ALL SERVICES
At Sound Integrative Women’s Health, we focus on a variety of conditions that commonly affect women of all ages. Below you will find descriptions of these conditions and the general approach to treatment. This list is not comprehensive, so please do not hesitate to inquire about any additional women’s health issues by submitting a message through the CONTACT US page. During the initial consultation, we will spend time exploring your specific concerns and gather information about your current way of living, including diet, physical activity and sources of stress. This information, along with indicated lab testing, will be used to create your personalized treatment plan that will be available to you in the patient portal. Please review all conditions below, or use the drop-down menu under SERVICES at the top of this page to select a specific condition of interest. Below is a list of all services found on this page:
PMS
PCOS
Menopause
Pre-Pregnancy Care
Support During & After Pregnancy
Burnout & Chronic Fatigue
Hypothyroidism
Metabolic Syndrome & Prediabetes
Weight Loss
Nutritional Deficiencies
Digestive Health
Arthritis & Fibromyalgia
Skin Conditions
Mood Disorders
premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual Syndrome is a common condition that affects many menstruating women during the last half of the menstrual cycle. It is thought to be related to hormonal imbalances that can occur during this time, but is also related to diet, deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, and increased stress. The symptoms can be debilitating, including severe cramping, bloating and irritability that can progress to the more severe form, PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) with severe depression and reduced ability to function. Traditional approaches, including birth control pills and antidepressant medications often are not effective and may cause side effects. We will look deeply into lifestyle factors and make adjustments in diet, add botanical, vitamin and mineral supplements, such as calcium and magnesium with proven benefits. Mind-body techniques including biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy, and regular physical activity have been shown to help self-regulation and decrease symptoms of PMS. Additionally, yoga and acupuncture may be of benefit. Conventional therapies will be considered when appropriate.
polycystic ovarian syndrome
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder, affecting up to 10% of reproductive age women. A combination of genetic factors, lifestyle choices and increases in weight cause an imbalance in hormones associated with infrequent ovulation, infrequent periods (that can be very heavy), acne, abnormal facial hair, infertility, and multiple ovarian cysts, giving PCOS its name. Women with PCOS also have an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, making it an important disorder to recognize and treat. Each woman experiences PCOS differently, so your specific concerns will be addressed with attention to dietary change and timed eating, physical activity and weight management. Vitamin, mineral and botanical supplements can be helpful to decrease inflammation and insulin resistance in patients with PCOS. Many environmental toxins have hormonal effects in the body that may exacerbate symptoms, so a review of toxic exposures is important. Acupuncture may help through its effect on the nervous and endocrine systems and mind-body therapies address associated stress, depression and anxiety. Additional therapy including hormones and conventional medications will be used as needed.
menopause
No woman can avoid menopause. The drastic change in hormones that occurs with the decline of ovarian function throws the body out of balance, resulting in symptoms that can affect nearly every part of the body. Common complaints include hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood
swings or depressed mood, weight gain, skin changes, vaginal dryness, brain fog and poor memory. Menopause also increases the risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, depression and bladder infections. Not all women experience all of these issues, but each woman’s experience with menopause is unique and will guide planned therapy. Often symptoms improve significantly with proven complementary approaches, including acupuncture, yoga, botanicals, mind-body techniques (such as relaxation, hypnosis, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy), nutritional supplementation, dietary changes, and regular physical activity. If hormone therapy is needed, bioidentical hormones will be used in the safest manner with careful dosing guided by lab testing as warranted.
pre-pregnancy care
The time leading up to pregnancy is an excellent opportunity to make positive changes that will prepare the body for an optimal pregnancy and beyond. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating how diet and lifestyle can affect the unborn child and also, our fertility. This is an excellent time to assess toxic environmental exposures and make changes to minimize risk. We can optimize fertility with diet modifications that address food sensitivities, improve nutrition and decrease inflammation. Male Fertility will improve with antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables and with a diet low in saturated fats with added healthy fats. Vitamins and mineral supplementation and additional DHA is vital. Management of the stress associated with trying to have a baby using mind-body techniques has been shown to improve ovulation, and acupuncture can be helpful in cases of infertility. Careful attention to these areas of body, mind and spirit in the 3 to 4 months prior to conception can have a profoundly positive impact on the outcome of your pregnancy.
support during & after pregnancy
While not acting as your primary OB, we can certainly provide needed personalized support during and after your pregnancy. The significant changes in the mind and body during this time can interrupt sleep, increase nutritional demands and cause a variety of symptoms including nausea and vomiting, poor weight gain, pain, and changes in mood with an increased risk for mood disorders. Postpartum, many women can experience significant fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, anemia, hair loss and of course, depression. These issues will be addressed in an integrative way by optimizing nutrition (which also provides needed fats for fetal brain development), and monitoring vitamins and mineral supplements vital to a healthy pregnancy. Many botanical supplements can be used safely for conditions like nausea and heartburn, and postpartum for non-acute bleeding, pain, depression and to support healing following cesarean section. Also, making changes to reduce exposure to pesticides and other environmental toxins that adversely affect unborn babies, infants and toddlers is critically important. Our support, in addition to routine obstetric care will help optimize your health and promote the best outcome for you and your baby.
burnout & chronic fatigue syndrome
These conditions are thought to result from chronic physical or emotional stress that affects our ability to keep up the body’s stress response and meet the demands of daily life.This results in chronic dysfunction of the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal axis (H-P-A) and abnormal secretion of cortisol, the body's stress hormone. Symptoms include significant fatigue, cravings and poor food choices, weight gain, poor sleep and brain fog. These effects can be addressed with lifestyle changes, nutritional therapies, regular exercise and stress management strategies that target underlying, chronic stress and H-P-A dysfunction. Many botanical supplements have been proven effective in counteracting the biological changes associated with severe stress and burnout. Data also supports the use of acupuncture and Qigong, especially for chronic fatigue syndrome. These interventions can greatly improve H-P-A function, however consultation with an endocrinologist and use of conventional medications will be pursued if additional support is needed or true adrenal insufficiency is suspected.
hypothyroidism
This is a common disorder in women, affecting five to eight times more women than men. A significant percentage of the US population has lab evidence of thyroid disease, making screening important. Symptoms often include fatigue, constipation, weight gain, cold intolerance, hair loss, dry skin, heavy periods and depression. While genetic factors may increase risk, many environmental factors such as food sensitivities and environmental toxins can disrupt the function of the thyroid gland.The diagnosis is confirmed with lab work and the treatment involves removing dietary triggers, replacing thyroid hormone with medication and providing nutrients needed for thyroid hormone production with diet and supplements. Also, reducing stress, eliminating toxic exposures and being physically active are key to successful treatment.
metabolic syndrome & prediabetes
This condition affects more than 35% of women. Risk generally increases with age, though it is becoming more common in younger women. It is caused by abnormal insulin function and fat metabolism resulting in “lipotoxicity” and damage to our cells. The most common risk factor is obesity, especially “central” obesity, but can be associated with exposure to toxins, poor diet, and substance abuse. Metabolic syndrome has a wide ranging effect on the body, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, diabetes, and others. The diagnosis is based on criteria including elevated blood pressure, body type, elevated cholesterol and blood glucose levels. The good news is that this condition is highly responsive to changes in lifestyle. Regular physical activity and a diet low in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats are very effective, as they bring about a decrease in body fat. Supplements including vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and botanicals can also be helpful. Mind-body therapies to reduce stress and improve insulin function are key, and often, medications that improve insulin function and reduce glucose levels are also necessary.
weight loss
Our body weight is determined by multiple factors including our genetics, environmental exposures, our stress level and general lifestyle. It is much more complicated than simply what we eat and how much we exercise. Successful weight loss requires a careful review of all of these factors as part of each woman’s medical history, including her medications, exposures, lifestyle factors and previous weight loss attempts. Lab testing will screen for other conditions that may be contributing to weight gain. Following this comprehensive assessment, we will develop a realistic, attainable weight loss plan that supports your goals and lifestyle, including:
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Dietary Modification and timed eating
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Correction of nutrient deficiencies
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Supplements
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Consideration of probiotics to address imbalances in the microbiome
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Mindfulness techniques that help target emotional eating patterns
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Appropriate physical activity that fits your lifestyle
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Medication as needed
Other practitioners may be utilized, including nutritionists and exercise coaches. This integrative approach will support medically safe, attainable results that will decrease your risk for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and improve your overall health and wellness.
general health & nutritional screening
This screening offers the chance to identify areas of suboptimal health before symptoms begin. Often, an unhealthy diet, poor sleep, increased stress and weight gain cause inflammation and nutritional deficiencies that lead to chronic disease. With laboratory testing, we can look for markers indicating vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as imbalances in hormones, and the immune, cardiac, and GI systems. This allows for a targeted approach to reset the body using diet, nutritional supplements, bioidentical hormones, stress reduction, sleep management and physical activity. This screening is a valuable tool for the prevention of chronic disease and gives you an opportunity to directly address any specific risks to your health.
digestive health
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is twice as common in women than men. symptoms involve intermittent episodes of abdominal pain, bloating with diarrhea and constipation caused by dysfunction in the muscle lining the intestine. Multiple factors contribute to IBS including genetics/family history, intestinal “leakiness”, inflammation, imbalance of bacteria present in the intestines, psychological stress and diet. A related condition, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) occurs when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine that causes bloating and abdominal pain. This interferes with the function of the small intestine and impairs the absorption of nutrients from food. It also damages the intestinal lining, predisposing to “leaky gut”, where toxins can pass easily to the bloodstream, causing food allergies, inflammation and autoimmune disease. Thanks to recent research in these areas, treatments are becoming more effective. We will perform a careful evaluation to exclude serious GI disease and utilize lab testing to look for possible causes, such as prior infections, food sensitivities and celiac disease. Treatment includes dietary modifications and removing food triggers, increasing fiber and using probiotics to restore bacterial balance in the intestine. All of this will decrease bowel inflammation and restore immune function. We will also consider botanical supplements for their calming and healing effect on the GI tract, mind-body therapy to decrease stress and its effect on the intestines, acupuncture, and conventional medication when necessary.
supportive care for arthritis & fibromyalgia
Rheumatologic diseases are very common in our country, especially in women. Disease can cause debilitating pain, physical dysfunction, sleep disorders, fatigue and depression. Exacerbations of these symptoms are related to lifestyle and diet choices, so attention to these areas can significantly improve the way you feel. Along with your rheumatologist, We can help address the underlying factors of disease in an integrative way, using proven therapies that may decrease your need for conventional medications. Evidence-based changes in diet, dietary and botanical supplements, specific exercise, movement such as Tai Chi and Qigong, acupuncture and mindfulness, can significantly improve symptoms and your quality of life.
skin conditions
Acne and Rosacea are very common conditions of the skin that affect women of all ages. These are inflammatory conditions that are often affected by stress and other factors such as diet and environmental triggers. Treatment involves more than just skin care products and antibiotics. Integrative approaches to treatment include emphasizing a good skin care regime utilizing non-toxic products, identifying and avoiding known triggers (cold, wind or sun in the case of rosacea), reducing stress and eliminating dairy and sugary foods. Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and many botanicals with antioxidant or anti-inflammatory qualities have been proven effective. These interventions can significantly reduce the need for conventional topical treatments, but these will be used as needed.
mood disorders
Anxiety and Depression are among the most common disorders in our country affecting millions of Americans of all ages. Twice as many women are affected as men. Our mental health has a profound effect on our physical health as it impacts our lifestyle choices, leading to poor eating habits, less exercise and poor quality of sleep. This causes an increase in the body’s inflammatory response affecting the brain and likely plays a role in the development of mood disorders. Mood disorders themselves also increase the body’s inflammatory response which has far reaching negative effects on the immune system, cardiovascular health, and even gene expression. As part of your evaluation, we will screen for causes of inflammation, and other risk factors including cetain medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, menopausal or postpartum hormonal imbalances and medication side effects. We will recommend lifestyle changes that can be very powerful, including regular physical activity, restorative sleep, and better nutrition. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common and will be corrected, and evidence-based, effective botanical supplements utilized as needed. Mind-body therapies such as mindfulness, yoga and biofeedback also have strong evidence, and acupuncture can be very effective. This empowering, integrative approach allows greater self-awareness and the capacity to regulate emotions in response to stress, while decreasing long-term dependence on conventional medications.
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