Women's & Hormonal Health

Hormonal changes can affect far more than your menstrual cycle. Changes in hormones can influence mood, energy, sleep, digestion, appetite, cognition and overall well-being—and sometimes the symptoms can be difficult to make sense of.

As a naturopathic doctor in Red Deer, I work with women experiencing a wide range of menstrual and hormone-related concerns. My approach is individualized and evidence-informed, with attention to your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, medications, nutrition and other factors that may be contributing to how you feel.

Women's Health Concerns I Work With

PMS & PMDD

Premenstrual symptoms can range from mild physical changes to significant mood, energy and digestive symptoms that interfere with everyday life.

I work with women experiencing concerns such as:

• Irritability, anxiety or mood changes before their period

• Significant fatigue or changes in energy

• Breast tenderness and headaches

• Bloating and digestive changes

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Painful periods

• Symptoms that consistently worsen during the luteal phase

• Symptoms that significantly affect relationships, work or daily functioning

When symptoms are severe or cyclical, I can help assess patterns, contributing factors and appropriate treatment options, while also considering whether further medical assessment is warranted.

Perimenopause & Menopause

The transition into menopause can bring changes that feel surprisingly disruptive. Periods may become irregular, sleep may change, mood and energy may shift, and symptoms that were previously manageable may become more difficult.

Common concerns include:

• Irregular or changing menstrual cycles

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Sleep disruption

• Fatigue and low energy

• Brain fog and changes in concentration

• Mood changes or increased anxiety

• Changes in weight or body composition

• Changes in libido

• New or worsening menstrual symptoms

Naturopathic care during this stage focuses on understanding the individual pattern of symptoms and identifying practical ways to support health and quality of life through the transition.

Menstrual Health

Your menstrual cycle can provide useful information about your overall health.

I work with concerns including:

• Painful periods

• Heavy or irregular periods

• Changes in cycle length

• Premenstrual symptoms

• Changes in menstrual symptoms over time

• Symptoms associated with hormonal fluctuations

A thorough assessment looks beyond the cycle itself. Depending on your history and symptoms, this may include consideration of nutrition, iron status, thyroid function, medications, stress, sleep, metabolic health and other relevant factors.

Endometriosis & Pelvic Health

Endometriosis and other causes of pelvic pain can have significant effects on quality of life.

Naturopathic care can be used alongside conventional medical care to address areas such as nutrition, symptom management, digestive health, energy and overall well-being.

Persistent, severe or unexplained pelvic pain deserves appropriate medical assessment. My role is to work alongside that care and help address the broader factors that may affect how you feel.

Fertility & Preconception Health

Preparing for pregnancy can be an opportunity to look at overall health and nutritional status before conception.

Depending on your individual circumstances, care may include attention to:

• Nutritional adequacy

• Prenatal supplementation

• Menstrual and cycle health

• Lifestyle factors

• Metabolic health

• Thyroid health

• Relevant laboratory investigations

• Preconception health for both partners

Care is individualized based on your history, goals and existing medical care.

Postpartum & Hormonal Changes

The postpartum period involves substantial physical, hormonal and lifestyle changes. Recovery does not always happen as quickly or smoothly as expected.

I work with women experiencing concerns such as fatigue, changes in mood, nutritional depletion, digestive changes, sleep disruption and other health concerns that arise during the postpartum period.

Persistent or severe postpartum symptoms deserve appropriate medical assessment, and naturopathic care can be used as part of a broader plan of support.

My Approach to Hormonal Health

I don't believe that every symptom can be explained by a single hormone being "too high" or "too low."

Hormonal health is interconnected with sleep, nutrition, energy balance, stress, thyroid function, metabolic health, medications and many other aspects of health. The same symptom can have very different contributing factors from one person to another.

My approach begins with listening carefully to your history and looking for patterns.

Depending on your concerns, we may consider:

• Your menstrual and symptom history

• Changes in symptoms over time

• Nutrition and lifestyle

• Sleep and stress

• Medications and supplements

• Relevant medical history

• Conventional laboratory results

• Additional laboratory testing when clinically appropriate

Testing is used selectively and thoughtfully—not simply because a test is available, but when the information is likely to meaningfully guide care.

Treatment is similarly individualized. Recommendations may include nutrition, lifestyle strategies, evidence-informed natural therapies, nutritional supplementation or herbal medicine, with consideration of your existing medical care and personal preferences.

What to Expect

Your first appointment is an opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture rather than focusing on a single symptom in isolation.

We'll discuss your current concerns, health history, menstrual and hormonal history, medications and supplements, nutrition, lifestyle and other factors that may be relevant.

From there, I'll help determine what further assessment may be useful and develop a practical plan based on your individual needs and goals.

You don't need to arrive with everything figured out. Part of my job is helping you make sense of the information you've already gathered and determining what is actually worth investigating further.

Why Work With Dr. Jen Pilon?

I am a registered naturopathic doctor with more than 10 years of clinical experience.

My approach is collaborative, practical and individualized. Rather than following a standardized protocol, I work with each patient to understand their history, identify contributing factors and develop a plan that fits their circumstances and goals.

I also believe good medicine starts with knowing when to investigate further—and when not to.

My goal is not to give you an overwhelming list of supplements or tests. It is to help you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and identify reasonable, evidence-informed steps that can move your health forward.