I often come across people and patients who are constantly on the go with multiple to-do lists and demanding work schedules. They feel as though they can never catch up. And guess what - their adrenals glands can't catch up either!

Adrenals glands sit just above the kidneys and help regulate the stress response by secreting the hormone cortisol. When you are constantly on the go or in a "fight or flight" mode, your adrenals are working very hard to keep you on top or your game. But there comes a time when these tiny glands get tired and need a moment to reboot. It's like running a car without any oil - chances are your car won't be functioning very smoothly. And it's not uncommon to see low mood, depression, anxiety and mood swings occur when the adrenals glands are over-worked.

By far, one of my top 5 prescriptions in practice comes in the form of adaptogen support. Giving your body and adrenal glands the support they need, feeding them healthy vitamins, minerals and botanicals to reboot their function, and your sense of well being. This is a foundational step in conjunction with a tailored treatment plan for your specific mood imbalance may it be depression or anxiety.

When it comes to supporting mood naturally, there are a few basics a naturopathic doctor like myself will always take into consideration. It relies on the whole body approach and finding the root cause!

Determining if there are any physical and chemical factors leading to an imbalance in the body and brain is always the first step. Certain medical conditions can give rise to symptoms that might mimic an unbalanced mood.  A few examples: hypothyroidism can mimic a depressed mood, hyperthyroidism can mimic anxiety, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can cause anxious feelings, low iron can cause fatigue and low mood.

Also, when your body is deficient in substances like omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin D and overall low protein consumption, this state can lead to the development of depression, anxiety and the like.

Assessing your health with appropriate lab work-up and a look into your diet for possible deficiencies gives me more information to better assess your current health, both body and mind. An appropriate treatment plan can then be tailored for your optimal mood and overall health.

Week 1 - May 13, 2014 : Introduction to detoxification

• Detoxification basics
• Initial elimination and detox questionnaire
• Brief health check-up

Week 2 - May 20, 2014: Elimination diet how-to

• Removing common food allergens
• Recipes, shopping list and group support
• Maximizing liver function through appropriate individualized treatment*

Week 3 - May 27, 2014: Review of elimination diet

• Brief health check-up
• Post-detox questionnaire
• Maintaining healthy habits

*The sessions are free of charge but please note that the cost of supplements/tinctures is additional.

Time: Session are from 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Location: Pure Med Naturopathic Centre, 298 Dalhousie St., Ottawa

Low libido or loss of sexual desire occurs frequently in women. It can be a significant source of stress and low self-esteem for the individual and their relationship.  As if feeling less desire for sex wasn’t bad enough, if it causes enough distress and difficulty, the medical community labels it ‘hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)’. There are plenty of disorders out there, so may as well add a sexual disorder to the list to make us feel abnormal. In reality, the prevalence of low sexual desire is fairly high, reaching 43% of women according to Kingsberg and Rezaee (2013), with 1 in 10 women suffering from HSDD. This concern is multifactorial, and can come and go throughout the lifespan of every woman. Various changes, such as relationships, pregnancy and menopause all play a role. But personal topics such as sexual desire are still taboo and embarrassing for most people to discuss in a doctor’s office. Let’s shed a bit of light on the topic.

So what is low sexual desire? According to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), hypoactive sexual desire disorder is defined as “persistently or recurrently deficient (or absent) sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity”. It can significantly alter your relationship and quality of life. Putting aside the known causes of sexual dysfunction such as substance-induced (illicit drugs, alcohol, and certain prescription medications) or a medical condition, what about the rest of the population that has lost their sexy mood?

An important factor is hormones. They play an intricate role in reproductive health, including libido and sexual desire. Androgens, like testosterone and DHEAS, are significant when considering sexual desire in women.  Low levels are often seen in women with low libido and “testosterone-treated women experienced significantly greater increases in satisfying sexual activity and sexual desire, and greater decreases in distress” according to Nappi et al. (2006). In fact, at any moment where hormones are low, women are at greater risk of seeing libido changes in their life. For example, menopause is a significant time for hormonal change.  During your reproductive years, the balance of estrogen, progesterone and androgens produced by your ovaries keep your body primed and ready for sex through healthy mood and vaginal tissues. However, “the hypoestrogenic state of menopause cause physical changes and alterations in mood or a diminished sense of well-being, which have been found to have a significant, negative impact on sexuality” (Phillips, 2000). Hormones are low and 45% of post-menopausal women are affected by vaginal atrophy which includes vaginal dryness, pain during sex, itching and irritation (Lindahl, 2014).The drop in estrogen cause friable tissues which makes it uncomfortable for initiation and carrying through intercourse. Addressing these imbalances and supporting the tissues are important in promoting healthy sexual desire and ensuring a pleasurable experience. Including phytoestrogenic foods like soy and flax, and hormone balancing botanicals like chaste tree, black cohosh, tribulus and wild yam can be useful in this regard.

But physical and physiological changes don’t explain everything – emotional and psychological factors are essential when considering sexual desire. Changing roles in a woman’s life, new challenges, stress and emotional balance can often be more important in regulating sexual desire, especially for women. Changes in libido are normal and to be expected when stress and emotional balance are prevalent. It then becomes more important to focus treatment on this aspect rather than treating sexual desire per se. Ensuring a healthy balanced diet and supporting your adrenal glands with B vitamins, and herbs like rhodiola and ashwaganda can be of great benefit for stress. Mood support with fish oils, vitamin D and key nutrients for the brain health can restore emotional balance.

Additionally, interpersonal conflicts in a relationship play a psychological role in sexual desire. But unfortunately there isn’t a quick and easy way to address psychological factors. Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy help alter unrealistic or dysfunctional thoughts surrounding sex and resolve unconscious conflicts affecting your life (Montgomery, 2008).  Dealing with difficult subject with a sexual partner, being honest about your lack of desire, addressing stress and working on thoughts and emotions relating to sex is the real key to unblocking you from a sexual slump. Seeking counseling can benefit both partners in finding the intimate connection they once had.

Remember, there is no shame in enjoying sex and wanting a healthy sexual relationship. Find the important imbalances, treat them accordingly, and bring sexy back!

References:

Kingsberg,SA., Rezaee, RL. Hypoactive sexual desire in women. Menopause. 2013; 20(12):1284-300.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders, fourth edition. Text revision. Washington: The Association; 2000.

Nappi, RE., Wawra, K., Schmitt, S. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol.2006; Jun:22(6):318-23.

Phillips, N. Female Sexual Dysfunction: Evaluation and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2000; 62(1): 127-136.

Lindahl, SH. Reviewing the options for local estrogen treatment of vaginal atrophy. Int J Womens Health. 2014; 13(6):307-312.

Montgomery, KA. Sexual Desire Disorders. Psychiatitry (Edgmont). 2008; 5(6):50-55.