Meghan MacKinnon, BSc, ND
1111 Davis Drive, Unit 39 L3Y 8X2 Newmarket, ON, Canada

I know many of you probably had a Christmas wish that things would just go "back to normal". As we transition into 2021, I would suggest reflecting by asking yourself what are you really waiting for? Do you think things will all be better when your kids are older, when your husband's hours change at work, when you finally get a new schedule or a job promotion, a new routine or when you meet your partner? ... Things will always be busy, the difference in mindset is realizing that no one is coming to save us. We are the captains of our own ship and no one cares more about our health and our goals than us! Today I am celebrating the women who've leaped into 2021 by joining my Wild Collective group, choosing to say YES to themselves and their needs. We are 30% SOLD OUT already before officially even opening registration. The cart will be re-opened again mid January so if you want to learn more about how this women's health group program can shape your health goals for 2021 please send me a DM. If you're not on the current list and want the pre registration details if you say "pretty please" I'll send them along to you! #2021 #newyearsresolutions #goalsetting #vision #selfcare #detox #hormonedetox #community #communityhealth #accountability #goals #healthgoals #findyourpack #innerknowing #divinefeminine #intuition #virtualprogram #wildcollective #wildcollectiveauroranewmarket #auroraontario #newmarketontario #keswickontario #eastgwillimburyontario #bradfordontario #auroranewmarketmoms #newmarketmoms #auroramoms #untamed #brenebrown

I'm going to let you in on a little secret this Boxing Day! Community is what got me through 2020. You see, I've always felt a bit alone in my business and sometimes even in my personal life.... This often left me uninspired, feeling like I was in a rut and stagnant with a lot of things! I especially dreaded the question, "what are your interests and hobbies", because I had lost so much of myself that I wasn't even sure what I liked to do anymore! Community helped me feel connected and inspired again. It helped me find my purpose and remember why I love helping women rediscover and reinvent themselves one baby step at a time! What's not a secret is that health care needs an overhaul and especially when it comes to women's health. Imagine a women's health community where you can learn about EVERYTHING and put stuff into action. I'll be officially opening up registration for Spring 2021 Enrollment of The Wild Collective in January BUT for TODAY ONLY, I'm offering a $100 off coupon for the entire 10- month, 10 session, live virtual women's health community. The cart will only be open until midnight so you need to sign up today if you want the discount. Prices will also be going up in 2021 so to access this pricing you need to register today! Only the first 20 women to register will be a part of our pack! PS- DM me if you have any questions before registration! Send me a message and I'll give you the coupon code and link to learn more and see if it's right for you! #community #communityhealth #accountability #goals #healthgoals #findyourpack #innerknowing #divinefeminine #intuition #virtualprogram #wildcollective #wildcollectiveauroranewmarket #auroraontario #newmarketontario #keswickontario#boxingday #boxingdaysale #eastgwillimburyontario #bradfordontario #auroranewmarketmoms #newmarketmoms #auroramoms #untamed #brenebrown

Let's change this. Disconnect from your to-do list and relish in the treat of self care by going to bed early, curling up with a book or taking a bath this holiday. So often we get caught up saying that we never have time for any of the other things we want to do, so if you have some more time handed to you right now- take it. ... . . . . . #selfcare #goals #selflove #positivity #atmosphereofgrowth #inspiration #brenebrown #loveyourself #support #habits #2021goals #womensupportingwomen #newmarketmoms #mompreneur #womenshealthnaturopath #stresssupport #stress #hormones #auroraontario #newmarketontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #kingcityontario #naturopath #wordsofwisdom #quote #motivationalquote #liveyourbestlife #startliving #mindset

First day in the new office! . . .... Yes, I am still open for in person care, so if you have a pre-scheduled B12 injection, acupuncture appointment or in person appointment- have no fear I will be here. . . . Regulated health professionals are still open for a reason. Your health is important, especially your mental health. . . Please reach out and connect with someone if you need some extra support. . . . #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #perimenopause #pms #pcos #hormoneproblems #thyroid #menopause #bioidentical #yorkregionnaturopath #auroramoms #newmarketmoms #hormonebalance #hormones

Do you ask for what you want? Do you even know what you want? I'm not just talking about presents here. I'm talking about the other things, like the job promotion, feeling more confident in your body, improved energy, the date night, hand holding or the time alone for self care. Maybe it's something else all together - only you know!... In the words of @adelewellness, it's okay to want what you want! This isn't as easy as it seems for many women because we've spent so much time putting the needs of others ahead of our own. Let's change this in 2021! It's time to put yourself on your to do list and do things differently. Women from my waiting list from the fall have already started registering for my next Wild Collective community and I can tell already that this group is going to be a lot of fun. If you're interested, but not on the list, SORRY the cart is only open to those who joined the list after the last session but if you click the link in my bio to join now- you'll know as soon as it opens up to everyone, I promise! . . PS. Being a dog and cat lover I think must share that I am neutral on the highly contentious debate of dog people vs cat people since I know someone will ask. What about you? Do dogs rule and cats drool? . . (Posted in memory of the late Ginkgo, the cat.) . Photo by @mombrain #thewildcollective #auroramoms #auroraontario #newmarketontario #eastgwillimburyontario #hollandlanding #keswickontario #sutton #georginaontario #newmarketmoms #yourneedsmatter #auroranewmarketmoms #selfcare #goals #inspiration #motivation #catmeme #dogmeme #selfcarematters #womenshealth #womenshealthnaturopath #hormones #hormonebalance #findyourpack #community #connection #manifestation Reposted with @preview.app

Feeling all the feelings. This week may be challenging for many of you. You may feel unsure, uneasy and frustrated and that's ok. You also may feel a strange relief that you don't need to see people who aren't good for your mental health and that's okay too. ... Take extra good care of yourself this week with lots of love, empathy and release any negative judgement or expectations that you've placed on yourself. Sending everyone lots of love. . . . . . . @crazyheadcomics #christmas2020 #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #therapy #therapist #selfhelp #selfcare #selfworth #grief #healingjourney #depressionjourney #mentalhealthadvocate #anxietyrelief #anxietytips #takecare #sad #mentalhealthmatters #christmasstress

"You don't need to do it all alone, you were never meant to." - Brené Brown It's only been 3 months of me facilitating The Wild Collective Aurora- Newmarket, yet I am seeing so many positive changes with these women already! ... The Wild Collective is an international program that has transformed the health and lives of hundreds of women, by learning about our health and connecting to our intuition/ inner wild. If there's one thing we've learned this year, it's the true importance of connection and community for our health and well-being. So far we've deep dived into understanding our hormones and menstrual cycles, we've asked ourselves if we trust our gut and learned all about optimizing our digestion. We've also had conversations about what we need to let go of or detox from our lives, while learning all about detoxification and clean products. Think @glennondoyle Untamed meets @BreneBrown + all the stuff you want to know to optimize your health and your hormones = pure magic! Working with these women seriously lights me up. I can't wait to see which women decide to level up and enroll in my next pack. Enrollment will be opening soon! If you want to be one of the first to know when registration opens and to access 2020 pricing, join the list at at www.wildcollectiveauroranewmarket.com before the end of the week! Personal emails will be in your inbox by the end of the week with what you need to know to get VIP access! PS- since we've virtual you don't need to live in Aurora or Newmarket and can join from anywhere @_the_wild_collective #community #communityhealth #accountability #goals #healthgoals #findyourpack #innerknowing #divinefeminine #intuition #virtualprogram #wildcollective #wildcollectiveauroranewmarket #auroraontario #newmarketontario #keswickontario #eastgwillimburyontario #bradfordontario #auroranewmarketmoms #newmarketmoms #auroramoms #untamed #brenebrown

What do you need to let go of? Are you holding onto things from the past that are no longer serving you? This week we had our second wild collective session and it was about all things detoxification- both physical and emotional.... We went deep myth busters on common misconceptions about detoxification and left feeling empowered and excited about simple steps we can all take to reduce environmental exposures. Personally, I am choosing to release the obsession I've developed this week of doom scrolling Twitter for the latest updates from our dearest friends south of the border. In the words of Elsa, Let it Go, Let it Go! If you want in on the action and amazing-ness of the Wild Collective, click the link in my bio or send me a DM and I'll add you to the VIP list of women who will be the first to know when I open up enrollment again. . . . . . . . . . #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #hotflashes #depression #feelinghormonal #mood #mindset #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #hormonebalance #womenshealthnaturopath #hrt #bhrt #functionalmedicinedoctor #functionalmedicine #communityhealth #wildcollective #findyourpack #perimenopause #pms #menopause #hormoneproblems #thyroid #BHRT #bioidentical #bioidenticalhormones #estrogenmatters

Are you assuming everything is *fine* because you didn't hear back from your doctor? Listen ladies, no one is going to care more about your health than you, and it's best practice to not make any assumptions when it comes to your care. When I ask women if they've ever had any concerns with their cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid or iron , there is often an assumed thought, "well no one has ever told me any differently"!?... If you've not taken personal responsibility for your health before, don't worry, it's not too late! Make it a plan for 2021 to start a personal health file for yourself, and whenever you get any testing or assessment done- keep it in the file! By doing this, you can monitor changes over time and ask your care provider what optimal numbers look like so you can be sure that you're not just celebrating the fact that you're not scraping the bottom of the barrel. It's not up to you to understand what it all means, but it is important for you to be engaged and empowered with the process and collecting these reports, which belong to you, can help! #healthcare #selfcare #goals #selflove #optimalhealth #positivity #atmosphereofgrowth #prevention #inspiration #functionalmedicine #wellness #naturopathicmedicine #yourneedsmatter #loveyourself #support #habits #2021goals #womensupportingwomen #newmarketmoms #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #stresssupport #burnout #stress #hormones #auroraontario #newmarketontario #georginaontario #keswickontario #eastgwillimburyontario

If you're wanting new results in life but keep doing the same things, it's time to change things up. Want more career fulfillment? Want to try a new hobby?... Sick of waiting around for Prince Charming to start a family? Want to improve your relationships? Want better health? Staying status quo is totally fine, IF that's what you truly think is best for you, but if you feel like you want more or something different for yourself - change it up, do something different and get living! . . What's on your "bucket list"? Ask yourself if anything there can be moved up and implemented now! . . Me? I've started learning how to play piano and I am having so much fun! . . . . . #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #kingcityontario #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #wordsofwisdom #inspiration #eckharttolle #motivation #quote #motivationalquote #goals #cultivatejoy #bucketlist #liveyourbestlife #startliving #mindset #mindsetmastery #mindshift #SMC #ivf #singlemombychoice

The Female Brain Did you know that our brains are greatly influenced by our hormones? If you've ever been pregnant and given birth, you've likely experienced what gets called 'baby brain', caused by a sudden crash of hormones.... When we think of this and the experience of mood related PMS that so many experience, it's not so obsurd to imagine that many women who transition into perimenopause and menopause can experience new onset depression and anxiety. You cannot easily separate your mood from your hormones, so I suggest tracking your symptoms and discussing them with your healthcare provider. This book, The XX Brain by @dr_mosconi is also an excellent place to learn more! . . . . . . #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #hotflashes #depression #feelinghormonal #mood #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #functionalmedicinedoctor #functionalmedicine #pmdd #perimenopause #pms #menopause #hormoneproblems #thyroid #BHRT #bioidentical #bioidenticalhormones #estrogenmatters #HRT #mentalhealth #anxiety #dementiaprevention

Sometimes it's hard to see the light, but look up you never know what beauty and signs you may observe. One of my favourite sayings when discussing stress, overwhelm and mental health with my patients, is that the sun is always shining above the clouds even on a stormy day. If you've been having a hard time, I hope this brings you some peace, contentment and perspective.... #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #kingcityontario #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #wordsofwisdom #inspiration #eckharttolle #motivation #quote #motivationalquote #goals #cultivatejoy #bucketlist #liveyourbestlife #startliving #mindset #mindsetmastery #mindshift #electionstress #mentalhealth #electionanxiety

I am so excited to formerly announce the opening of Women360Care, the clinic I've been waiting to make my professional home since things went a tad topsy turvy, (yes an understatement), last spring. Together and united under one roof, at Woman360Care we have experts in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause and all urogynecology related concerns. Best part of all, there is real heart and soul within the team female practitioners at this clinic. ... Collectively, we believe all women deserve access to the quality of care and attention we provide and it's a bonus that our office is a brand new state of the art space for women to access their healthcare. Of course, virtual care still remains the safest option at this point in time, but don't worry I'll share plenty of photos and videos in the future! PS. I have promised multiple current patients that I would share on here when we've officially hired a family doctor, also with a focus in women's health and we have! Any of my patients waiting for this update - please DM me and I'll start a first to call list to pass along for when she starts booking patients in March. . . . . . . @drmegmackinnon.nd #auroraontario #newmarketontario #keswickontario #georginaontario #eastgwillimburyontario #newmarketmoms #auroramoms #auroranewmarketmoms #periods #menstrualcycle #auntflow #pms #pmdd #periodpain #periodcramps #endometriosis #pcos #fibroids #infertility #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #hormones #hormonesupport #hormoneharmony #hormonebalance #hormonehealth #perimenopause

I have exciting news! 2020 has been a rollercoaster of a ride for everything, including my physical in-person practice. I'm happy to share that @woman360care officially has a new *forever* home and we're moving back to ...... AURORA!... Our new office is currently being built out with all of the high-end finishes that compliments the attention to detail and quality of care that we give to each and every patient. We'll be joining a bunch of other stellar health care teams like @auroraprimephysiotherapy @amandahomenphysio , @sheelazelmer , @midwivesofyorkregion, in the medical building at 372 Hollandview Trail, off of Bayview Ave. Of course, I'll still be maintaining my virtual practice for women from all over Ontario, so you don't need to be local to get the care you deserve to have. Here's to new beginnings in 2021! #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #womenshealth #perimenopause #pms #pcos #hormoneproblems #thyroid #menopause #bioidentical #hormoneproblems #integrativemedicine #integrativehealth #hormonebalance #perimenopausal #pcos #endometriosis #fertility #yorkregionnaturopath #auroranaturopath #newmarketnaturopath #townofaurora #townofnewmarket

Infertility sucks. It's not fair, and it's ok to not be ok, and still keep moving forward. In honour of #worldfertilityday, I thought I would share some of the things you need to STOP saying to your loved ones going through fertility challenges. When a friend or family member is going through a difficult time it's natural to feel the urge to say things that you hope will comfort them. ... It's also pretty normal to accidentally say or do something that can have the opposite effect, even when you have the best intentions. STOP thinking you can't be supportive because you've never struggled with infertility. It's okay to say you're there for them, and admit if you're not sure what to say or do. Ask them what they need most. STOP speaking on the universe's behalf. Comments like "if it's meant to be, it will happen", ARE NOT helpful. This may comfort you with your issues, but it can be a painful statement for someone going through fertility struggle. STOP telling them they're "lucky" to not have kids and STOP complaining about your kids and your pregnancy. Think about it. This one should be obvious, but it's not to everyone. STOP assuming that they don't want to hear anything about your pregnancy or kids, but maybe don't gush about them either. This can be hard. When announcing a pregnancy, do so in a way that gives privacy and space for your loved ones reaction. Instead, ask what THEY prefer to discuss and hear about your children. Some women may enjoy this and some may not, but chances are they don't want to hear you go on and on forever about your children or pregnancy. Lastly, remember you may not know that those around you are having fertility challenges so be mindful of any conversations asking when they're going to have a baby, or their second baby. They will tell you if they feel comfortable, but it's best to assume that any woman may be trying to conceive. Sending lots of love, good vibes and cautious optimism into the world today for these women.

Happy Thanksgiving! Cultivating gratitude for both big and small things is one of the most powerful things you can do in your life. We try to do this regularly before dinner in my house to teach our kids that this is an important practice. ... When my eldest was little every time we asked him what he was greatful for he said, "ants, animals and chickpeas", and we still do this as a toast often before dinner! Even though this Thanksgiving may look a little different for many this year, the thanks and gratitude are the same . #thanks #gratitude #happythanksgiving #greatful #gratitudeattitude #mindset #healthymindset #canada #canadianthanksgiving #imgreatful #myheartisfull

Public service announcement! Tell your mothers, your sisters, your aunts, your friends and your friends' friends. Once you've officially entered into menopause and have gone a full year without a period, any bleeding should be worked up by your health care provider with an ultrasound. ... Don't worry, most of the time everything is okay but it's important to have an assessment to be sure it's all good! Tag, save or share with a woman you love who should know this or remember it for later when she needs it! . . . . . . . . . . #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #hotflashes #depression #kingcityontario #feelinghormonal #mood #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #functionalmedicinedoctor #functionalmedicine #perimenopause #pms #menopause #hormoneproblems #thyroid #BHRT #bioidentical #bioidenticalhormones #estrogenmatters #womenshealth #

When Sir David Attenborough speaks, we need to listen. Yes, of course he's referring to our environment, but sustainability also relates to your behaviours and your health. Ask yourself if that extreme diet you're doing is sustainable, or the staying up too late, working too hard or any other things that are negatively impacting your health and well-being. ... Good news- we can change. It's never too late to lead a more sustainable life by adjusting things to be more in line with your goals and values. We've got work to do people. P.S. A Life on Our Planet on Netflix is a must watch for all human beings. . . . . . . . . . #davidattenborough #environment #environmentalhealth #savetheplanet #sustainability #sustainabilitymatters #quoteoftheday #quote #wordsofwisdom #healthyliving #lowwaste #goals #naturelover #nature #globalwarming #healthcoach #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine #functionalmedicinedoctor #functionalmedicine #integrativemedicine

Estrogen has a really bad reputation in the natural health community. There is always lots of talk about the elusive, "estrogen dominance" and how everything would be better with some more progesterone and adrenal support. While some of this may be true for some women, it diminishes the importance of estrogen especially as women start into perimenopause. ... In defense of estrogen I feel compelled to share that some common signs of estrogen deficiency include: mood swings and depression hot flashes and night sweats irregular cycles insomnia breast tenderness vaginal dryness/ pain with intercourse There are many things that can be done to support these symptoms and different ways we can assess you and your hormones. I don't have many spaces left available for new patient bookings before the end of 2020, so if it's been on your mind and you haven't taken action I'd love to meet you to see how I can help. Send me a DM to schedule or you can book online at www.megmackinnon.ca #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #hotflashes #depression #feelinghormonal #mood #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #functionalmedicinedoctor #functionalmedicine #perimenopause #pms #menopause #hormoneproblems #thyroid #BHRT #bioidentical #bioidenticalhormones #perimenopausepractitioner #mybestmidlife #estrogenmatters #midlife #mybestmidlife #progesterone #estrogendominance #midlife

Oh hello Monday. Are you a worrier? I can usually spot you a mile away, since I like to think of myself as a worry wort in rehabilitation, (with the occasional relapse). It takes serious work to break this mindset pattern, and I'm diving into it with some help from @adelewellness in a mindset program I'm doing with her to challenge our thought processes which is AH-MAZ-ING! ... Worrying doesn't actually HELP anything. The next day, event, appointment or meeting will come and worrying about things won't change it. Worrying doesn't will what you want to happen to happen. It doesn't help you achieve your goals or change circumstances that you have no control over. So just STOP. Take action today and practice living in the moment when you notice your head gets caught up in the worry game! Share with someone who may need to hear this this morning! . . . . . . . . . #anxiety #worrywort #dontworrybehappy #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #stress #stresssupport #stressbalance #pmdd #moodsupport #perimenopause #pms #pcos #hormoneproblems #thyroid #menopause #bioidentical

Oh hello there! I wanted to reintroduce myself to my new followers who are recently joining me in social media land. I'm Meghan MacKinnon, a women's health and hormone Naturopathic Doctor and I'm on a mission to help women live their best lives by empowering them with the information they need to optimize their energy and performance. ... I am accepting new patients virtually from all over Ontario and at my in person practice in Aurora-Newmarket, where I work in a fully integrative Women's Health Clinic @woman360care_canada. ( I have new details on this coming soon, so stay tuned!) I'm also a facilitator of the wildly popular women's health group, The Wild Collective and I'm so excited that we have our first session for our fall enrollment tomorrow night! I've been prepping today and these women are in for an amazing session. I love digging into health information and consistently am learning new things to better support my understanding of how I can best help my patients to improve their health. By nature I'm an over thinker, which is great when it comes to patient care, but maybe not so great when it comes to deciding what's for dinner.... I also a mother to two boys and my fur baby, Darby who keep me on my toes. Thanks for following along! If you want to book an appointment you can do so through the link in my bio or send me a DM if you want to get on the wait list for the spring enrollment of The Wild Collective. Appointment spaces will start to fill up soon before the new year so don't wait until it's too late! . . . . . . . . . . . . . #newmarketontario #kingcityontario #integrativemedicine #auroraontario #functionalmedicine #perimenopause #menopause #longevity #hormones #womenshealthnaturopath #hormonebalance #hormonehealth #naturalsolutions #healthyliving #naturalmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #naturopath #naturopathic #pmsing #perimenopause #stress #pcos #endometriosis

It probably doesn't come as a surprise that it's easier to fall into a bad habit than it is to start, (or re-start) a new one. With fall comes change of season, and a chance to re-evaluate what's working and what's not working for yourself. Swap out that glass of wine after dinner with an herbal tea, eat your veggies, drink your water, go for a walk, slow down and take some deep breaths.... If you're still in survival mode that's okay too, but trying small new habits can help pull you out of feeling like you're swimming upstream. It's never too late to try something new and there's no time like the present to focus on your health and self care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #auroraontario #newmarketontario #womenshealthnaturopath #yorkregion #naturopath #personalgrowth #strongmindset #empoweringwomen #positiveattitude #quoteoftheday #wordsofwisdom #healthsupport #mentalhealth #stress #happiness #selfawareness #motivation #selfcarematters #townofaurora #positivequotes #healthyliving #lifequotes #mentalhealthquotes #goals #quote #inspiringquotes #habits #habitchange #healthyhabits #selfcare

Your hormones are all over the map, cycles are off kilter and you're not feeling like yourself. You're not sure if something is truly wrong with you or if this is your body gearing up for menopause You pray that someone doesn't tell you "this is normal"! Perimenopause are the years leading towards menopause and the hormone fluctuations within this time can be extremely different depending on the woman, ranging from extreme or barely noticeable.... Many picture a hormonal cliff dive with plummeting levels during perimenopause, but in fact the opposite is true, and we see extremely erratic hormone patterns in the years before menopause. To officially diagnose menopause, you need to not have had a period for one full year. You can get a *clue* if you're menopausal by asking your ND or MD to to a Day 3 FSH and Estradiol level, BUT it is still possible to ovulate even if your levels are off so it's really not an amazing option. The more we talk about menopause, the more we open up conversations around what to not accept just as normal so you can feel empowered with your healthcare. If you have questions about menopause let me know or schedule a free discovery call through the link in my bio ( for Ontario residents). #yorkregion #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #womensupportingwomen #functionalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #perimenopause #pms #hormoneproblems #hormonehealth #hormonebalance #periodproblems #pmsing #hormones #menopause #bioidentical #BHRT #HRT #bioidenticalhormones #estrogen #progesterone #estrogenmatters #longevitymedicine #longevity

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) isn't just about the changes women experience with their menstrual cycles and fertility. A diagnosis of PCOS is linked to a host of other metabolic changes with a woman's body and physiology. Of those, research has found that there is an increase in risk of Type 2 Diabetes in women with a diagnosis of PCOS, independent of body weight. Yes this means even those diagnosed with "lean" PCOS are at increased risk! ... What does this mean? It means if you're past the stage of trying to have a family and get pregnant, your PCOS still matters! There is no time like the present to get focused on your health goals for yourself to prevent health issues down the line. . . Please share this message with someone who you think would benefit from this important information! . . . . . . . . . . . PMID: 22767635 #newmarketontario #auroraontario #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #evidence #hormonehelp #hormonehacker #hormonesupport #hormonebalance #diabetes #diabetesawareness #functionalmedicinedoctor #functionalmedicine #womenshealthnaturopath #cysters #pcoswarrior #perimenopause #pms #pcos #hormoneproblems #thyroid #menopause #bioidentical #fertility

This is important! Will the real progesterone please stand up? You know all of that "bad stuff" you've heart about hormone replacement therapy (aka #HRT)? ... Well, a lot of that bad stuff has been linked to the synthetic progestins vs. progesterone. Progesterone has not been linked to these same side effects and is the most commonly prescribed form of progesterone for health support in peri and post menopause. Progesterone can be prescribed both topically, orally or even via injections and the method of application is individualized depending on your specific needs. If you're taking estrogen as hormone replacement, and you have a uterus, (anyone who hasn't had a hysterectomy), then you need to also be taking progesterone at the right dose to protect the uterus from a thickening of your endometrial lining! If you want to learn more about how natural hormone replacement can benefit you, you can schedule a discovery call by booking at the link in my bio. Appointments tend to get harder and harder to come by, the closer we get to the New Year so if this has been something on your mind that you've been putting off, it's best to schedule asap! #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womenshealthnaturopath #perimenopause #longevity #longevitymedicine #pms #hormoneproblems #menopause #bioidentical #hormonehealth #menopausematters #menopauserelief #perimenopausehealth #hormonebalance #hormones #hormonereplacementtherapy #bioidenticalhormones #estrogenmatters #periodproblems #BHRT #naturopathicmedicine #estrogen #progesterone #auroraontario #georginaontario #torontomoms #newmarket #newmarketontario

Sometimes the simple things can make a huge difference. . . Don't underestimate the power of drinking more water and even laughter, or cultivating joy on your health. .... . One of my favourite studies to share with my fertility patients is one that was done where the researchers had a clown entertain women going through IVF, and they found an increased pregnancy rate for the women visited by the clown! . . . Even this study itself just makes me laugh! . . Truthfully, there's a lot of things that aren't very funny going on in the world right now and I think we could all use a little bit of laughter as medicine. . . Watch your favourite funny movie, comedian, read something that brings you joy or even just see how different you feel by intentionally choosing to smile. . . PMID: 21211796 . . . . . . . . . #research #fertility #ivfsuccess #ivfjourney #laughterismedicine #womenshealthnaturopath #hormonehealth #hormonebalance #naturopathicdoctor #perimenopause #anxiety #depression #stresssupport

Your personal support network is important! . Whether it's a good friend, a neighbour, a co-worker or someone on your health team, the people that you choose to surround yourself with significantly impact your health and well-being. . Here is a picture of me with one of my main supports. ... . This beautiful bride and I have officially been friends since we met 24 years ago! This is officially insane to me. . The best kind of friends are the ones who grow with you and who appreciate you for just being your true authentic self. . YOU get to choose what kind of person you want to be AND who you choose to have in your circle. . Drop a and tag one of your favourite personal supports to show them some love. . . . . . . . . . . . #bradfordontario #auroraontario #besties #BFF #eastgwillimburyontario #yorkregion #naturopath #womenshealthnaturopath #naturopathicdoctor #womensupportingwomen #community #naturopathicmedicine #sisterhood #georginaontario #womeninbusiness #toronto #functionalmedicine #mentalhealth #stress #stressmanagement #stresssupport #mentalhealthsupport #support #friendship #lifelongfriends #childhoodfriends

Bad Hair Day? . . Women put up with a lot of stuff. We'll keep going with lack of sleep, low energy and mood issues for longer than we should, but when a health issue messes with our hair, we stop and pay attention! .... . When evaluating someone with hair loss. Step one is to check in on protein intake, iron stores and B12, but there are a few hormone causes of hair loss we should be sure to rule out. . . PCOS: The high androgens ( testosterone family), of hormones in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome often lead to hair loss in some cases of PCOS, but not all. . . Thyroid Imbalances: Both hypothyroidism, (slow thyroid), and hyperthyroidism (fast thyroid) have the potential to cause hair loss, so you want to be sure you check TSH, and ideally complete a full thyroid panel. . . Low Estrogen post-menopause has been linked with changes in hair density and hair loss. These changes may start in your 40s as your hormones become more erratic. . . What about stress I'm getting lots of questions and complaints about stress related hair loss right now. Yes, stress can also cause hair loss by halting the growth of hairs directly. The good news - it should come back just fine with some serious self care! . . Hair loss is just like any other symptom we experience that requires us to stop, pay attention and assess what the underlying reason may be! . . I have a one space left this month, for a free discovery call to see if I am a good match to help you with your health goals. Link in bio to schedule! . . . . . #auroraontario #newmarketontario #richmondhillontario #hairloss #badhairday #hormonalhairloss #PCOS #cysters #hypothyroid #thyroid #perimenopause #menopause #alopecia #hormonehealth #hormonesupport #womenshealthnaturopath #functionalmedicine #takecareofyourhair #integrativemedicine #stress #losingmyhair #androgenicalopecia

Just Another Waterfall. . . This is a throwback to a trip we did for my Dad and Stepmother's 70th birthday, to the beautiful Isle of Skye in Scotland, or as my Dad refers to it, "Big Cape Breton". .... . There is something so powerful and mystical about Scotland that you need to see to believe, but while we were there we noticed something interesting. . . The first time we saw a beautiful waterfall spilling down the side of the mountain we were pulled over and out of our cars, cameras in hand in awe at the beauty. . . Then we saw 5 more, and 10 more then probably 300 more waterfalls. . . Yes they were all beautiful, but to us they had turned into expected and ordinary even just after a few days! We were used to their beauty, causing us to always jokingly say, "oh you know - it's just another waterfall". . . Don't forget to look for the waterfalls and beautiful things in your life that you forget to acknowledge and pay attention to because they're now part of your every day. . . Try imagining that you're seeing a flower, the sunset or our children's smile for the very first time and see how that changes your experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . #naturopathicdoctor #anxietyhelp #depressionsupport #mentalhealth #mood #pms #positivity #grateful #anxiety #gratitude #gratitudeattitude #gratitudepractice #iamgreatful #depression #inspiration #inspire #womensupportingwomen #personalgrowth #strongmindset #empoweringwomen #isleofskye #positiveattitude #quoteoftheday #selfcarematters #mentalhealthmatters #selfawareness #happiness #motivation #mackinnonclan #clanmackinnon

If anyone here has a pre-teen daughter some colleagues of mine who specialize in teen health are running an upcoming program that you should check out!

When on the birth control pill, your hormones are not your hormones! I'm constantly surprised by how many women forget to include the birth control pill on their intake forms because it's become such a part of their life that they forget it's actually a medication. This usually leads to a discussion about why they're on "the pill" in the first place. ... Some women start birth control for what it was intended to do, prevent a pregnancy, but there are many others who are taking it for extremely painful cramps, heavy bleeding, out of control PMS, acne or irregular cycles. I'm all for a good old band-aid solution if it's helping your symptoms and you're not experiencing any negative side effects, but we need to acknowledge that's all it is, a band-aid. What about when you want to start a family . Or maybe you want to come off it because you want to actually address why you may be getting bothersome symptoms Managing symptoms is totally okay, as long as we're aware that's what we're doing. The pill isn't the problem here, the problem is prescribing the pill to everyone with a hormone issue regardless of what it is and without a full discussion on risks, benefits and potential other options. Get involved in your healthcare and ask questions so you can make empowered decisions about your health. . . . . . . . . . . . #womenwellness #hormonebalance #hormonehealth #naturalmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #naturopath #naturopathic #pms #pmdd #mood #anxiety #depression #perimenopause #stress #pcos #cysters #pcosawareness #endometriosis #endo #endowarrior #auroraontario #newmarketontario #womenshealthnaturopath #hormoneproblems #fertility #pcoswarrior #hormones #functionalmedicine #bhrt

Cue the drama. The story you are about to be told is based on true facts. The people's names have been omitted for privacy reasons and this story is shared with permission. My New Patient (to her other healthcare provider): "So I've been feeling not like myself for a while, cycles are off and it just feels like something is wrong. I would like to make sure I don't have PCOS. Can you let me know what my bloodwork showed?"... Patients other healthcare provider: "Well, your bloodwork shows you HAVE A LOT of hormones." The end. Me: "Sigh." In reality I think I actually burst out laughing because I thought this was a joke but quickly realized it wasn't. What does this even mean? Frankly, this makes me sad and it re-enforces my mission help educate and empower women to understand their bodies and their hormones so they can make the choices they want to for their health. Here's what you need to know. Yes, you can test your hormones in your bloodwork and they can tell us more than simply if you've ovulated or not. It's important to time your bloodwork to a specific day of your menstrual cycle if you're still getting a period for best interpretation. It's just as important to test the "upstairs hormones", FSH and LH, which are hormones that come from the brain, as well as estradiol and progesterone to get the full picture. Most importantly, this story shows it's important to work with someone who knows what they're talking about when it comes to women's health. Ask questions . I'm currently scheduled into late October for initial appointments so if there this is something you want to address with your health before 2021 please send me a message or book at www.megmackinnon.ca #womenwellness #hormonebalance #hormonehealth #naturalsolutions #healthyliving #naturalmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #naturopath #naturopathic #pms #pmdd #mood #anxiety #depression #perimenopause #stress #pcos #cysters #pcosawareness #endometriosis #endo #endowarrior #periodproblems #integrativemedicine #functionalmedicine #naturopathicmedicine #yourenotcrazy #functionalmedicinedoctor

1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage, yet so many feel that they need to grieve in silence. . . Today is pregnancy and infant loss awareness day. .... . Days like this are important for society to honour and remember the little ones who we wish were with us today and to acknowledge the grief and pain for families, no matter the circumstances and no matter the length of time that passes. . . Light a candle, say a prayer or good wishes for these families today to show your support. . . In Newmarket, Riverwalk commons will be lit up today to honor this special day of reflection. . . . . . . . . . . @woman360care_canada @midwivesofyorkregion @drjessicadupont @jo.mcrogers #miscarriageawareness #miscarriage #infantloss #pregnancyandinfantlossawareness #pregnancyandinfantlossawarenessmonth #grief #griefjourney #womenhelpingwomen #womensupportingwomen #newmarketontario #rainbowbaby #auroraontario #riverwalkcommons #lightup #support See more

I never thought of myself as a cover girl, but here you go!

Do you ever feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster? I can say with certainty that you're not alone if you do. I would say that this is one of the most common complaints that women have when they come to see me. Try downloading a menstrual tracking app to see if your emotions line up with changes in your menstrual cycle! ... Your symptoms could be related to PMS, the more intense PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), underlying mood imbalances, or you could be in perimenopause and experiencing the ups and downs as your cycle changes before menopause. Tracking this information can be the most empowering and helpful way to communicate your symptoms to your health care provider so we can come up with treatment solutions to get you feeling like yourself again! . . . . .

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