Menopause Book Club, Hormone Testing Webinar, and Celebrating 20 Years in Practice!
As I celebrate 20 years in practice, I have been reflecting on how much has changed and evolved in my life and in the world of medicine. Two landmark papers were published while I was in my acupuncture program that changed the landscape of healthcare and inspired my practice today. The first was the Women's Health Initiative study that concluded that the risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) outweighed the benefits, and millions of women were suddenly taken off hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms. The second paper was the Paulus study, published the same year in 2002. This study showed a significant increase in pregnancy rates when IVF patients received acupuncture before and after embryo transfer, and paved the way for decades of robust research into acupuncture and reproductive health as well as much media attention.
Overnight, women began turning to acupuncture and alternative medicine for support for menopausal symptoms and fertility in great numbers. I remember feeling a deep sense of purpose in the student clinic, as patients were noticing results and feeling taken care of. I was already interested in women's health broadly, but these two studies launched me in the direction of fertility and hormone health specifically, and I have had a very fulfilling practice ever since - one that keeps me on my toes!
Twenty years later, one aspect of my practice that I absolutely love is education. I often hear patients say things like "I wish I had known this about my period twenty years ago!" or "Nobody has every explained it to me that way, now I get it!" This Fall, I am offering two learning opportunities - a hormone testing webinar and a menopause book club. Both will be open to all ages and all genders. If the content resonates, I'd love to see you there! Follow me on Instagram @arrivesantacruz for updates and stay tuned for my next newsletter which will have all the details.
Hormone Testing Webinar - October
This webinar will be a tour of all the ways we can test hormones to understand female sex hormones and the menstrual cycle. Whether you are struggling to conceive, experiencing hot flashes, or have cycle-related questions related to irregular periods or PMS, this webinar is for you! In addition to the time-tested diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, there's no doubt that modern day testing through blood, urine and stool (yes, poop!) are instrumental in the women's healthcare toolbox and we will cover them all. More details coming soon.
Menopause Book Club - October/November
It takes a village to go through menopause! Come learn with me and my dear friend and colleague, Beth Dorsey, as we dive into one of the hottest topics in healthcare right now. This virtual book club will be centered around one of the latest #1 New York Times bestselling books on menopause. Join me and Beth over two evenings in October and November as we dive into the world of HRT as it reemerges into mainstream healthcare with new research to back it up. We will reflect on our own experience as acupuncturists and integrative medicine practitioners who have treated women successfully without HRT, offering a (hopefully) well-rounded discussion on how to navigate this hormone chapter. And, we'd love to hear from you—whether it’s your experience, your questions, or your expertise. We’re all in this together - let’s share, learn, and support each other along the way. Stay tuned for details!
My Practice 20 Years Later...
I graduated from my acupuncture program when I was 28 with the vision of supporting my women's health patients with acupuncture and herbs. Today, my practice is very much an integrative practice. I blend acupuncture, herbs, lab testing and targeted supplements for preconception care, fertility challenges, menstrual cycle-related issues and the peri/menopausal chapter.
Are you trying to conceive and it’s taking longer than you expected?
Looking for support with your upcoming IUI or IVF cycle?
Do you have painful or irregular cycles, or extreme PMS?
Is perimenopause or menopause bringing you new challenges?
Do you want to feel supported and empowered along your journey?
If this is you, I’m here to help. I’ve dedicated my practice to you.
Questions? Let's Chat!
If you're a potential new patient or it's just been a while since you've been in and you have questions about any aspect of my practice, book a free 15 minute consultation, reply to this email with your questions, or stop by to peruse my new lending library and say hello (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-1)! Follow me on Instagram @arrivesantacruz for a good introduction and peak into my practice and learn how I can support you.
I hope to see you soon!
