Fertility
What is Kate Whimster reading?
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
This post is inspired by the website What is Stephen Harper Reading?, created by author Yann Martel to document his quest to influence Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s reading. It’s quite a fascinating website both for the 101 book recommendations (all accompanied by a letter to Stephen Harper as to why each book was chosen) and for the thought and debate provoked by the question itself.
Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve written a long blog and I assure you that some are in the works (hopefully to be completed during the traditionally less hectic summer months). In the mean time, I thought I would share 5 examples of what I’ve been reading lately and my thoughts on each. Even more book recommendations can be found under Resources, Reading List to your left. I continue to strive to add to that list but I am only one woman reading on the streetcar...
1. Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Tori Hudson, ND
Considered one of the foremost authorities on women’s health, Tori Hudson’s book is incredibly useful in naturopathic practice for treating every major women’s health issue, including PMS/period issues, cervical dysplasia, menopause, breast issues, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), infertility, pregnancy, and many more. I’ve been consulting this book regularly over the years but only just bought my own and I know I will use it for many years to come.
2. The Mindbody Prescription by John Sarno, MD
This book was recommended to me by my boyfriend (not a naturopathic doctor) as a suggestion to start looking at pain in a different way. It took me a long time to finish it, as Dr. Sarno gives you a lot to ponder (so I had to keep putting the book down and thinking!), but I’m glad I read it as it has already been an enormous help to several of my patients. If you have pain of any sort, I encourage you to read this book and to follow the treatment guidelines found at the end to start reframing your issue and healing your body by addressing your mind and its connection to your symptoms.
3. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
I’ve only just started this one but I can already tell I’m going to love this book and my thinking is already altered by this information! So far, not much about health in here, but it has been eye-opening with regards to how people become successful. The part that has struck me the most is the importance of income level (and thus parenting style and how that influences one’s perceived locus of control) on a child’s future. This is why we should all care about the health, wellbeing, and education of others around us because it does affect us and the society we live in.
4. The Dip by Seth Godin
This short, simple little book is great for getting you thinking about when to forge ahead and when it is smartest to quit. Yes, it is sometimes best to quit and this book will help you figure out when that is and where you should be putting your valuable time and energy! This book is helpful for both small business owners (ie: me) and employees and can also be applied in non-work situations. A quick, fun read with lots of interesting examples.
5. Chi Running by Danny Dreyer
I’ve actually been reading this book since 2009! It’s pretty worn now and I don’t think I ever actually finished it. However, over these years I’ve read every word at least once, probably twice! This book is all about how to make running fun and injury free and I think it is a must-read for anyone who runs. As you may remember from my post Got pain?, I have a long and storied experience with running and pain. This book has completely changed how I run with just a few simple techniques (that require lots of practice)!
This post is inspired by the website What is Stephen Harper Reading?, created by author Yann Martel to document his quest to influence Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s reading. It’s quite a fascinating website both for the 101 book recommendations (all accompanied by a letter to Stephen Harper as to why each book was chosen) and for the thought and debate provoked by the question itself.
Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve written a long blog and I assure you that some are in the works (hopefully to be completed during the traditionally less hectic summer months). In the mean time, I thought I would share 5 examples of what I’ve been reading lately and my thoughts on each. Even more book recommendations can be found under Resources, Reading List to your left. I continue to strive to add to that list but I am only one woman reading on the streetcar...
1. Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Tori Hudson, ND
Considered one of the foremost authorities on women’s health, Tori Hudson’s book is incredibly useful in naturopathic practice for treating every major women’s health issue, including PMS/period issues, cervical dysplasia, menopause, breast issues, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), infertility, pregnancy, and many more. I’ve been consulting this book regularly over the years but only just bought my own and I know I will use it for many years to come.
2. The Mindbody Prescription by John Sarno, MD
This book was recommended to me by my boyfriend (not a naturopathic doctor) as a suggestion to start looking at pain in a different way. It took me a long time to finish it, as Dr. Sarno gives you a lot to ponder (so I had to keep putting the book down and thinking!), but I’m glad I read it as it has already been an enormous help to several of my patients. If you have pain of any sort, I encourage you to read this book and to follow the treatment guidelines found at the end to start reframing your issue and healing your body by addressing your mind and its connection to your symptoms.
3. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
I’ve only just started this one but I can already tell I’m going to love this book and my thinking is already altered by this information! So far, not much about health in here, but it has been eye-opening with regards to how people become successful. The part that has struck me the most is the importance of income level (and thus parenting style and how that influences one’s perceived locus of control) on a child’s future. This is why we should all care about the health, wellbeing, and education of others around us because it does affect us and the society we live in.
4. The Dip by Seth Godin
This short, simple little book is great for getting you thinking about when to forge ahead and when it is smartest to quit. Yes, it is sometimes best to quit and this book will help you figure out when that is and where you should be putting your valuable time and energy! This book is helpful for both small business owners (ie: me) and employees and can also be applied in non-work situations. A quick, fun read with lots of interesting examples.
5. Chi Running by Danny Dreyer
I’ve actually been reading this book since 2009! It’s pretty worn now and I don’t think I ever actually finished it. However, over these years I’ve read every word at least once, probably twice! This book is all about how to make running fun and injury free and I think it is a must-read for anyone who runs. As you may remember from my post Got pain?, I have a long and storied experience with running and pain. This book has completely changed how I run with just a few simple techniques (that require lots of practice)!
Comments
To pill or not to pill?
24/Jun/11 08:09 PM Filed in: Women
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
The birth control pill that is... Although this phrase could start a blog about any number of “pills” you might be prescribed! I just read this great blog called “Birth Control Pill Misconceptions” by Shawna Darou, ND that highlights the importance of addressing the root cause behind some of the reasons women use birth control pills.
In my practice I see a lot of women on the pill and many women who want to conceive after using the pill. I agree whole-heartedly with Shawna that the pill is not a great solution to the hormonal issues many women face (PMS, cramps, ovarian cysts, acne, etc). It is a tool for imposing an artificial cycle on top of your natural cycle, obscuring your true state of health. I think this is a disservice to women, especially those young girls who may never have established a normal menstrual cycle until one day they decide the want to get pregnant.
Most women that come to me for fertility and prenatal support expect to have a healthy period nearly immediately after stopping the pill and do not expect to spend months (or even years!) re-establishing a healthy hormonal balance before conceiving! Many of these women have been on the pill for so many years they don’t even remember what their own period is like anymore! When Shawna says she looks at “the menstrual cycle as a vital sign, as important as blood pressure and heart rate in assessing a woman’s health” she is right on target. Not only is a healthy hormonal balance essential for getting pregnant but it is also important to sustaining a healthy pregnancy and creating a healthy baby! In fact, the mother’s health before conceiving deserves a lot more investment and attention than it seems to get these days, but that is a subject for another blog...
So if you are one of those millions of women wondering “to pill or not to pill,” what should you do? Here are some alternatives to consider - knowledge is power.
Alternatives for hormonal regulation:
Nutrition:
Shelly Reitkop, ND recently wrote a great blog called “Understanding and Overcoming PMS” with some great info on how nutrient intake correlates with PMS symptoms. This is just the tip of the iceberg! Your naturopathic doctor can help you make simple dietary changes to regulate hormones.
Herbs:
There are a wide variety of safe and effective “female herbs.” Herbal prescriptions are individual, so see your naturopathic doctor to find out what herbs can best address your unique symptoms.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a great treatment for a wide variety of female hormonal concerns! I’ve used acupuncture to successfully regulate menstrual cycles, ease period pain and PMS, and for prenatal and postnatal care. Acupuncture is perhaps best known for fertility treatment alone or combined with conventional fertility treatments.
Homeopathy:
Homeopathy is a truly personalized system of treatment that can address many concerns, especially issues surrounding the menstrual cycle and each woman’s unique symptoms. I have lots of info about homeopathy on my site. Learn the basics here and here.
Alternatives for contraception:
Natural:
The natural family planning method that I know most about and is highly effective is the Justisse Method for Fertility Management. There is a wealth of information on their website and you can order a guide from them to learn how to track your menstrual cycle to determine your fertility (and avoid getting pregnant!). I also sell their guide in my Beaches clinic.
For those who are less into charting and more into convenience, there is LadyComp, but apparently this is no longer available in Canada! It seems to have been replaced by Ovacue.
Condoms:
The condom is truly a wonderful invention for both men and women! Condoms are one of the most effective means of birth control (if used correctly) and they are cost-effective, convenient, and safe.
Diaphragm:
Finally, the good old diaphragm. When I asked my doctor for a referral to a gynecologist to get a diaphragm, he told me I was the only women to go from pill to diaphragm in his whole practice! But really, the diaphragm is easy to use, very effective, and affordable. The biggest downside is that the spermicidal gel for use with the diaphragm is no longer available in Canada (but it still available from the US!). However, there is some evidence that use of spermicide does not significantly change the effectiveness of the diaphragm.
The birth control pill that is... Although this phrase could start a blog about any number of “pills” you might be prescribed! I just read this great blog called “Birth Control Pill Misconceptions” by Shawna Darou, ND that highlights the importance of addressing the root cause behind some of the reasons women use birth control pills.
In my practice I see a lot of women on the pill and many women who want to conceive after using the pill. I agree whole-heartedly with Shawna that the pill is not a great solution to the hormonal issues many women face (PMS, cramps, ovarian cysts, acne, etc). It is a tool for imposing an artificial cycle on top of your natural cycle, obscuring your true state of health. I think this is a disservice to women, especially those young girls who may never have established a normal menstrual cycle until one day they decide the want to get pregnant.
Most women that come to me for fertility and prenatal support expect to have a healthy period nearly immediately after stopping the pill and do not expect to spend months (or even years!) re-establishing a healthy hormonal balance before conceiving! Many of these women have been on the pill for so many years they don’t even remember what their own period is like anymore! When Shawna says she looks at “the menstrual cycle as a vital sign, as important as blood pressure and heart rate in assessing a woman’s health” she is right on target. Not only is a healthy hormonal balance essential for getting pregnant but it is also important to sustaining a healthy pregnancy and creating a healthy baby! In fact, the mother’s health before conceiving deserves a lot more investment and attention than it seems to get these days, but that is a subject for another blog...
So if you are one of those millions of women wondering “to pill or not to pill,” what should you do? Here are some alternatives to consider - knowledge is power.
Alternatives for hormonal regulation:
Nutrition:
Shelly Reitkop, ND recently wrote a great blog called “Understanding and Overcoming PMS” with some great info on how nutrient intake correlates with PMS symptoms. This is just the tip of the iceberg! Your naturopathic doctor can help you make simple dietary changes to regulate hormones.
Herbs:
There are a wide variety of safe and effective “female herbs.” Herbal prescriptions are individual, so see your naturopathic doctor to find out what herbs can best address your unique symptoms.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a great treatment for a wide variety of female hormonal concerns! I’ve used acupuncture to successfully regulate menstrual cycles, ease period pain and PMS, and for prenatal and postnatal care. Acupuncture is perhaps best known for fertility treatment alone or combined with conventional fertility treatments.
Homeopathy:
Homeopathy is a truly personalized system of treatment that can address many concerns, especially issues surrounding the menstrual cycle and each woman’s unique symptoms. I have lots of info about homeopathy on my site. Learn the basics here and here.
Alternatives for contraception:
Natural:
The natural family planning method that I know most about and is highly effective is the Justisse Method for Fertility Management. There is a wealth of information on their website and you can order a guide from them to learn how to track your menstrual cycle to determine your fertility (and avoid getting pregnant!). I also sell their guide in my Beaches clinic.
For those who are less into charting and more into convenience, there is LadyComp, but apparently this is no longer available in Canada! It seems to have been replaced by Ovacue.
Condoms:
The condom is truly a wonderful invention for both men and women! Condoms are one of the most effective means of birth control (if used correctly) and they are cost-effective, convenient, and safe.
Diaphragm:
Finally, the good old diaphragm. When I asked my doctor for a referral to a gynecologist to get a diaphragm, he told me I was the only women to go from pill to diaphragm in his whole practice! But really, the diaphragm is easy to use, very effective, and affordable. The biggest downside is that the spermicidal gel for use with the diaphragm is no longer available in Canada (but it still available from the US!). However, there is some evidence that use of spermicide does not significantly change the effectiveness of the diaphragm.
