It's enough to make General Ripper of Dr. Strangelove sound sane.

Most women I see in the clinic - whether it be for skin problems, products, detoxification, reflexology or energy work - report problems related to hormone imbalance. I suspect that in this age of plastics in our food and water and having grown up with estrogen disrupting hormones in the environment, that every man woman and child under 60 has hormonal imbalance to some degree. Pre menstrual and menstrual symptoms, menstrual irregularity, low sex drive, infertility in men and women, menopausal symptoms and earlier and earlier sexual maturity in girls and boys - all of these are symptomatic of a culture that is bathed in hormone disrupters and leftover hormones through meat, dairy products and water.

Do you know the saying "Physician, heal thyself?" (Jesus in Luke).

Well, sad to say, I suffered unnecessarily from a hormone imbalance for 3 years before my doctor suggested that I heal myself. Here is my tale of woe and "Whoa!" For 3 years in a row, every January, my period went on and on: for three weeks the first year, to four weeks, then to six weeks this last year. It was exhausting, frightening and painful. The first year, I had a variety of tests that showed nothing. The second year, my doctor suspected that I was traumatized by Christmas.

By early February this year, I was ready for a diagnosis of cancer. I told my doctor that I adore Christmas, and that the only thing I do differently is eat more meat than usual. She offered to prescribe me hormonal contraceptives, which I declined, and in discussing why this would work, we came up with the probable cause...

Tofu withdrawal!!!

My doctor suggested that I make up a hormone balancing cream just like I do with my clients, and let her know if it didn't work.

So I went home and sheepishly made myself some custom cream with evening primrose oil, wild yam root and clary sage. I applied it liberally to my belly. The next day, the six weeks of torturous, exhausting bleeding ended. I continue to use the cream on my belly. I also have embraced my friends soy milk, tofu and TVP with new ardour.

Phytoestrogens are my friends!

When I related this story to a family member, she told me "of course, soy is actually bad for you". The word actually often functions as a big red flag that something inaccurate, if not inflammatory, is about to be stated. One day soy is a miracle food; the next day it's killing us. One day, soy is why Asians are so healthy; the next day soy is why Asian men are supposedly "less masculine".

Don't get me started*

Here is what I believe is going on with our hormones these days, and I'll spare you the details. Please, if you are interested, let's discuss it further.

* Phyto (plant) estrogens such as are found in fennel, anise, clary sage, geranium and lavender are hormone balancing. They support estrogen production and/or function, and when the right amount of estrogen is produced/released, then progesterone follows suit.

* It is the estrogen mimicking chemicals in our water and foods that clog estrogen receptors, leading to a false sense that there is too much estrogen in the system.

* Body fat makes and stores estrogen, so people with more body fat than they need can be dominated by estrogen. Losing and gaining "weight" causes wild hormonal fluctuations.

* North Americans unwittingly consume vast amounts of soy by-products in processed and fast foods, along with trans (hydrogenated) fats. I do believe that the combination of junk soy foods and transfats leads to obesity and hormone imbalance.

A complex problem, a delightfully easy solution!

Would that most life's problems were as easy to solve as hormone imbalance! If you are suffering from PMS, infertility, difficult menopause, menstrual irregularity, want to get off hormonal contraceptives or suspect that you have an imbalance, I suggest the following:

1. Come in for a 1 hour, 30 minute consultation. I'll throw in the first half hour FREE! We'll complete a health assessment and history together. We'll go over your answers together, and I'll suggest treatment options that meet your needs and fit your schedule and budget.

2. I can give you easy-to-do lifestyle recommendations that will make a difference immediately! If you do these things, you'll be healthier in every way for the rest of your probably longer life!

3. I'll make you up a customized hormone balancing formula known in aromatherapy as an "Individual Prescription". With your blend, we can create shampoos, conditioners, hand soaps, moisturizers, perfume and other body products that will balance your hormones and make you feel yummy all over! I guarantee every customized product I make ~ if it doesn't work for you, I'll reformulate it until it does!

4. I can teach you how to "read" your hormones and chart your cycles so that we know exactly what is going on and can adjust treatments accordingly.

5. Of course, the most fun you can have in a Hormone Balancing Program is a Detox for Hormone Balancing Treatment Package! A Detox Package for hormone imbalance is always customized. I will report back to you with a customized 10 hour program proposal. Because I offer a variety of modalities, from body work, energy work through to hypnotherapy, your Detox Treatment Package will touch you body, mind and spirit and leave you with skills to last a lifetime. I can offer you a variety of "diagnostic" treatments such as reflexology, Chakra balancing and Thai style massage, depending on your condition and preferences. We can follow up with the treatments that suit your body best and that you enjoy the most. We can do a detoxifying all over body mud treatment, and a head neck and shoulders rejuvenating facial. Each time you come in, you'll have a healing FAR infrared sauna while I check in with you. Whether you want to go for a 1 month change blitz, or make changes over a three month period, I'll be there for you by phone and email, charting your progress with you and adapting the program to where you are at.

If you suffer from PMS, menstrual symptoms or irregularity, uncomfortable menopause, low sex drive, infertility or even cysts or fibroids, or are afraid of the consequences of hormonal contraceptive use, contact me to find out how simple, life enhancing treatment and lifestyle changes can renew your life! Don't make the mistake I made and put off healing when the solution is so simple and so satisfying.