Women’s Health in St. Albert & Edmonton
We Are Here, When Your Hormones Feel Like They're Running the Show
Mood swings that hit out of nowhere. Periods that used to be predictable and aren't anymore. Sleep that won't come, energy that won't stay, weight that won't budge no matter what you try. If this sounds familiar, you're not imagining it and, you're not alone.
As naturopathic doctors serving women throughout St. Albert and the greater Edmonton area, we take the time to understand what’s happening in your body—not just which symptom to treat first.
Why Hormones Affect So Much More Than Your Cycle
Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones can all influence how you feel and function. Changes in hormone levels can contribute to symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, skin changes, weight changes, brain fog, low libido, and sleep disruption.
Rather than focusing on one symptom at a time, our naturopathic doctors look at the bigger picture to understand what may be contributing to your concerns. This may include:
- A detailed history and discussion of your symptoms, menstrual cycle, health history, and lifestyle
- Bloodwork and other testing, when appropriate, to assess hormone levels and identify other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms
- An individualized treatment plan that may include nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, dietary guidance, and lifestyle strategies
Our goal is to understand the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a personalized plan to help you feel your best.
Naturopathic PCOS Support
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), increasingly referred to as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), can look different from person to person. Irregular menstrual cycles, acne, unwanted hair growth or hair loss, changes in weight, and mood symptoms are common concerns. It can be challenging to find care that looks at the whole picture rather than focusing on just one symptom or hormone imbalance.
Our naturopathic doctors have extensive experience helping women with PCOS. We consider factors such as blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, hormonal patterns, nutrition, and lifestyle when developing an individualized treatment plan. Depending on your symptoms and health history, we may also recommend bloodwork or other appropriate testing to better understand the factors contributing to your concerns.
Our goal is to help manage symptoms, support more regular menstrual cycles, and address the hormonal and metabolic factors that may be contributing to your concerns.
PCOS (PMOS) is a long-term condition, and your needs may change over time. We work with you to develop a personalized plan based on your symptoms, health history, and goals, with realistic expectations for treatment and ongoing care.
Naturopathic Menopause Care
Perimenopause and menopause can bring significant changes to how you feel and function. Hot flashes and night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes, anxiety, brain fog, changes in memory and concentration, fatigue, weight changes, changes in libido, vaginal and urinary symptoms, and menstrual changes are just some of the concerns women may experience. The intensity and combination of symptoms can vary widely from person to person.
Our naturopathic doctors have helped many women navigate perimenopause and menopause. We take the time to understand your symptoms, menstrual and reproductive history, health history, lifestyle, and individual goals rather than assuming that every woman needs the same approach.
Depending on your symptoms and needs, care may include nutritional and herbal support, lifestyle strategies, targeted bloodwork, and discussion of hormone therapy and other treatment options when appropriate. We can also help address concerns such as sleep, mood, sexual health, metabolic health, and changes in body composition that may occur during this stage of life.
Our goal is not simply to help you “get through” perimenopause and menopause. We want to help you feel more like yourself, understand the changes happening in your body, and develop a personalized plan that supports your health and quality of life through this stage and beyond.
Naturopathic Care for PMS
PMS is more than simply having a few difficult days before your period. For some women, symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, mood changes, cramping, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, fatigue, and changes in sleep or appetite can significantly affect work, relationships, and quality of life each month.
Our naturopathic doctors look at when your symptoms occur, how they change throughout your menstrual cycle, and how they affect your day-to-day life. Understanding this pattern can provide important clues when determining the most appropriate approach to treatment.
Depending on your symptoms, treatment may include nutritional and herbal support, dietary changes, lifestyle strategies, and targeted testing when clinically appropriate. We also consider whether symptoms may be related to other conditions, including perimenopause, thyroid concerns, or more significant premenstrual mood symptoms.
The goal is not simply to manage the few days before your period, but to reduce the impact PMS has on your life and help you feel well throughout your cycle.
Naturopathic Fertility Support
Whether you're preparing for pregnancy or experiencing challenges with fertility, naturopathic care can be a valuable part of your overall reproductive health care. Our naturopathic doctors work alongside your family doctor, OB/GYN, or fertility specialist to complement—not replace—your medical care.
We take a comprehensive look at factors that can influence reproductive health, including menstrual cycles, ovulation, nutrition, metabolic health, stress, sleep, lifestyle, and relevant hormone levels. We may also recommend targeted bloodwork or nutritional support when appropriate.
For those preparing for pregnancy, we can help you optimize your health before conception and support healthy habits throughout the preconception period. For women experiencing fertility challenges, we can work alongside your existing fertility care to address nutritional and lifestyle factors and provide individualized support throughout the process.
Every fertility journey is different. We don't promise a particular outcome, but we provide evidence-informed, individualized care designed around your health, circumstances, and goals.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment starts with a real conversation: your symptoms, your history, your goals, and what's realistic to expect. If testing makes sense for your situation, we'll talk through that too. From there, we build your plan together, so you understand every part of it before you leave.
Your Questions, Answered
Have questions about naturopathic care? We're here to help you understand your journey to natural health.
What's the difference between a naturopathic doctor and my family doctor for hormone issues?
Naturopathic doctors and family doctors can offer different but complementary approaches to hormone-related concerns. Both can assess symptoms, take a detailed health history, and diagnose conditions within their respective scopes of practice. Family doctors can prescribe medications and hormone therapies, while naturopathic doctors focus more extensively on nutrition, lifestyle, herbal medicine, and other natural therapies that may support hormonal and overall health.
Naturopathic doctors may also recommend targeted bloodwork or other testing when appropriate. Many patients choose to use both approaches, and we take into account medications, hormone therapies, and other treatments you may already be receiving to help ensure that your naturopathic treatment plan is safe and appropriate.
Do I need testing before my first appointment?
No. You do not need to have testing completed before your first appointment. If you have had recent bloodwork or other relevant test results, we encourage you to bring them with you. Your naturopathic doctor will review your health history and symptoms first and can then determine whether additional testing would be useful.
Can naturopathic care help with PCOS long-term, not just symptom relief?
Yes. PCOS is a long-term condition, and effective care involves more than simply managing individual symptoms. Our naturopathic doctors look at the broader factors associated with PCOS, including menstrual cycles, ovulation, insulin sensitivity, nutrition, metabolic health, lifestyle, and hormonal patterns. We develop individualized plans that can evolve over time as your symptoms, health, and goals change.
The goal is to provide ongoing support for managing PCOS and improving overall health—not simply to address one symptom at a time.
Is naturopathic fertility support a replacement for fertility treatment?
Not necessarily. Naturopathic fertility care and conventional fertility treatment can be used together, depending on your individual circumstances. Some women conceive naturally with naturopathic support, while others use naturopathic care alongside treatment through a fertility clinic.
Our naturopathic doctors focus on factors that can influence reproductive health, including nutrition, menstrual cycles, ovulation, metabolic health, lifestyle, and preconception health. If you are receiving treatment from a fertility clinic or other medical provider, we take those treatments into account when developing your naturopathic plan and make sure our recommendations are appropriate and safe to use alongside your medical care.
The goal is to provide individualized support while recognizing when specialized fertility investigation or treatment is needed.