Hormones don’t exactly balance themselves. However, an overproduction or underproduction of certain hormones can disrupt your body’s normal functioning. This can result in distressing symptoms, such as irregular periods, heavy periods, hair loss, dry skin, acne, unexplained weight gain, inability to lose weight despite adequate lifestyle changes, chronic fatigue, decreased libido, sleep disturbance, low energy levels, mood swings, and hot flashes. Certain medical conditions (such as PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal gland disorders), lifestyle factors, stress, and medications can disrupt your hormones.

At Global Women’s Care, we get to the root of your hormonal disorder by taking the time to truly listen to your symptoms, assessing your health history and lifestyle, and gathering adequate hormonal testing. We always prioritize listening to our patients over blood tests that are based on “normal” instead of optimal values. If you have struggled to receive help for your symptoms due to your lab tests being “normal,” please note that we will never dismiss your symptoms! Our approach includes working on realistic lifestyle changes, professional grade supplements that are backed by research, and medications if indicated.

Uterine fibroids are benign growths of the uterus. Benign means that the growths are not cancerous, and it’s very unlikely that a fibroid will turn into cancer. They can also be called myomas or leiomyomas. Fibroids can occur inside the uterus, but they can also be found on the outer surface of the uterus, within its wall, or attached to it. They also greatly vary in size and shape, and have the potential to grow either rapidly or slowly over time. Some women may only have one fibroid, while others have many fibroids of different sizes.

Symptoms can include heavy and/or prolonged menstrual periods, pelvic pain, spotting in between periods, pain during intercourse, frequent or difficulty urinating, constipation, enlarged abdomen, recurrent miscarriages, and infertility. At Global Women’s Care, our goal is to help you avoid surgery by successfully managing your symptoms and slowing fibroid growth/shrinking fibroids through less invasive means. This may include realistic lifestyle changes, professional grade supplements backed by research, and medications if indicated.

Suspect you may have fibroids but have never been formally diagnosed? We will start with a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm!

A normal cycle length can range from every 21 to 35 days with a cycle duration of 3 to 7 days. Anything outside of this range is considered irregular and indicates an underlying hormonal issue that should never be ignored. Many women are unaware of the dangers of going extended periods of time without a period. Every month, your endometrium (lining of uterus) continues to build up in preparation for pregnancy. When your period does not occur for months at a time, it means that your endometrium is continuing to thicken for this period of time. If left untreated, you can develop endometrial hyperplasia (abnormally thickening of the endometrium), which is a risk factor for endometrial cancer.

Additionally, the hormonal disorder that is causing your irregular bleeding will only continue to become worse if left untreated, manifesting in other symptoms, such as infertility, hair loss, hormonal acne, dry skin, low energy, chronic fatigue, unexplained weight gain, and mood changes. For women on the other end of the spectrum who are having periods more frequently, such as every 2 weeks, this could indicate a structural issue such as a fibroid as well as a hormonal disorder.

At Global Women’s Care, we will gather a detailed health history, assess your lifestyle, and order appropriate bloodwork and imaging to get to the root cause of your abnormal bleeding. Once identified, we will develop an individualized plan of care that focuses on realistic lifestyle changes, professional grade supplements backed by research, and medications if indicated.

Perimenopause refers to the transitional phase before menopause, during which a woman’s body undergoes various hormonal and reproductive changes. It is a natural process that typically occurs in women in their 40s but can start as early as the mid-30s. Perimenopause is characterized by fluctuating hormone levels and can last for several years before menopause is reached. This hormonal fluctuation can result in a range of physical and emotional symptoms, which may include:

Irregular menstrual cycles: Menstrual periods may become shorter or longer, and the time between periods may become irregular. Some women may experience heavier or lighter periods during this phase.

Hot flashes and night sweats: Sudden and intense feelings of heat, often accompanied by sweating, can occur, especially at night.

Sleep disturbances: Women may experience difficulties with sleep, including insomnia or waking up frequently during the night.

Mood changes: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression can occur during perimenopause due to hormonal changes.

Vaginal and urinary changes: Decreased estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness, itching, or discomfort during sexual intercourse. Women may also experience urinary symptoms such as increased frequency or urgency, incontinence, and night voiding.

Changes in libido: Some women may notice a decrease in sexual desire during perimenopause.

Menopause is defined as the cessation of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. Menopause typically occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can happen earlier or later. The same symptoms mentioned above can continue and even worsen after menopause. Additional symptoms include joint pain, brain fog, chronic fatigue, unexplained weight gain, dry skin, and hair loss.

Although menopause is a natural process, it can be associated with long-term health risks, such as an increase in cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol levels, and osteoporosis. At Global Women’s Care, we manage the symptoms of perimenopause/menopause as well as provide preventative care through realistic lifestyle changes, professional grade supplements backed by research, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Vaginitis refers to inflammation or infection of the vagina, resulting in various uncomfortable symptoms. It is a common condition that can be caused by different factors, including infections, hormonal changes, allergies, or irritants. The most common types of vaginitis include:

Bacterial vaginosis (BV): BV is caused by an imbalance of the bacteria normally present in the vagina. Symptoms may include a thin, grayish-white vaginal discharge with a fishy odor.

Yeast infection: Also known as vulvovaginal candidiasis, yeast infections occur when there is an overgrowth of the fungus Candida, particularly Candida albicans, in the vagina. Symptoms can include a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, itching, redness, and swelling of the vulva.

Trichomoniasis: Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms may include a yellowish-green, frothy vaginal discharge with a foul odor, itching, burning, and discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse.

Less common types of vaginitis include atrophic vaginitis (caused by hormonal changes during menopause), allergic vaginitis (due to an allergic reaction to irritants such as soaps, detergents, or latex), and non-infectious forms of vaginitis.

At Global Women’s Care, we listen to your symptoms and order cultures to provide an accurate diagnosis. Treatment depends on the specific cause of vaginitis and may include antifungal medications, antibiotics, or other prescribed medications. In addition to medication, we educate on preventative lifestyle changes and recommend professional grade supplements that are backed by research.

Urinary issues refer to a range of problems that can affect the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. These issues can cause discomfort, pain, and changes in urinary function. Some common urinary issues that we treat include:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs): UTIs occur when bacteria enters the urinary system and multiply, leading to an infection. Symptoms may include frequent urination, a strong urge to urinate, burning or pain during urination, cloudy or bloody urine, and lower abdominal pain.

Urinary incontinence: This condition involves involuntary leakage of urine, ranging from occasional small leaks to complete loss of bladder control. It can be caused by various factors, including weakened pelvic floor muscles, nerve damage, certain medications, or menopause.

At Global Women’s Care, we will gather a detailed history, listen to your symptoms, and order cultures as indicated to properly diagnose and treat your urinary issue. Your individualized plan of care may include realistic lifestyle changes, professional grade supplements backed by research, and medications such as antibiotics or vaginal estrogen to strengthen the pelvic floor.

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland are critical for controlling your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. Other bodily functions affected by the thyroid include heart rate, breathing, digestion, body temperature, brain development, mental activity, fertility, and skin and bone maintenance. The thyroid gland produces two main hormones:

T4 – This is the main hormone that the thyroid makes and releases. However, this hormone doesn’t have much effect on your metabolism and must be converted to T3 once it is released into the bloodstream.

T3 – Although the thyroid produces less T3 as compared to T4, T3 is the hormone that has a greater effect on your metabolism. This is why conversion from T4 to T3 is so critical. T3 works by attaching to receptors on cells.  It can’t work without having receptors that are functional.  T4 will not attach to these receptors.

Thyroid optimization refers to the process of optimizing the function of the thyroid gland. As people age, they can develop issues converting T4 to T3 or with the T3 receptors. Standard blood testing will not show whether someone has an issue with their T3 receptors.

However, symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, unexplained weight gain (or inability to lose weight despite adequate lifestyle changes), low energy, and depressed mood will be present if adequate T3 is not able to get into your cells to help them work properly.

It’s important to understand that NORMAL lab values do not indicate that your thyroid hormone is functioning OPTIMALLY. Someone can have underactive thyroid hormone action (clinical hypothyroidism) while still having thyroid labs within normal range (biochemical euthyroidism).

The thyroid gland may be totally normal, producing normal levels of T4, but your body may not be converting T4 to T3, or your T3 receptors may be “resistant” and not bringing the T3 into your cells.

At Global Women’s Care, we prioritize listening to our patients over blood tests that are based on “normal” instead of optimal values. If you have struggled to receive help for your symptoms due to your lab tests being “normal,” please note that we will never dismiss your symptoms! Our approach includes working on realistic lifestyle changes, professional grade supplements that are backed by research, and medications if indicated.

Did you know that the average prenatal care visit lasts for 5 minutes? This is truly inadequate to provide thorough prenatal education and to discuss your concerns as you navigate each trimester of your pregnancy. At Global Women’s Care, you can supplement your prenatal care by working with a Certified Nurse Midwife who is trained in holistic management of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

With 60 minute appointments, you will be guided on safe remedies for common pregnancy discomforts, such as morning sickness, round ligament pain, back pain, sleep disturbance, and constipation. Additionally, you will receive education on labor/childbirth, pain management options, how to create a birth plan, remedies for postpartum healing, and lactation.

The “fourth trimester” is a term commonly used to describe the period immediately after childbirth, typically spanning the first three months or so. For mothers, the fourth trimester is a period of recovery and adjustment. They may experience physical changes, such as postpartum bleeding, healing from childbirth, breast engorgement, and hormonal fluctuations. Emotionally, mothers may undergo a range of feelings, including joy, exhaustion, anxiety, and mood swings as they adapt to their new role and the demands of caring for a newborn.

New moms deserve more than just one postpartum visit 6 weeks after birth. At Global Women’s Care, we are available as early and as often as you require. Services include holistic remedies for vaginal healing/C-section healing, virtual lactation support, medications for mastitis, treatment for clogged milk ducts, and screening plus treatment for postpartum depression/anxiety.

Breastfeeding comes easily to some moms and babies, but many require personalized help. At Global Women’s Care, we provide virtual lactation support through video consultations with a Certified Nurse Midwife. The provider can observe breastfeeding positions, latch, and provide guidance on proper techniques. In order to assess the parent and baby’s breastfeeding challenges and provide tailored advice and solutions, we will ask questions about feeding patterns, milk supply, latch issues, or any concerns the parent may have.

The consultation includes recommendations for improving latch, increasing milk supply, managing engorgement, and/or dealing with nipple soreness. The provider can also diagnose and treat mastitis with prescribed medications, as well as provide tips for prevention.

Contraception, also known as birth control, refers to the methods or techniques used to prevent pregnancy. There are various contraceptive methods available that work in different ways to prevent conception or the fertilization of an egg by sperm.

Here are some common types of contraception:

Barrier methods: These methods physically block sperm from reaching the egg. Examples include male and female condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps.

Hormonal methods: These methods use synthetic hormones (such as estrogen and/or progestin) to prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, and thin the lining of the uterus. Hormonal contraceptives include birth control pills, patches, injections, vaginal rings, implants, and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Intrauterine devices (IUDs): IUDs are small T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus. They can be hormonal or non-hormonal and work by preventing fertilization or implantation of a fertilized egg.

Emergency contraception: Also known as the “morning-after pill,” emergency contraception can be used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure to prevent pregnancy. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible after intercourse.

Permanent methods: These methods provide permanent contraception and are considered irreversible. Examples include tubal ligation (female sterilization) and vasectomy (male sterilization).

Fertility awareness-based methods: These methods involve tracking menstrual cycles, monitoring basal body temperature, and observing changes in cervical mucus to identify fertile and infertile days. They require a high level of awareness and consistency to be effective.

At Global Women’s Care, we provide counseling on the safest and most effective forms of birth control according to your individual lifestyle and health history. We can initiate/refill birth control pills, rings, patches, and injections and provide guidance on using the fertility awareness method.