Dr. Michelle Payne N.D.

On September 30th, 2022, 11 regulatory colleges, including the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC, adopted a new Practice Standard on Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-Racism. I was honored to witness the ceremony that marked the adoption of this standard.

A little baking, a little continuing education! I spent 10hrs this weekend diving into evidence based ways to support health and longevity in menopausal women. While I was at it I thought I’d make some nutrient dense cookies to fuel the busy week I have coming up!
Full schedule + renewing my basic life support this week.

Did you know?

I have recently started to offer cervical screening exams to non-patients, in order to address the need for more practitioners performing this service. Of course, if you are already a patient, this service is available to you as well. If you would like to inquire about this service, please give the office a call at 250-475-1522 ext 2. or book online

I have recently started to offer cervical screening exams to non-patients, in order to address the need for more practitioners performing this service. Of course, if you are already a patient, this service is available to you as well. If you would like to inquire about this service, please give the office a call at 250-475-1522 ext 2. or book online

Nothing like some early morning CE. I’m spending this weekend updating my knowledge on Prenatal care! Already have some new evidence to implement to practice on Monday! Thanks for keeping me current!!

It is Canadian Infertility Awareness Week. Established to bring awareness to the 1 in 6 couples that struggle with infertility.
I am so fortunate to get to support so many people with infertility. I am honored to be a part of their stories. Wishing strength and good outcomes to all those struggling with infertility.

I am so fortunate to surrounded with an amazing group of women as patients, colleagues and friends! Thank you all!

Endometriosis is a common condition thought to affect 1 in 10 women. However, women with pelvic pain and infertility have a higher chance of endometriosis being diagnosed (up to half) and it is often seen in women without symptoms during other unrelated surgeries, so it’s suspected to be even more prevalent. It takes, on average, 7 years to get diagnosed with endometriosis. Lifestyle, diet and herbs can be an effective way of managing this condition.

PMID: 20574791



Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

March is endometriosis awareness month. This condition not only causes pelvic pain but can also affect women’s ability to conceive. There are naturopathic therapies that have been shown to reduce pelvic pain and decrease lesion size. Stay tuned to find out more.

As a Naturopathic Doctor with prescription authority, pelvic floor rehabilitation training and a focus on reproductive health I am well positioned to help people with vaginas manage vaginal and v***a symptoms. So many women and people with vaginas struggle with pelvic pain, pain with in*******se (dyspareunia), recurrent infections and irritation/itching. Don’t keep quiet about your vaginal/v***a concerns!
***arhealth

Anxiety is the most common type of mental disorder affecting 12% of BC’s population, or one in eight people, in any given year.
Since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020 I have seen a surge of anxiety in my practice. It’s not surprising, life stress is high, isolation is high and coping tools like exercise and social supports are more difficult to access. There are a variety of ways that Naturopathic Medicine can support anxiety but these are some simple places I like to start with patients.
If you are struggling with anxiety please reach out to you health care provider, there are many tools to help.



Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Endometriosis is a complex and often debilitating disease that affects more than 176 million women, transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people worldwide. There is no cure for endometriosis but naturopathic medicine can support symptom management and fertility of those affected.
I use an evidence based approach to offer support to my patients. If you are looking for endometriosis support I hope you will come and see me. I look forward to meeting you.


Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

A systematic review and meta-analysis done in 2015 showed that ginger taken during me**es can help relieve menstrual pain. Furthermore, some of the studies reviewed showed ginger to have no significant difference in pain severity when compared to NSAID medications (meaning it managed pain as well as NSAIDs).

*NSAID - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ex. ibuprofen)

PMID: 26177393



Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy year!
#2022

Did you know Vitamin D levels are lower in women with endometriosis compared to controls? Have you had your vitamin D levels tested?
As a Naturopathic Doctor that focuses on women’s health and fertility, I spend my time reviewing the evidence to help support my patients to reach their goals. If you are looking for support for your health condition feel free to book a free 15 minute appointment with me to learn about my evidence based approach.

PMID: 33385732

The brain-ovary connection is sensitive to energy availability. Low energy availability, ie inadequate caloric intake, tells the body to direct energy to essential bodily functions and decreases reproductive functions. Talk to your doctor about whether you are getting the calories you need to fuel your fertility.


PMID: 31539053

In a meta-analysis of nine studies, the median prevalence of anxiety was 41.9% among women with PCOS and 8.5% among controls, with PCOS conferring an almost sixfold increased risk.

In a meta-analysis of 9 studies, the median prevalence of depression was 36.6% in the PCOS group compared to 14.2% in the control group.

PMID: 28333286

Pregnancy and infant loss affects everyone differently- no matter what your situation, no matter how long it’s been, no matter if no ones knows or everyone does - it’s okay to not be okay.

To anyone who has experienced infant or pregnancy loss. I see you. I hope you are receiving the support you need. ❤️

I wish all CE was this interesting!

Those with PCOS are at increased risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and endometrial cancer. While an oral contraceptive may regulate cycles, it does not reduce these risks. If you are looking to improve your longterm health with PCOS, book a free 15 minute visit with me to review some of my approaches.

PMID: 25156132.



Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is estimated to affect 1.4 million Canadian women. Evidence strongly suggests that in addition to their presenting concerns during their reproductive age, women with PCOS have significant health risks including obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and certain cardiovascular risk factors. The high prevalence of the disease means women need to be correctly diagnosed with PCOS and encouraged to be proactive in managing their risks to prevent or mitigate the consequences of this chronic disease. Do you have practitioner that understands the details of PCOS? Would you like to talk to someone who does? Come and chat with me, I offer free 15 minute consults. I can’t wait to meet you.

FYI for any patients taking progesterone with peanut allergies! Please check with your pharmacist.

Happy Sunday! I wanted to share with you, a little bit about me. I am a working mom with 2 little boys, 2 and 6. I, like so many of my patients, struggle to carve out my own self-care time. I feel the mom guilt. Starting 2 months ago, I decided I just needed to start small. I worked with my family and decided that every Sunday morning, without compromise, would be MY TIME to go for a run. Before kids, I ran often, but since having kids, I have done it sporadically at best, only when the opportunity presented itself, often with weeks in between. For the last 8 weeks, every Sunday morning, I have gone for a run. Sometimes I can only muster 20 minutes, sometimes it’s 40. Sometimes I walk as much as I run, but every week I have a renewed sense of accomplishment for achieving this goal. One of these days I hope to build from here, but for now, I’m proud of the small steps I am making towards my own self care. If you struggle with finding the time to start a new self care activity- start with a small but uncompromisable plan. Once you have accomplished that goal you can build.
You can do it!!

Tell me about your self-care goals this fall!!



Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Evidence continues to support that our diet impacts many of the gynecological conditions I see in patients everyday. I work with my patients to incorporate evidence based strategies into their lifestyle. There are many options that can be adjunctive or alternatives to the conventional approach.


Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Those with PCOS are at increased risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and endometrial cancer. While an oral contraceptive may regulate cycles, it does not reduce these risks. If you are looking to improve your longterm health with PCOS, book a free 15 minute visit with me to review some of my approaches.

PMID: 25156132.



Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

How is your sleep? Are you unsure what you can take safely to help you sleep while trying to conceive? I’d love to help. Book a free 15 minute consult to learn how we can work together to support your fertility journey. Link to book can be found at www.drmichellepayne.com



Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Are you considering seeking support for your health goals? I offer free 15 minute consultations to answer any questions you have.
You can find a link to my online booking at www.drmichellepayne.com

Caffeine can produce significantly greater increases in subject-rated anxiety in patients with anxiety compared with healthy subjects.

Regulation of blood sugar, by ensuring adequate protein and fat intake while reducing refined sugars, can reduce anxiety symptoms.

Exercise has been shown to significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety.



PMID: 2983630.
PMID: 32342469
PMID: 27493821

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Try this delightfully refreshing way to keep cool, hydrate and lower testosterone.

In a 30-day randomized controlled trial, 41 women were randomized to drink either a placebo herbal tea or spearmint tea twice per day.  It was found that free and total testosterone levels were significantly reduced in the spearmint tea group over the course of the study.

PMID: 19585478



Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.