Women's Health

Women's Health is garnering more and more attention. Symptoms are starting to be addressed and solutions widely discussed in the medical field.

Consider the following:

· breast cancer

· ovarian cancer

· cervical cancer

· uterine cancer

· thyroid cancer

· OR any other female reproductive condition such as: PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, infertility, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), cervical dysplasia (precancerous cells found on cervix), etc.

· OR any thyroid condition such as: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Graves’), etc.

· OR any transitional phase such as: puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, etc.

Research has shown a variety of factors that may influence the items on the list above:

Here are a few:

· modifiable & non-modifiable risk factors (for example: things you can change such as your lifestyle and things you cannot change such as your family history, respectively)

· oral contraceptive pill use at any point in your lifetime

· hormone imbalance & hormone metabolism (key players being: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol << and their metabolites, insulin, thyroid hormones…and more!)

· screening guidelines for any of the above-listed cancer diagnoses

· INFLAMMATION – the “hallmark of disease”, which includes factors such as: oxidative stress & potential DNA damage

Prevention & management can never be completely 100% guaranteed, because as you know, there are so many uncontrollable factors that govern the above-listed conditions. Also, there is no known cure for cancer.

However....

· an integrated approach to health,

· education on screening guidelines & symptoms to look out for,

· laboratory testing,

· clinical nutrition,

· & emotional guidance/support...

…are all potential ways to improve our understanding regarding health. Conventional medical approaches might be helpful in treating/managing all of the above-listed conditions and naturopathic therapies may help support these treatment approaches.

Dr. Nadia Mawji, ND

Calgary Naturopathic Doctor

**Any information provided in these posts are intended for information purposes only and not to be considered naturopathic medical advice. See your naturopathic doctor for individualized support & guidance