ADRENAL FATIGUE: Many of us feel constantly overextended. We go to bed exhausted and awake feeling tired - only to start over again. Weekends used to be a time to relax and regroup. Now we catch up on housework, run errands, pay bills, take kids to practice, grocery shop and care for our elders.

Symptoms of adrenal dysfunction include:

     - fatigue

     - anxiety

     - food cravings

     - difficulty falling or staying asleep

     - irritability

     - low libido

     - decreased mental sharpness

     - digestive problems

     - headaches

When stressed, the adrenal glands produce cortisol to help us cope. It helps mediate blood

sugar, sleep patterns and metabolism. When the healthy stress response is fired up all the time, daily functioning becomes a challenge.

Non-invasive salivary testing for cortisol over the course of a day can show how well the adrenal glands are working. Lifestyle changes, dietary and natural hormonal supplements can get you back on track.

SEX HORMONES DURING MID-LIFE: Women today can expect half their lives to extend beyond menopause. Vitality and quality of life around menopause and beyond can be enhanced by balancing hormones through nutrition, lifestyle adaptations, stress reduction, mindfulness and by using bio-identical hormones when indicated.

Hormones should not be used simply to mask symptoms but to support us moving through physiologic transitions to enhance well-being well into the future. Non-invasive saliva testing can show if discomforts such as:

     - hot flashes

     - sleep problems

     - weight gain

     - low libido

     - food cravings

     - cognitive changes

- are caused by imbalance of progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA levels.

A unique treatment plan can be designed by you and your midwife together.