s dive into the details shall we!
Read moreCyclical Progesterone Therapy for Heavy Menstrual Periods in Perimenopause - By Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen, ND
Heavy menstrual bleeding in is one of the most common perimenopausal concerns we see in naturopathic practice. In this article, we will explore the use of cyclical progesterone therapy as an effective option for managing heavy menstrual periods in perimenopause.
Read moreGetting to Know Your Menstrual Cycle: Emergency Contraception - By Dr. Chelsea Cole, ND
Understanding contraception, including emergency contraception, is an important part of sexual wellbeing. Learn more about your options in Dr. Chelsea Cole’s newest blog article (…)
Read moreGetting to Know Your Menstrual Cycle: Mood, Hormones, and Menstruation - By Dr. Chelsea Cole, ND
Learn all about why mood changes occurr during the mesntrual cycle in Dr. Chelsea Cole’s newest blog article (…)
Read moreGetting to Know Your Menstrual Cycle: The 3 Phases - By Dr. Chelsea Cole, ND
Learn all about the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle and what hormones govern them, in Dr. Chelsea Cole’s newest blog article (…)
Read moreHow To Reduce Toxin Exposure To Support Hormone Health - Dr. Courtenay Boer, ND
It’s no secret that our environment can affect our health. Factors are diverse, from the quality of the air we breathe, to the food we eat, to the clothes we wear and beyond. Environmental toxins are ubiquitous in our world and they have significant consequences for health and hormones. Many of these toxins have been found to have endocrine-disrupting properties, so we label them as endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs. Some of these EDCs have been identified as xenoestrogens, which means they are exogenous (environmental) chemical compounds that mimic estrogen in the body and can modulate estrogenic activity (…)
Read moreGetting to Know Your Menstrual Cycle: Infrequent or Absent Cycles - Dr. Chelsea Cole, ND
While menstruating can be a difficult, and sometimes inconvenient, monthly experience, it is still concerning when a menstrual cycle is missed. Outside of pregnancy, perimenopause/menopause, or some hormonal intrauterine devices (IUD), it is not normal to have infrequent or absent menstrual cycles. Learn all about underlying causes, and laboratory testing for irregular or absent menstrual cycles in Dr. Chelsea Cole’s newest blog article (…)
Read moreWomen's Health Medicine Cabinet - By Dr. Chelsea Cole, ND
I like my medicine cabinet to be found in my kitchen cupboards, and on a shelf laden with botanicals for everything from a cold to a sleepless night. While there are many folk remedies to be found in books and online, I do like to go a step further and research the evidence behind nature’s remedies. In this way, I feel confident in what I am choosing to keep on hand (…)
Read moreThe Sunshine Vitamin & Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - By Dr. Chelsea Cole
Now that the weather is warming up, exposure to sunshine will help increase vitamin D levels. While an adequate vitamin D level is important for many different aspects of health and wellness, it may be particularly helpful for those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Read on to learn more (…)
Read moreManaging Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) With Herbal Medicine - Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen
As a Naturopathic Doctor that has a special interest in women’s health, I often see patients seeking support for symptoms associated with their menstrual cycle. For some women, premenstrual symptoms can be a short and mostly insignificant blip on the radar; nothing more than a gentle reminder of what’s to come. However, for many women PMS can be caused by a fairly significant hormonal imbalance, which can lead to symptoms including depression, anxiety, cramps, mood swings, fatigue, breast tenderness, water retention and weight gain (…)
Read moreUsing Food As Medicine For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - By Dr. Chelsea Cole, ND
While mood swings, breast pain, and a number of other premenstrual symptoms are unpleasant for everyone who experiences them, some people are particularly affected. When these symptoms start interfering with daily living, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is the likely diagnosis. Learn how naturopathic medicine can help improve quality of life in those suffering from PMDD (…)
Read moreWomen's Health - The Importance Of Ovulation - Dr. Carla Cashin, ND
Ovulation is a key moment of the menstrual cycle, where a mature egg is released from the ovary. It is an important physiological process obviously for fertility, but plays a fundamental role in women’s health beyond this as well (...)
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