Best Practices for PMS and PMDD with Dr. Lori Bouchard, ND

Exploring Common Symptoms That May Not Be Normal

Dr Lori is a naturopathic doctor who focuses on cancer care. She wants to help people with hormonal imbalances understand how they can support their bodies to regain balance. Her goal is to get people to be more proactive.

Q: What are some things people brush off as normal or “just part of being female”?

A: It’s interesting because when we talk to patients about their symptoms; they casually mention things like deathly cramps and “a desire to break up with their husband when it’s that time of the month” and think that it’s normal since that’s how it’s always been for them. While these symptoms are common, they are not normal. And they’re not something you need to deal with until you hit menopause.

Q: How should a typical cycle look? At what point should we know that our symptoms aren’t normal?

A: There are different phases throughout the month – the follicular in the beginning, ovulation in the middle and the luteal phase right before you get your period. It’s common for women not to be in tune with what’s happening in their bodies and want to push themselves throughout the month – whether it’s work or working out. However, a week before your period, you should allow yourself to relax and let your body recuperate and regenerate. So, when you say that you’re SO TIRED a week before your period, it’s a sign to allow yourself to rest.

Q: What health regimens: dietary, and exercise would you recommend for the luteal phase or the week before your period?

A: Normally, I’m a huge promoter of fasting. However, a week before your period, your body senses fasting as another stress. So, don’t do things that are too intense. Do more grounding exercises like meditation, yoga and stretching. We need to realise that male hormones are different from female hormones. So, don’t feel frustrated that you can’t push yourself or stay consistent throughout the month with a rigorous routine. Taking that rest is essential. Honour where your hormones are and make changes in your routine to accommodate that so you can see better progress over time. Make sure to eat well and eat nutritious foods throughout, don’t indulge in snacky cravings.

Q: What’s the next step for someone who has recognised an imbalance within themselves?

A: When you have a hormonal imbalance, a naturopath can put you on a good plan, but that doesn’t give you the full story on the ‘why’s’. Hormonal testing like the dutch hormone test to check your progesterone, testosterone and estrogen levels is something I highly recommend. Your hormone levels largely impact your body. E.g., low progesterone can cause fibroids, heavy periods, sleep problems, and downregulation of histamine response, causing more allergies etc. Testing is the most personalised way you can support your hormones. Your oxidative stress levels can also tell you how inflamed your body is.

Q: Can you talk about the breaking down of estrogen and its impact on cancer risk?

A: Even if your estrogen looks normal on your tests, it doesn’t mean that your estrogen is breaking down the metabolites safely and effectively. Estrogen breaks down into 2-hydroxy 4-hydroxy and 16-hydroxy. 99% of people with cancer have really high 4 and 16-hydroxy levels. Those are the estrogens that promote cell growth. Fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, endometriosis, and hormonal cancers happen because your body is not breaking estrogens down properly. The test is a great way to understand the whole pathway from where things are going wrong and where they are leading. It can go from helping with an acute, day-to-day problem to helping you become less predisposed to chronic diseases.

Q: What are some lifestyle and nutritional tips for individuals struggling with PCOS?

A: Stress plays a massive role in your hormones. The circadian rhythm and getting a good night’s sleep are essential when trying to get your hormones in balance. Certain foods stimulate your estrogen and insulin, causing cells to replicate more, like dairy, high sugar diets, alcohol, and wheat for some people. So, switch to nut-based milk and sugar-free foods. When your body craves unhealthy, snacky food, bump up your protein, fibre and healthy fat intake. Often, the reason for cravings is a nutritional deficiency.

Q: How important is eating cruciferous vegetables for better hormonal balance?

A: Cruciferous vegetables significantly affect how your liver metabolises hormones. Vegetables like brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli are good for you. You could also get a DIM supplement for them. Coffee enemas really help too. They metabolise estrogens and reduce inflammation. Getting a coffee enema is a quick way to get your body into balance. We are constantly exposed to toxins that can overburden our liver, so it’s important to give it some help.

Q: What about water intake?

A: I don’t think anyone gets enough water. You miss a lot of minerals if your water is completely filtered, causing you to feel dehydrated. So the reverse-osmosis process, where they put nutrients back into the water, is what I prefer. Getting a good in-home filtration system is essential. You could also be absorbing a lot of heavy metals from your baths and showers that further stress your liver. Get a great filter and make sure your drinking water is re-mineralised.

Q: How do you manage bioidentical hormone replacement with dutch testing, given that it takes a few weeks to get the results back?

A: Bioidentical creams only last 12-hrs in your body. So if it’s not something you’re totally dependent on, you can stop them and then take the test to know your baseline. Most people feel a lot better when they go on bioidenticals, so they may not feel the urgency to test, but it’s still worth knowing if your treatment is actually fixing the problem. Sometimes your body can get too resistant to bioidentical creams too.

Q: Why do progesterone deficiencies happen, and what can you do?

A: Gut health and microbiome affect your estrogen and progesterone level. Focus on eating a lot of root vegetables that are high in starch and consume healthy fats. It’s also important to not fast for too long but instead focus on feeding your body what it needs.

Q: How often should coffee enemas be done?

A: Sometimes, at detox retreats, we get people to do coffee enemas daily. While coffee is more detoxifying and helps the liver, other enemas are more nutritious, with probiotics. I like to balance it out with patients, so they’re not just doing coffee all the time. It is very personalised – recommendations could go from daily to weekly and bi-weekly or monthly – depending on your needs and your body’s response.

Q: Why does hormonal acne happen, and how to combat it?

A: Acne usually shows up a week before your period. Sometimes it could be your hormonal levels, but often, it could be the unhealthy bingeing you pick up a week before your period when your cravings kick in. Eventually, though, for hormonal acne, it comes down to the bigger picture: proper sleep, diet and managing stress levels is important. Coffee enemas are also a great way to manage hormonal acne.

Q: How to combat low blood sugar caused by fasting?

A: Your body is brilliant, so if you cut off one source, e.g., sugars, your system kicks into another system for fuel called ketosis – taking your body fat and making ketones out of it. It’s crucial to support how your body is going into ketosis. Look into how to fast correctly and transition into the system to help break up fat more effectively and provide that fuel source.

About Dr. Lori

Lori Bouchard is an author, an entrepreneur, and licensed Naturopathic Doctor. Inspired by her mother’s vibrancy and knowledge in natural medicines, she knew from a young age she would enter the healthcare field. She completed her Degree in Health Science at Western University prior to completing her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, a four-year full-time program at the prestigious Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto.

She is the author of Live Longer and Stronger with Breast Cancer, endorsed by US Presidental candidate and 4 times NY Times best selling author Marianne Williamson. It is step-by-step guide to help women fight their cancer more effectively. She is the owner of Oakville’s most innovative naturopathic healing centre, Inside Health Clinic, which has been helping men and women reverse complicated diseases, such as Lyme, chronic fatigue, Hashitmoto’s, and infertility, for over a decade.

She is registered through the College of Naturopathic Doctors Ontario, as well as a member of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND), Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), and the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.