Understanding The History of Women’s Healthcare

For decades, women were intentionally excluded from clinical trials due to the assumption that our hormone fluctuations would skew the research data. It wasn’t until 1997 that Health Canada released guidelines requiring the inclusion of women in clinical studies. Because of this history, much of our modern medical framework is built on the male biology, leaving a significant gap in how we address female-specific health concerns.

In addition, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) was founded in 1969, decades before women were included in clinical studies.

Moving Beyond 1969: Personalized Hormone Testing in Etobicoke and Ontario

Many women are told that their blood work is “normal,” despite struggling with ongoing symptoms of hormone imbalance like fatigue, brain fog, or irregular cycles.

We need to recognize that the standard system of care is not equipped to provide the deeply women-centred care that modern science demands. Understanding these historical limitations helps us understand how to better advocate for women and their health.

Every woman’s body is unique and we have to honour that individuality. Comprehensive hormone testing such as functional blood panels and DUTCH testing can help us find the root cause of your imbalance and create personalized care.

The OAT Axis: Balancing the Ovaries, Adrenals & Thyroid in Etobicoke and Surrounding Areas

The ovaries, adrenals, and thyroid (OAT) axis produce chemical messengers that communicate with one another to regulate energy, mood, menstrual health, and metabolism. When one system, such as the adrenals, is under stress, it inevitably puts pressure on the other two, often leading to a cascade of hormonal symptoms.

Hormonal symptoms often overlap because of how the OAT axis is so interconnected. It can be difficult to tell where an imbalance starts. For example, symptoms like brain fog, weight gain, and low libido can be rooted in thyroid dysfunction, adrenal fatigue, or ovarian shifts (like in perimenopause).

• Thyroid: Often the “gas pedal” for your metabolism.

• Adrenals: Your “fuel tank” for managing stress and inflammation.

• Ovaries: The regulators of your reproductive cycle and mood.

Relying on standard “screening” labs often misses subtle imbalances within the axis. Comprehensive lab testing and moving beyond “normal” ranges can help us identify the root cause of the hormonal shifts.

“Normal” Lab Results? The Gap Between “Normal” and “Optimal”

The standard reference ranges used in Ontario Labs are often quite broad. They are designed to identify clinical disease, not necessarily to measure peak vitality. It is important to look at where in the range you fall. For example, a “normal” iron store (ferritin) might technically be 30 ug/L, but many women don’t feel their best until they are well above that number.

“Normal” also isn’t just about a single number that falls within the standard normal reference range. Interpreting lab results requires looking at the patterns, the relationships, and the ratios between the tests. It requires looking at patterns between the ovaries, adrenals, and thyroid. We also need to consider gender, age, timing of menstrual cycle, and lifestyle. This is functional lab testing.

Beyond the Basics: Advocating for Better Testing in Ontario

Annual routine blood testing is an important way to keep track of your health as it provides a baseline. However, the standard annual physical in Ontario often only covers the bare minimum. While OHIP covers essential screening, many functional markers like advanced thyroid panels, Vitamin D, or metabolic markers are frequently left out.

You have the right to be the lead advocate for your own wellness. Understanding which additional tests are available to you helps you advocate for them.

Empowered healthcare starts with data. By tracking how your body changes over time, you can move from “guessing” to “knowing,” allowing you to make informed decisions about your wellbeing.

Beyond Medicine…

To me, naturopathy isn’t just a professional choice; it’s a lifestyle. Growing up, my mom taught me that every meal was an opportunity for healing.

My mom carefully considered the effects of each food on the body and paired each dish accordingly to ensure that every meal was well balanced. Bone broth was a staple and the fridge was always stocked with health promoting teas.

Many things like bone broth, turmeric, chia seeds, avocados, reishi, or ginseng have become trends and more recently recognized for their health benefits, but these are foods that I grew up with.

My upbringing was rooted in integrative care, a philosophy that values modern medical science and traditional healing wisdom. It was never a matter of choosing one over the other. It was about using every tool available to support our body’s innate ability to heal.

To me, naturopathy is not just medicine, it is a lifestyle, one that I want to share.