We take the extra time to provide focused care through this transitional period.

Your Naturopathic Doctor will work with you to determine which testing method is most appropriate for your particular health concerns. comprehensive naturopathic treatment plan to support the menopausal transition and associated symptoms of hot flashes/flushes, decreased libido, mood changes and cognitive changes, your ND will receive your report and contact you to schedule an appointment to review your results together. With this information a more targeted treatment program will be tailored for you. Along with treating your current symptoms, we take a thorough approach to assess your whole health, rule out other causes, and provide preventative strategies for long term health.

Definitions: The perimenopausal transition can last up to 10 years. Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It's diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period.

During the transitional period estrogen and progesterone production can be erratic or excessive or deficient, which can be assessed clinically.

Conventional tests:

• Ordering blood work is often a first step in assessing hormone levels for many female patients. Any recent blood work can be reviewed and interpreted as well to assess for your next best steps.

• Although blood work isn’t necessary to diagnose menopause, the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can be vague and common to other conditions. We most often use blood work to rule out other causes for your symptoms including checking your complete blood cell count, thyroid function, other hormones, electrolytes, liver and kidney panels or we may order a complete health check.

Sex Hormone Testing:

• Blood Hormones may be recommended due to cost, more research available, or because your specific symptoms point to a requirement for a baseline or follow-up blood monitoring.

• Urine Hormones are sometimes used when we want to understand how the body is metabolizing hormones - especially estrogens and androgens - allowing us to know more precisely where imbalances are coming from. Doesn’t necessarily tell us about tissue uptake, but can tell us more exactly on how to improve metabolism or elimination of estrogens/androgens/cortisol (root cause treatment). Testing is done at home and does require some preparation for the test and collection may need to be done on specific days of cycle. Send samples directly to the lab via a prepaid mailer

• Tests are ordered through Life Labs Or Dutch Complete by Precision Analytical depending on your practitioner’s assessment and recommendations. Learn more about Dutch Complete Testing here.

Potential Treatment Recommendations

• Dietary Choices & Optimizing Nutrition

• Botanical Therapies - single herbs or herbal combinations

• Lifestyle Counselling

• Nutraceutical supplementation to correct deficiencies

• Maintenance check-ins and refining your treatment plan as your symptoms dissipate and stabilize over time
  

Please note: Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario have rights to ordering and interpreting labs, however, labs are considered private care and not covered under OHIP. All labs ordered through the clinic are first processed for payment and then a requisition and/or test kit is then provided. A follow up appointment will then be booked to review your results.

If you are a new patient and have questions about what to expect please visit New Patient Info page or email us at info@wnhn.ca.

Connecting Factors

Certain vitamins and minerals have an impact on sex and stress hormone production such as Vitamin D, magnesium, iron, certain B vitamins and zinc. Even certain conditions may have an impact such as hypothyroidism. That’s why we take a wholistic approach to assessment and treatment.

Integrating Care

You may also be receiving care from another practitioner to help manage your symptoms. We are happy to joint your health team and guide you to avoid interactions between natural approaches and medication.