Menopause may be far off, but there are solutions to your symptoms now!

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You’re not in menopause yet, you still get your period every month, but certain things are changing. You have weight gain in areas you never used to, you have episodes of insomnia, your so-called “PMS” is happening unpredictably and is sometimes more intense, libido is not what it once was. What’s happening? You’re in Perimenopause.

Perimenopause can start 10 years before true menopause hits. Some women start to experience hormones changes as early as 35 years old. During this pre- menopause time, periods are still occurring and pregnancy is possible, however, hormone production fluctuates and can be normal one month and sub par the next.

Changes in Estrogen and Progesterone production can cause symptoms like anxiety, sleep disruption, irritability, occasional hot flashes, libido changes and period changes. These changes start slowly and sort of creep up when suddenly the realization hits-

“I don’t feel like myself! What’s going on? I’m too young for menopause!”

Well first off, don’t worry! There is a solution. The silver lining is that these years provide an opportunity to focus on optimizing health to maintaining youthful vibrancy now and until the last period has come and gone. Perimenopause can last a long time, up to 10 years. During this time, women have a chance to influence the quality of their health for the rest of their lives.

• Insomnia, Mood Changes and Headaches- These are some of the uncomfortable symptoms of hormone imbalance. By optimizing hormone production in the body, these symptoms can simply slip away.
• Bone health- during the transition to menopause, women can lose a significant amount of bone density. This is preventable by taking care to get the right vitamins and minerals, doing the right kind of exercise and maintaining hormone balance.
• Prevent weight gain in menopause- Once menopause hits, its much harder to lose weight and much easier to gain. Fat cells are a source of estrogen in the body, so it is common to hold on to weight more easily. Unwanted weight gain can be prevented by taking care of your metabolism in Perimenopause.
• Reduce severity of menopause symptoms and ease the transition- Uncomfortable symptoms in perimenopause are a warning sign of what is to come. Taking care to balance hormones during these years can ease this transition and help avoid unwanted symptoms from occurring.

Ok, its perimenopause, now what?

To help balance hormones, I use a natural approach with a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, herbs, and sometimes low dose bio-identical hormone replacement. With each individual the treatment plan is unique. The common thread being improved wellbeing, vitality, reduction in unwanted symptoms and a big sigh of relief. There is a solution!

If you or someone you know is dealing with perimenopause symptoms and is looking for a solution, call today for an appointment or for any questions regarding my care.

You can see  Dr Elise at Blossom Clinic In Portland OR, or call for a phone consultation.

Energy low? Finding yourself fatigued after the rush of holidays? Come in for a B vitamin shot.

$30/ 15 minutes to revitalized energy without the negative effects of caffeine.

Call now to get an appointment 503 287 0886

B vitamins are essential nutrients that our bodies use for many processes from head to toe. B 12 in particular is vital in the production of red blood cells, the function of the nervous system and DNA production. B 12 and the other B vitamins are usually absorbed in the digestive tract, however in many cases absorption is hindered by digestive system problems. For this reason B vitamins are often given as injections in order to override the digestive system. Many individuals will feel the positive effects of a B vitamin injection within minutes of receiving it and for up to a week afterwards.

What are the benefits of B vitamin injections:

Energy!
Stress reducer
Mood lifter/anxiety buster
Helps with nerve damage
Improves sleep
B12 absorption via injection is more effective than if taken orally or sublingually- where much of the vitamin is lost in the process of digesting it

Symptoms of low B12:

Fatigue
Weakness
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Depression
Poor memory
Brain Fog
Sore mouth and tongue
What are the causes:
Impaired absorption in the digestive system- due to aging, digestive difficulties or surgeries
Diet low in food sources of B12 ( vegetarian or vegans especially)
Low levels of stomach acid- normal process of aging, or due to stomach acid blocking medication

If you think you may benefit from B vitamin injections or would like to discuss you symptoms with Dr Elise, please call Blossom clinic and schedule a consult at 503 287 0886

1. Wash Your Hands! It’s easy to forget the basics.  According to the World Health Association, washing your hands can reduce your chances of getting respiratory infection by 24 %.  It’s best to use soap and water and lather up for a minimum of 30 seconds, however if hand sanitizer is your only option, use it, but do so sparingly.

2. Sleep- For prevention or treating a cold, get your 8 hours a night (or more!).  The immune system works at night, while we sleep.  So give up your evening TV show, or post dinner work session and get to bed early!

3. Food- You are what you eat!

• Eliminate all white sugar (small amounts of honey, stevia or maple syrup are OK).  Sugar can literally slow down the functioning of your white blood cells.
• Drink more hot herbal tea and hot water (but not coffee).  Drinking hot fluids can help to reduce a virus’s ability to bind to your throat where they prefer to replicate.  So if you are exposed- drink up! Some teas I like are peppermint, Gypsy cold care by traditional medicinals, and Egyptian Licorice by yogi tea.  Bulk herbal tea blends are even better- try my herbal blends like tummy tea, women’s tea or detox tea.
• Eat more soups and stews, especially made from bone broth, have been shown to improve immunity and shorten the length of a cold.
• Skip the fuit juice and opt for whole fruits instead.  Fruit juice, like orange juice, is full of fruit sugars which in a concentrated doses, like sugar,  can also reduce immune function.  So skip the juice and eat the whole orange instead.  If you must drink fruit juice, dilute it 50% with filtered water.

4. Exercise- Another great reason to get out there and move your body, regular exercise strengthens immunity.  What you want to do is go for a walk, swim or other movement 30-40 minutes every other day .  No need to over stress yourself, a hard work-out is not indicated when fighting off a cold.  Get out there and move people!

5.  Herbs and Vitamins- There is a lot of different opinions out there regarding what are the best formulas for treating and preventing viral infections like the common cold or the flu.  In my 12 years experience of experimenting with herbs and vitamins I have found the following to be the BEST.

1. Super Bio Vegetarian tablets- If someone you work with or live with is sick- start taking 1-2 tablets 3 times each day.  If you have already fallen ill, then take 2 tablets every 2 hours for 3 days then reduce to three times a day. If you are pregnant or nursing please do not take this supplement.
2. Elderberry Elixer (fruit anthocyanins)- This particular berry syrup is not only delicious, but a potent and effective immune support.  Its easy to take this one because it tastes so good.  Take 1 teaspoon a day  for prevention and 1 teaspoon 3 times a day when sick.
3. Arctic D Cod Liver Oil- This liquid form of cod liver oil does not taste overly fishy- its palatable and many people enjoy it.  Its packed with naturally occurring vitamin D and vitamin A, both important for immune function.  Take 1 teaspoon a day for prevention and 2 Tablespoons a day for treatment.  If you are pregnant, stick to 1 teaspoon a day so you don’t get too much vitamin A.

So there you have it.  5 ways to keep your immune system up and running this winter.  If you are interested in stocking up on some cold and flu prevention supplements, these three are on sale this month.   Get 10% off my favorite three supplements while supplies last!

Woot Woot!   Finally-Dr Elise is on Facebook!

I now have a Facebook page where I am posting daily health tidbits like news items related to health and wellbeing, health tips, recipes and also some personal experiences that might relate to your health as well.  Check it out here: Dr Elise on Facebook

In other news: Its time for the Annual Fall Cleanse!

September is one of my favorite months here in Portland, the skies are mostly sunny with some big puffy clouds, the rain is at a minimum and the mood is happy and motivated.  Its the perfect time to get some new habits under your belt before the holidays roll around.  But if thats not enough motivation, here are 10 other reasons you might consider  joining me this year:

Top 10 reasons to join our fall cleanse:

1. Because you want to lose 5-10 pounds
2. For Increased Energy
3. To kickstart your new school year/fall season with healthy habits
4. Pre conception detox  (see preconception blog)
5. To help motivate you to make changes in your diet
6. For a clear mind and better mood
7. Better digestion
8. To get more out of your workouts
9. Boost your immunity for the upcoming cold and allergy season
10. For better sleep

Really, any reason you can come up with is a good reason to join this cleanse.   To read more about why I choose to cleanse see my blog from last fall here Fall cleanse . The benefits go far beyond just how you feel at the time of the diet change.  You will experience better energy, improved digestion, and so much more.  Ultimately, it’s a fantastic way to create new habits that can last throughout the year.
This fall’s cleanse will include an introductory class where I will explain the details of the plan.  This class will be held Saturday September 29^th at Blossom Clinic.  It is important to attend this meeting to find out what to eat, and what activities to do while you are cleansing.

Included in the cleanse package are:

1. Introductory class
2. An individual appointment with me to personalize your cleanse to meet your personal health needs
3. Two acupuncture treatments with one of Blossom’s fabulous acupuncturists
4. One final end-of-cleanse appointment to review your experience and symptoms and set a plan for maintaining the benefits you have gained from the cleanse
5. One container of a detoxifying medical smoothie mix that will be used as a food supplement during the cleanse
6. One bag of herbal detox tea

To sign up for the cleanse class, call Blossom directly at 503 287-0886 or schedule online

*If you can’t make it to the intro class, give Blossom a call or email and we can discuss your options.