Dr. Amy Tung, ND
219 Lakeshore Road East L5G 1G5 Mississauga, ON, Canada

I recently spoke about Bioidentical hormone prescribing in perimenopause to my colleagues at the OAND convention. . Why did I want to focus on perimenopause? Women can begin to experience symptoms between 35-55 years of age. Symptoms such as mood changes, migraine headaches, sleep changes, and hot flashes. It is estimated 20% or more women are poorly counselled by their traditional medical doctor to begin outright menopausal hormonal therapy, the oral contraceptive pill o...r to have a unnecessary hysterectomy. . I spoke on the importance of testing women in the perimenopause phase and assessing hormone levels specifically estradiol (estrogen)and progesterone hormone levels. . What happens to estradiol and progesterone levels in perimenopause? In the very earl perimenopause phase there is a *rise* in estrogen and a drop in progesterone. But as a woman progresses through perimenopause there is a progressive *drop* in estrogen along with progesterone. . The second image shows Ovarian Hormones over the lifespan. Work pioneered by Dr Jerilyn Prior, MD who has researched the perimenopause extensively. Diagram credit @larabriden and her new book: Hormone Repair Manual. Dr. Lara Briden, ND has her new book on Perimenopause. . Questions about perimenopause? DM me or post below . See more

I’m really forward to speaking tomorrow to my fellow Naturopathic Doctors via Zoom at our annual OAND conference. . My amazing fellow board members of the @endoanp will be speaking also. @dralanchristianson @drfionand @dr.carriejones @holistic_fertility_doctor . I will be talking about this important life stage for women and how NDs can help women in this symptomatic time.... . Prescribing bio-identical hormones is one important option for perimenopausal women. . Ontario NDs who have completed the Standards of Practice for prescribing (an additional examination on pharmacological medications and interactions) are able to prescribe some bio identical hormones, such as Estrogen (various forms), & Progesterone (various forms). . I’ll talk about proper diagnosis, treatment options, how to monitor your patients symptoms and also we do talk about treating the root. . For many women it is stress. . No kidding right! Women in perimenopause are 35-55 years of age and end up sandwiched with many responsibilities and also hormone changes. . @dr.carriejones Lectured on perimenopause and called it reverse puberty. It’s the brain and the ovaries that need to communicate but also the follicles are decreasing so the natural feedback loop is disrupted. . Can’t wait to see you there! . Have questions about perimenopause? Comment below. . . . #oand #ontarioassociationofnaturopathicdoctors #perimenopause #bhrt #prescribing #prescribinghormones #menopause #virtualconference #naturopathic #naturopathicmedicine #womenshealth #hormonebalance See more

We all know that beauty comes from within. But did you know hormones play a huge role when it comes to skin health? . I did a recent IG live with the amazingly knowledgeable and beautiful Ashley from @glowbeautybar_t.o and we had a great hormone and skin Q and A. . If you missed out on the live you can watch the replay on IGTV.... . We talked about a few hormones that are key for skin health, the importance of sleep, limiting blue light at night, optimal fibre intake, digestion, bhrt, stress, iv vitamin therapy, collagen supplementation, vitamin D and a whole lot more. . DM me for any other skin & hormone questions you may have. . . . . . . . #hormones #bhrt #hormonebalance #skinhealth #skincare #nontoxicliving #nontoxicbeauty #stress #adrenals #cortisol #sleep #beautysleep #innerbeauty #guthealth #collagen #vitamind #ivtherapy See more

To an amazing boy we love so much! Dream big and reach high, mommy and daddy are so proud of you! . . . #happysonsday #internationalsonsday #momlife #proudmamma

Women ever wonder about the connection with your period and the moon? Both are typically a 30 day cycle. Posted @withregram @dr.carriejones Does your cycle sync with the moon? It’s Halloween AND a full moon! I’ve read it’s more common to get your period on the new moon and ovulate on the full moon ... There are a few thoughts on why your cycles often sync with the moon but I have 2 reasons I think are pretty legit. First, the brain hormone GnRH is released in a pulsatile manner throughout your cycle from the brain to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH). The release of GnRH is tied to your SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) - the SCN is your master pacemaker of your circadian rhythm. The SCN is also in your brain and is directly controlled by light and dark exposure into your eyes! The GnRH pulses increase as you get close to ovulation which if you follow the moon cycles, it’s when the moon is getting fuller and brighter! (If you ovulate on the full moon). So more MOON LIGHT gets to the SCN increasing GnRH increasing ovulation at this time. Then the moon gets darker and darker as you get closer to your period until it’s a new moon! Now you let go and bleed on the new moon. Second, your melatonin release from your pineal gland in your brain is dependent on the amount of light or dark the SCN receives. Darkness stimulates melatonin. Melatonin ALSO helps control rhythms INCLUDING your reproductive rhythm! So if your cycle is off or out of balance, make sure at night you: Dim lights Get off your phone Wear blue light blocking glasses for your melatonin production to help set your menstrual cycle regularly. Now, I fully realize this may not apply to you. It’s also called a Red moon when you BLEED during a FULL moon. Historically, those women were healers or priestesses taking care of everyone. The moon is magical. Enjoy its power and pull. Do you cycle with the new moon? Ovulate with the full moon? Amazing hormone info from @dr.carriejones she’s the best! #mooncycle #menstrualcycle #womenshealth #seedcycling #hormonesupport

I couldn’t live where there were no trees - something vital in me would starve. -L.M. Montgomery

Happy international daughters day! . To my two girls, dream big and reach for the stars! Love you ! . Xoxo Mommy & Daddy.... . . #nationaldaughtersday #daughters #happyinternationaldaughterday #nationaldaughterday See more

Happy Internatioanl Daughters day! Me with one of my daughters, I recently presented to my ND colleagues and fellow @endoANP members about The fourth trimester and the hormone shifts that women go through after birth that affect mood. . Women experience massive shifts in hormones from the third trimester to the moment they give birth to the days and weeks after birth. . If you want to know the numbers they look like this:... . Estrogen during pregnancy can go go up to 7299 pg/mL. This is what we call supra-physiological levels. . It’s what gives pregnant women glowing skin, increased hair growth, overall general improved mood - despite the swelling and all the other good and bad that come with being pregnant. . Immediately after birth, levels can drop down to a postmenopausal woman’s level of <18 pg/mL within hours to days. . Which explains why in Canada alone, 1 in 6 new moms will have some form of postpartum depression (PPD). . That means in Canada, about 400,000 moms annually are affected by PPD or some other form of depression or mood condition. . Let’s talk about the hormone shifts that are happening in women after baby is born. . It’s not just estrogen levels that shift. It’s Progesterone, testosterone, hCG, serotonin, prolactin, oxytocin, cortisol, dopamine, epinephrine, thyroid, melatonin and immune cytokines that are ALL shifting after birth. . Treatment options depend on the mom and things like her EPDS score, but could include things like -counseling (CBT and IPT lots of research here) -estradiol and progesterone (more growing research) -nutrient support (minerals and vitamins for new moms critical ones specific for new moms) -stress and inflammation support (biochemistry we look at the pathways that affect serotonin production and lots we can do) -prescription antidepressant medications (often first line treatment, lots of research) . Questions about PPD and the fourth trimester? (But I cant provide medical advice). DM me or post below. Stay tuned for more info! See more