Hormones are important chemical signals that regulate and control multiple functions in the body. Each individual hormone is responsible for turning on and off multiple body functions. Patients with hormone imbalance commonly suffer from a multitude of disruptive and frustrating symptoms that tend not to resolve until the “Root Cause,” the imbalanced hormones, are addressed and corrected.
Dr. Sundene’s career in hormones serendipitously began when she was offered a job by a Hormone Doctor in 1999 who specializes in Hormones, Osteoporosis, and Chronic Pain. This early training in Endocrinology prior to starting Naturopathic School at Bastyr University is what sparked her interest in the biochemistry of hormones needed to solve complex Female Hormone cases. She especially enjoys researching how hormones and neurotransmitters are impacted by vitamin, mineral and amino acid cofactors.
She now practices an integrated style of hormone management, utilizing herbal medicine, vitamins, minerals, amino acids along with natural hormones to treat and address the “Root Cause” of the hormone imbalance from a Naturopathic perspective. She therefore has an Integrated background and knowledge of women’s health from a traditional MD Endocrinology approach as well as her skills as a Naturopathic Doctor and Herbalist to bring women the finest natural medicine options available to achieve perfect hormone balance and optimal health.
Dr. Sundene has worked in Female Hormones for over 22 years. She is the author of “ The PGE-2 Diet ® ” program designed to help women with estrogen dominance balance their hormones via simple recipes using herbal medicine and targeted nutrition specific for hormone balance. She combines her years of experience working in female hormones with her passion for reading biochemistry research studies to provide a comprehensive diet program and recipes. so women do not need to rely on birth control pills, surgery or supplements to treat their estrogen dominance, PMS and Perimenopause symptoms causing weight gain, pain and inflammation.
Dr. Sundene specializes in treating women with Hypothyroidism, Menopause, Perimenopause, PMS, PCOS, Hashimotos, Autoimmune, Osteoporosis and Complex Female Health Conditions.
Dr. Sundene provides a natural integrative health approach to women with Hypothyroidism and Hashimotos. Functional medicine is used to support the thyroid. Natural hormones are preferred over synthetic hormones along with diet, nutrition and hormone testing to ensure the endocrine system is balanced in female patients with hypothyroidism. When the thyroid is not properly managed patients can still have symptoms of cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, depression, anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, brittle nails and hair.
The goal of the Naturopathic Doctor is to provide as much natural support as possible and address other hormonal imbalances such as female hormones and adrenal hormones that may be worsening thyroid function.
Menopause has been a passion for Dr. Sundene since 1999 when her medical career first began. Her first doctor specialized in Women’s Hormones for Menopause, Pain and Osteoporosis. As a result, Dr. Sundene has an integrated hormone approach to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). While Premarin/Prempro were commonly used as the #1 choice for HRT over 20 years ago to treat menopausal patients, women now have much better and safer options.
Dr. Sundene believes the safest and most efficacious options for women are via Bioidentical creams, troches, lozenges, pellets, capsules and patches
PMS and PCOS are frustrating women’s health hormone conditions that can adversely impact women on physical and mental planes. Imbalanced hormones can cause moodiness, fatigue, bloating, weight gain, frequent crying, anger, depression, sadness and insomnia. Addressing these conditions with Naturopathy using a Mind-Body-Spirit perspective can help women take charge of their menstrual cycle rather than feeling like a victim of it. A Naturopathic approach using Eastern medicine along with the metrics of lab testing with Western medicine can be of great benefit for patients with these frustrating hormone conditions.
Endometriosis and fibroids are painful female uterine conditions that are generally caused by imbalance hormones and can be corrected with Naturopathy. Changes to diet, nutrition, herbs and bioidentical hormones can be implemented to address these
common and often very painful female conditions.
Bladder problems and vaginitis are an area of expertise for Dr. Sundene as a Women’s Health Doctor. She enjoys applying a Naturopathic approach to these frustrating Women’s Health conditions as there is often an imbalance in the microbiome, nutritional and hormonal system which integrated medicine addresses beautifully to help treat the condition at the root cause. Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infections, Vaginitis, BV, Lichen Sclerosus, Herpes, HPV are common conditions women can expect improvement with by utilizing Naturopathic Medicine.
Bladder Incontinence, Interstitial Cystitis, Recurring Bladder and Kidney Infections are also a Women’s Health specialty of Dr. Sundene’s as they are interrelated with healthy hormones and healthy nutrition. It is common for women to see changes with their female anatomy as they transition through their reproductive years to Perimenopause and Menopause. Vaginal Dryness caused by Hormone changes with Menopause are a very common female complaint that can be addressed with Naturopathy and Hormones.
“It is important to me as a Women’s Health doctor that women feel comfortable discussing their private health concerns with me. While it is normal for women to have a yeast infection or bladder infection on occasion. It is not normal if it is constantly happening, that is when I need to put on my detective cap and figure out what is causing the chronic symptoms.” -Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Hormones are natural chemicals that are secreted by glands in the body. These chemicals control most bodily functions and processes, including metabolism, muscle formation, immune functions, and reproduction. Bioidentical Hormones are synthesized from vegetable sources and are molecularly identical to the same hormones made in a woman’s body. Synthetic hormones such as premarin, prempro and progestins in oral contraceptives have hormone-like actions, but are not structurally identical to a woman’s own natural hormones. Synthetic female hormones are not the same from a biochemistry standpoint but may mimic the action of natural hormones. Proper hormone balance with a woman’s own natural hormones is important for the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
The fast pace and stressful nature of life these days have resulted in an increase in the rate of hormonal imbalances, especially among women. Even a slight imbalance of hormones can have a big impact on the health and wellbeing of a person, leading to several health issues.
This is where Bioidentical hormone therapies come in.
Also known as natural hormone therapy, the process involves using human-made hormones that are synthesized from plant extracts. They react with the body in a similar way to most natural hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. These hormones come in several forms, such as pills and injections, and are 100% FDA approved.
Women taking hormones or utilizing Naturopathy for hormone imbalance should have their hormones tested periodically.
Dr. Nicole Sundene combines 22 years of integrated health experience for women to provide first-rate focused care for women. As a naturopathic expert in women’s health she addresses all aspects of women’s health at check ups and by telemedicine. She provides complex integrated medical care, as well as preventive care, for chronic and acute women’s health conditions.
Dr. Sundene believes that optimal health leads to a more successful and satisfying life. Her Bioidentical Hormone Therapy treatments are targeted to improve energy levels, ensure optimal nutrition, strengthen the immune system, and enhance the overall physical and mental health of her female hormone patients.
If you have symptoms of hormone imbalance it is important to take charge of your health today and schedule an appointment with Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Nicole Sundene, by visiting our SCHEDULE page or by calling (480) 837-0900 if you have questions prior to booking your Hormone Therapy visit!
