Moodle at CCNM

Liver congestion, inflammation and poor circulation are all players in reproductive conditions in women. In this lecture we will dive into the latest research as well as the Eclectic uses of herbs that are routinely used to regulate menstrual cycles, optimize fertility and decrease stasis in the pelvis. Herbs we will discuss include black cohosh, vitex, shitavari, maca, yellow pond lily, pulsatilla, red root, peony, horse chestnut, yarrow and more.

Endometriosis patients are usually left frustrated by conventional medical treatments. While coping with severe pain or eagerly trying to improve their fertility, the typical hormonal treatments can throw these women into a whirlwind of side effects, and the surgeries often do not provide lasting benefit.  There are many myths and misunderstandings about endometriosis, including the fact that we now know this is a body-wide disease, NOT just lesions growing in the pelvis. Endometrial growths are only the tip of the iceberg, and we must also be looking at the environment in which they are occurring.  NDs and holistic practitioners are perfectly poised to give these women the comprehensive help and guidance they need. Our holistic approach is safe and mostly without side effects. By providing a range of natural treatment options, we can help empower these women and address the many issues related to this complex disease.

Lack of muscle mass and sarcopenia-related illness are deadly and widespread in this country, especially among women. Women have shied away from strength training as it has been considered a man's sport. The health benefits of skeletal muscle mass are wide, varied, and well known, yet this treatment modality is rarely prescribed or utilized in clinical practice. In this presentation the many health and hormonal benefits of strength training and skeletal muscle are discussed as well as common conditions that can be positively impacted by its therapeutic application.

We will first dive head-first into identifying the many elements of hormone dysregulation that are characteristic of Polycystic ovary syndrome, so that we may understand how and what nutritional interventions affect hormonal health. Then we will take a close look at what foods are specifically proven to help, and what are proven to hurt- or further dysregulate the PCOS picture. Next, we will cover nutrients, herbal preparations such as teas and other augments to dietary interventions. We will end with a nutritional protocol of foods to incorporate and foods to avoid, putting together the previous evidence-based interventions. In addition to understanding what specific recommendations Dr. Cortal gives to her patients with PCOS, discussion will be devoted to the logistics of patient dietary change, i.e. behavioral change and motivational interviewing.

Perimenopause is defined as "around menopause" and refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years (From the Mayo Clinic). However, there is no agreed upon age of onset, with some women noticing emotional and physical changes as early as their mid 30s. Typically, by age 40 nearly all women are experiencing some type of perimenopausal change.

With Cardiovascular disease being the number one cause of death in the U.S, Dr. Tracy Stevens will review the traditional and nontraditional risk factors of heart disease, including the association of hormonal changes and cardiac conditions in women. This presentation will cover mechanisms of heart attack such as: spontaneous plaque rupture with clot formation; and, the role of inflammation as a trigger. With diet being a main factor in heart health Dr. Stevens will emphasize importance of the anti-inflammatory diet.