Are you gaining weight unexpectedly?
Dealing with muscle weakness, aches, or tenderness?
Has your sex drive plummeted?
Do you have unexpected hair growth or has your hair become thin and brittle?
If so, these are just some of the many symptoms of a hormonal imbalance in women.
When it comes to women’s health, each woman has unique health needs that reflect her body composition, health history and lifestyle.
Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, naturopathic doctor in Ottawa, takes care to craft each treatment plan to the specific needs and goals of each woman.
She respects and celebrates the uniqueness of each woman’s body and will work with you to develop a treatment, prevention, or supportive protocol that complements your lifestyle, current level of health, and health goals.
Below, let’s take a look at some of the more common hormonal disorders women can face, and how naturopathic treatment for hormonal conditions can help.
If you suspect you may have a hormonal imbalance, or you’ve been diagnosed with a hormonal disorder, book your appointment with Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, today.
Note: Sex and gender exist on a spectrum, and your lived experience may or may not match what you find in this article, which is geared toward cisgender women. Regardless of your gender identity or expression, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can work with you. She’ll take the time to understand your unique situation, and find a solution that works for you, all the while affirming your identity.
Natural Treatments for Hormonal Imbalance in Females
Hormones play an important role in your body’s overall health by acting as chemical messengers in your body.
In women, hormones are especially important for your reproductive health.
Even small changes in your hormones can cause a hormonal imbalance that has serious effects.
If you have a hormonal imbalance, you may experience symptoms like:
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Excessive hair on your face, chin, or other body parts
- Acne on your face, chest, or upper back
- Hair loss
- Pain during sex
- Night sweats
- Headaches
While the hormones estrogen and progesterone are most associated with women’s hormonal health, testosterone plays an important role as well. In fact, all three of these hormones are present to varying degrees in all human bodies, regardless of gender.
As a naturopathic doctor in the Ottawa area with a focus on women’s health, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can provide you with natural solutions to help improve hormonal imbalances.
Naturopathic Treatments for PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance disorder that happens when your body produces more testosterone than it should.
PCOS can cause you to skip periods, create cysts in your ovaries, make it harder for you to get pregnant, and increase your risk for endometrial cancer.
It can also cause hair growth on your face or body and can contribute to your risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Some of the most common symptoms of PCOS in women include:
- Irregular periods
- Heavy bleeding
- Hair growth on your face and body
- Acne on your face, chest, and upper back
- Weight gain
- Male pattern baldness
- Dark skin patches in body creases like your neck, groin, and under your breasts
- Headaches
Living with polycystic ovarian syndrome can be frustrating, but there is help available.
Dr Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can work with you to uncover the source of your symptoms, and if it turns out to be PCOS, help you manage your symptoms and continue to life a healthy life.
Book your appointment with Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, today.
RELATED: Diabetes And Pancreas Disorders
Endometriosis Natural Treatments
Endometriosis happens when the lining of your uterus, called endometrium, grows outside your uterine cavity.
It can grow on your ovaries, bowel, and even on the tissues that line your pelvis.
When your period starts, this misplaced tissue will grow, thicken, and break down.
Eventually, the tissue will build up and become trapped in your pelvis which can cause irritation, scarring, severe pain, fertility problems, and can even bind the organs in your pelvis together.
The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, but women with endometriosis can also experience:
- Painful periods
- Heavy bleeding during your period or bleeding between periods
- Infertility
- Pain during sex
- Lower back pain
Endometriosis can be a painful and frustrating disorder.
Luckily, there are naturopathic solutions that can help manage your endometriosis symptoms.
A naturopathic doctor who focuses on women’s health, like Dr Kimberly Dawdy, can help you manage your symptoms naturally.
Book your appointment with Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, today.
RELATED: Infertility
Natural Treatment for Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are growths that develop in or on your uterus.
They’re incredibly common – one estimate suggests up to 80% of women will have them by age fifty, though most won’t have any symptoms.
In other cases, uterine fibroids can cause severe pain in your abdomen and give you heavy periods.
You have a higher risk of developing fibroids if you have been pregnant, have a family history of fibroids, are age 30 or older, or are overweight.
If you have uterine fibroids, you might experience symptoms such as:
- Heavy bleeding between or during your period
- Pain in your lower back or pelvis
- Increased cramping during your period
- Needing to urinate more often
- Pain during sex
- Periods that last longer than usual
- Pressure in your lower abdomen
- Swelling in your lower abdomen
If you do experience pain from uterine fibroids, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can help you manage your pain and symptoms.
Book your appointment with Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, today.
Other Uterine and Ovarian Health Disorders
If you experience other uterine and ovarian disorders, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, has natural solutions that may be able to help you manage your symptoms.
Other disorders that naturopathic medicine can help include:
- Uterine polyops
- Adenomyosis
- Vaginal bleeding
- Cervicitis
- Ovarian cysts
- And others
If you don’t see your condition listed here, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can still help. Naturopathic doctors are trained as general practitioners, and as such can provide treatment for most health conditions.
Book Your Appointment with Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, Today
If you’re dealing with a uterine or ovarian health disorder, or you suspect you may have one, naturopathic solutions can help.
Left untreated, hormonal imbalances in women can result in:
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Sleep disorders
- Kidney damage
- Depression and anxiety
- Endometrial or breast cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Infertility
- Sexual dysfunction
- And more
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Naturopathic medicine can help.