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Women's Health

From puberty to menopause, women may experience many conditions that require a specialized approach and a sympathetic touch. To ensure a women’s health through out the reproductive period and beyond, careful monitoring and frequent screening is useful to lower risk and promote wellness. What makes our Women’s Health Program unique is the utilization of treatment modalities that are natural, holistic, gentle, and promote true healing. Special attention is given to achieving hormone balance by addressing such issues as estrogen dominance and the careful use of Bio-identical hormones. Our Women’s Health Practitioner, Mary Kay Bartlett, MSN, RN, CNS, has been providing Women’s Health Care at The Center for Complementary Medicine since 1996.

Conditions Treated

Conditions addressed include physical and emotional issues as they relate to Women’s Health:

Abnormal PAP smears Menopause
Abnormal (dysfunctional) uterine bleeding (DUB) Menstrual cramps
Acute conditions that effect your state of health Menstrual cycle changes or problems
Adrenal fatigue Mood issues
Bone loss Neurotransmitter imbalances
Breast pain – Fibrocystic breasts
Osteopenia
Cystitis Osteoporosis
Endometrial hyperplasia Ovarian cysts
Endometriosis Painful intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Fatigue Pelvic pain
Heavy menstrual bleeding Peri-menopause
Hypothyroid Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Infertility Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Insomnia Prolonged menstrual bleeding
Interstitial cystitis Urinary incontinence – loss of urine
Irregular menstrual cycles Uterine fibroids
Irritability Vaginal discharges – Vaginal infections
Lack of menstrual bleeding Vaginal dryness
Libido/Sex drive Vitamin D deficiency
Memory issues Weight problems

Estrogen dominance is a common underlying problem with many women’s health problems.

Wellness Screening and Risk Reduction

Your evaluation is tailored to your individual needs and may include:
  • Hormone levels/balance – Saliva test
  • Cancer screening
    • Breast: Breast exam, Breast thermogram (screening), Breast sonogram (Follow up for abnormal screening)
    • Cervix: Pelvic exam, PAP smear
    • Colorectal: Hemoccult – screen for blood in stool
  • Bone evaluation for bone loss
    • DEXA Bone Density Scan
    • Bone resorption (urine test)
  • Cardiovascular
    • Physical assessment – blood pressure, pulse, heart sounds, lung sounds
    • EKG
  • Blood testing
    • CBC (Complete blood count)
    • Thyroid function
    • Liver function
    • Kidney function
    • Vit D deficiency & monitoring replacement
    • Other specific tests for deficiencies
  • Saliva testing
    • Adrenal function – Cortisol, DHEA, 17-OH Progesterone
    • Hormones – DHEA, Testosterone, Progesterone, Estrone, Estradiol, Estriol
  • Urine testing
    • Dipstick - quick screen
    • Urinalysis
    • Urine Culture & Sensitivity
    • pH balance – acidity/alkalinity
    • Neurotransmitter levels/balance
    • Iodine deficiency
  • Other specific testing for deficiencies
  • Other specific testing as indicated for you
(Please see Biomedical Testing for more information on these & other available tests.)

Treatment Modalities

There are a wide variety of possible treatments available. Decisions will be made based on your individual needs and your personal choices and may include:

  • Bach flower remedies
  • Bio-Identical hormones
  • Herbs
  • Homeopathy
  • Hormone precursors (substances natural to the body that become hormones)
  • Nutritional supplements
    • Meeting basic requirements
    • Deficiencies – Replacement
    • Therapeutic use to meet additional needs with health challenges
  • Wellness/lifestyle counseling
    • Nutrition – healthy diet
    • Exercise
    • Sleep
    • Relaxation
  • Referral as appropriate for the individual

Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen dominance occurs when estrogen is out of balance with progesterone.
It can occur in a number of situations such as:
  • Too much estrogen
  • Estrogen replacement therapy without bio-identical progesterone
  • Overweight/Obesity
  • Liver disease or toxicity
  • Xenoestrogens (Environmental sources)
  • Diet low in fiber and nutrients
  • Diet high in fat
  • Lack of exercise
  • Too little progesterone
  • Taking synthetic progestins (Provera, Birth control pills, etc.)
  • No progesterone replacement after hysterectomy
  • Peri-menopause and menopause
  • Adrenal fatigue

Symptoms of estrogen dominance:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Breast tenderness and enlargement
  • Fat gain in abdomen, hips, and thighs
  • Inability to lose weight regardless of efforts
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Decreased libido
  • Water retention and bloating
  • Depression
  • Memory loss – Foggy thinking
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches

Conditions triggered or made worse by estrogen dominance:

  • Blood clots (stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolus, etc)
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Estrogen dependent breast cancer
  • Endometriosis
  • Fibrocystic breasts
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Osteoporosis
  • PMS
  • Polycystic ovaries
  • Infertility
  • Spontaneous abortion

Estrogen dominance increases the risk of:

  • Autoimmune disease
  • Gallbladder disease
  • High blood pressure

Diagnostic test for Estrogen Dominance:

  • Saliva hormone levels - progesterone and estrogens levels essential

Treatment for Estrogen Dominance:

  • Increase fiber & nutrients in your diet
  • Decrease saturated fat in your diet
  • Increase healthy fats in diet such as Omega 3’s
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Increase exercise
  • Specific herbs
  • Bio-Identical Progesterone monitored by saliva hormone testing
  • Homeopathy

Our Women's Health Practitioner

Mary Kay Bartlett