Courtney Hasseman CNM

Our thyroid hormones interplay with our s*x hormones, stress hormones, immune function, metabolism, and more. It’s important to think “big picture” when evaluating these different hormone systems.⁠
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When is it important to evaluate thyroid function?... Most of the time! Here’s a list of common women’s health symptoms that may be connected with your thyroid health.⁠
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Irregular periods⁠
No periods⁠
Heavy periods⁠
Fatigue⁠
Constipation⁠
Weight gain⁠
Hair loss⁠
Infertility⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

It's my office-aversary! One year ago this Labor Day weekend we moved into our current space. And since that time we have been enjoying the light, space, quiet, and zen. ⁠
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There are plenty of days when I spend more time at my office than I do at my home. It was my vision to make the space a calm, relaxing environment for me and my patients.⁠
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Thanks for making it happen!⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Curious if hormone imbalance could be underlying your symptoms? Tired of being told that all your labs “look normal” while still feeling crummy?⁠
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A functional hormone consultation at my practice will take into account your menstrual history, health history, age, stress levels, lifestyle habits, nutritional status, and overall well being. It’s all part of the big picture!⁠
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So what does a hormone consult look like? ⁠
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*A 60-120 min initial visit to deeply review your health history⁠
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*Blood work in order to evaluate nutritional status, blood sugar control, thyroid function. (Typically utilizing insurance benefits)⁠
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*Saliva or urine testing to evaluate adrenal and/or s*x hormones⁠
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*Follow-up visit for 60 min to discuss results together⁠
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*A personalized action plan including nutrition recommendations, lifestyle modifications, appropriate nutritional supplements.⁠
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*Visits as needed to check in on progress and update as needed.⁠
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Why wait to feel better? Join our waitlist for 2025 openings today!⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

S*x Hormones…Not just about making babies! Our s*x hormones affect every organ system in our body⁠
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-Estrogen: The Queen Bee, our main female hormone. It’s one of the drivers responsible for s*xual development and regulation of our ovulatory cycles. It affects all parts of our body and is also important for the health of our skin, brain, bones, and heart. We make estrogen in our ovaries and after our ovaries retire in menopause production comes to a halt. ⁠
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-Testosterone: Though you may associate this with male s*x hormones it is also important for women’s health. Like men, testosterone is important for our s*x drive and motivation.⁠
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-Progesterone: Ahhh…progesterone is made only after ovulation and its job is to prepare the uterus in the event we conceive. It helps us relax and chill out. Healthy progesterone production is especially important for mental health and the prevention of PMS/PMDD.⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Excited to offer our new online group class on menstrual health! A favorite topic of mine!⁠
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Ready to master your menstrual health? Join us for "Cycle Sync: Mastering Your Menstrual Health" and discover the power of understanding your cycle. Learn about hormone fluctuations, different phases, and how nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle changes can enhance your well-being. Empower yourself with knowledge and take control of your health. Sign up today and transform your cycle into a source of strength! ⁠
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When: August 29th at 8:00pm on Zoom⁠
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Register Here: https://l.bttr.to/2hwGB⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

More and more women are recognizing the health benefits of hormone support for peri and post menopause. Using the right hormones at the right dose we can:⁠
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*Support urogenital health to reduce occurrences of UTIs and incontinence⁠
*Maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis⁠
*Maintain muscle mass and preventing loss of strength and mobility⁠
*Support cognitive health and reduce brain fog and poor recall⁠
*Eliminate hot flashes⁠
*Improve sleep, eliminating night sweats and insomnia⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Hello hormones…glad to meet you! This August I’ll be introducing just a few of our master hormones to help better understand the symphony inside our bodies⁠
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-Estrogen: the queen bee for females, responsible for egg development, ovulation, and most of our feminine features.⁠
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-Progesterone: Made only if ovulation takes place, it relaxes our brain and uterus.⁠
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-Thyroid: sets our metabolism and intricately cooperates with our s*x hormones to promote regular ovulation⁠
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-Testosterone: provides us with drive, ambition, and physical strength.⁠
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-Cortisol: regulates the most essential functions including blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation, and stress response.⁠
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-Oxytocin: our love hormone responsible for childbirth, bonding, and attachment.⁠
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Which hormone is your fave?⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

August is going to speed right by! Lots of happenings at work and at home. It’s a big transitional month for me.⁠
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In the office, we’re getting ready to start another nurse practitioner student and we’re celebrating one year in our new office space. Here on social media, I’m back to basics with a review of our hormone systems.⁠
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At home, lots of back to school prep! College drop offs, sports practices are in full steam, and we’re winding summer down to get ready for the start of school.⁠
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Are you able to squeeze in some more summer or are you already looking forward to September??⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Pain with in*******se. It happens to many women and most are too uncomfortable to discuss with her partner or healthcare provider. It's really important to be brave enough to talk to your midwife about these symptoms because there is so much we can do to resolve your pain! ⁠
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Common reasons for pain during in*******se:⁠
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*Breastfeeding - low estrogen levels common during breastfeeding will cause dry, weaker tissue⁠
*Vaginal infection - bacterial infections can cause irritation or pain along the wall of your va**na⁠
*Menopause - much like the season of breastfeeding, low estrogen will cause dry, weaker tissue⁠
*Pelvic floor dysfunction - muscles that are too tight⁠
*Trauma - fear or strong emotions left from previous pain or trauma⁠
*Hormonal contraceptive use - our own estradiol levels are kept low while on any type of hormonal contraception and may cause va**nal tissue to be drier or weak.⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

How to Shop For Quality Kombucha⁠
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Though I don’t often buy kombucha (we’ve home-brewed for over a decade), I’ve noticed that there’s a big difference in quality among store brands. ⁠
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Things to look for when shopping:⁠
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1. Good kombucha should be acidic and low in sugar. Sugar is essential during the brewing process but not much should be left behind.⁠
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2. Choose raw, not pasteurized. The goal is to keep those probiotics.⁠
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3. Ingredients should only be water, tea, sugar, and the culture. Keep it simple. If there’s a lot more going on then they’re adding unnecessary ingredients. ⁠
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4. Fiz should come from natural fermentation, not extra carbonation. Find brands that talk about their fermentation process.⁠
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What brands of kombucha do you like?⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Safe lubricants: Be choosy with what you put in your va**na.⁠
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Let me preface this post with a reminder that lubricants are for women of all ages. I’ve had patients that think l**e is just for older women. Ahem...No, l**e is for all women.⁠
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Most drugstore lubricant brands contain lots of weird ingredients that are no good for our delicate mucous membranes: Parabens, glycerin, synthetic flavor, petrochemicals, synthetic colorants, fragrance, and more.⁠
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When choosing any lubricant or personal moisturizer choose products without any color, fragrance, or the synthetic chemicals listed above. The rule of thumb is “plain and simple” ingredients.⁠
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Water-based lubricants are most convenient. My favorite brand is . Their products can be used alone for moisture, used safely with or without condoms. This is the product used in my office during pelvic or speculum examinations.⁠
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For women trying to conceive, a sperm-friendly lubricant will ensure that the pH will not hinder motility. A good option is Biogenesis Fertility.⁠
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Oils such as coconut oil or olive oil are good for personal moisture during postpartum or menopause. However, they are not to be used with condoms (will degrade latex) and are not ideal during s*x (messy).⁠
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Do you have any other safe brands to recommend?⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

We have so many great resources locally for pelvic health! Pelvic physical therapy specialists are here to help manage pain during in*******se, incontinence, recovery from childbirth, pelvic pain, and more!⁠
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Here’s a list of providers my patients have loved. Who else would you add to our list?⁠
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.kathy⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Join Staci's class on Wednesday, July 24th at 7:30pm 🌱⁠
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More Classes Coming Soon.. what would you like to learn about?⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Promote healthy va**nal tissue this summer with some of my favorite tips!⁠
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*Wash external skin parts and hair parts gently (your v***a) and leave internal parts (your va**na) alone⁠
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*All soaps, detergents, and laundry products should be fragrance and dye free⁠
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*Keep your clothing dry and change exercise clothes or un**es promptly so as to not hold excessive moisture against your skin. Air it all out at night!⁠
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*Use safe, clean s*xual products like to not irritate your tissue⁠
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*Keep period products gentle: Cotton pads/tampons or reusable menstrual products ⁠
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*Befriend your local midwife so all concerns can be addressed during your annual exam or problem visit⁠
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Questions? Anything you’d add to my list?⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

When a woman experiences pain during s*x it will affect the couple both physically and emotionally. Check out my article (through website link in bio) on pain during s*x to better understand your symptoms and address the cause.⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

As the weather warms up it’s a good time to talk about va**nal health. The sand, surf, and sweat can all pose challenges and make infections more likely.⁠
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Caring well for our va**nal flora goes a long way to prevent infection and pain. ⁠
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This begins with good nutrition: less sugar, more veggies and fiber foods, plus fermented foods.⁠
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And va**nal care also includes more frequent clothing changes to keep va**nal tissue as dry as possible, gentle external washing, avoiding fragrances and dyes in all products that touch your skin, and choosing safe period products.⁠
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This summer, head to the pool, beach, or hike prepared to care for all of your body!⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Don’t let your sunscreen mess with your hormones! Time to restock your summer supply with hormone-safe options.⁠
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Most commercial sunscreens contain hormone-disrupting chemicals such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and others! Ugh. We are learning more about how these nasties disrupt s*x hormone levels in men, women, and children.⁠
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The American Academy of Pediatrics also warns against the use of these sunscreens on infants and kids.⁠
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How to learn more:⁠
Read the labels on your current sunscreens and compare them to the Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen guide.⁠
I use DewSkin tinted moisturizer with sunscreen every day.⁠
Choose products using zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as the only active ingredients.⁠
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Visit my curated list of hormone safe sunscreens here! ⁠
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https://us.fullscript.com/plans/courtneyhasseman-courtney-s-summer-health-favorites⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

In case you need another reason to shop at your local farmers’ market, head over to my blog to read about why shopping locally not only benefits your local growers but also benefits your health!⁠

https://courtneyhasseman.com/in-season-produce-matters-for-your-health/
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Join Nutrition and Fitness Coach Staci LaRue, the newest addition to our practice, for our monthly Perimenopause 101 Group Class on Friday, June 21st at 1:30 pm EST. This is a 1-hour Online/Video chat for $35.⁠
We had a great group for our first group in May, enjoyed lots of fun Q&A discussion, and took home some practical tips!⁠
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Monthly lessons to thrive through perimenopause and beyond. Explore the pillars of hormonal balance through the lens of nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle habits for women entering their pre-menopausal years. Leave with actionable tasks and tools to take charge of your health and wellness through this age and stage.⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

My goal is to have my office be an inviting, comfortable, safe space for conversation and care. There are plenty of days when I spend more time at my office than I do at my home, so it was important that I felt cozy…no one wants to sit in a cold medical room all day!⁠
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Thank you, Colleen and Lori, for making the magic happen ⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Four favorite tips for infection prevention this summer: ⁠
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*Hydrate!⁠
Make sure you’re drinking enough water to keep cells hydrated and urine moving through your bladder and urinary tract. Aim to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces…more during exercise or when sweating.⁠
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*Say no to the sweet drinks, alcohol, and caffeine ⁠
These all can cause dehydration and irritate your bladder⁠
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*Don’t hold it⁠
Use the bathroom regularly so bacteria doesn’t have time to grow.⁠
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*Keep clothing dry⁠
Change out of any wet swim or exercise clothes promptly. Damp clothing against the skin will increase your risk of infection⁠

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

All About Staci…Our Team is Growing!⁠
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I am thrilled to share that Staci LaRue, a local fitness trainer and nutritional coach has joined our team and has already begun working with patients!⁠
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Current patients now have additional opportunities to receive support with Staci in between medical visits with me. Staci has also started a monthly perimenopause/menopause virtual group class so women in this stage of life will have a chance to learn, discuss, and ask questions with both Staci and other women. The first class was super fun and informative and I know this will just continue to grow as we meet and learn from one another!⁠
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Staci will be seeing patients one-on-one through telehealth on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. All current patients can now self-schedule through your portal for consults. ⁠
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If you have questions or need any help scheduling please let me or clinic manager Lindsay know.⁠
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Welcome Staci!⁠
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Staci is the business owner of In2itive Fitness in downtown Leesburg, and she has a passion for empowering women to prioritize self-care and discover their inner strength and confidence. Staci is dedicated to working alongside my patients towards natural hormonal balance through personalized approaches to nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle.⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Here it is! Curated just for you, my Summer Health Favorites list is ready on Fullscript! Check out and shop all my favorite products including probiotics, sunscreen, va**nal care, electrolytes, and more.⁠
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https://us.fullscript.com/protocols/courtneyhasseman-courtney-s-summer-health-favorites

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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Summer is right around the corner and good things are happening here at the clinic!⁠
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*I’ve finished putting together curated shopping lists with my favorite sunscreens and women’s health products. ⁠
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*Our calendar is filling, both work and play, and a number of my patients have already been taking advantage of working with Staci on their nutrition and fitness goals. ⁠
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*We’ve got our second group perimenopause group class scheduled for June 21st. Our first class was really well attended so I’m excited to keep this going!⁠
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*Posts coming your way June and July focussed on important summer health topics.⁠
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Happy June!!⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Dealing with heavy, painful, or irregular bleeding? Unsure if your period is normal? Interested in improving menstrual health through nutrition and lifestyle modifications? Looking for other treatment options besides birth control pills?⁠
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A consultation together allows us to assess your menstrual history, plan for appropriate hormone and nutritional testing, and design an action plan to improve your overall and reproductive health.⁠
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You CAN have healthy periods!⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM⁠
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Are you hiding your symptoms with the pill? ⁠
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Did you know that most women who take birth control pills use them for reasons other than contraception? They have been prescribed synthetic hormones to cover up symptoms such as heavy periods, irregular periods, lack of periods, painful periods, menstrual headaches, PMS, or more. ⁠
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It’s totally reasonable for you to decide that the pill is your best method for contraception. However, it’s not going to “balance your hormones” or fix your troublesome periods.⁠
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Hiding your symptoms with the pill does not address why you’re having those symptoms in the first place. Periods cannot be quick-fixed. Hormonal reconstruction takes time… And it typically takes a whole body overhaul of nutrition and lifestyle.⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM⁠
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Have you lived with period problems that you just thought were normal? I find that many women are not sure what to expect from a normal, healthy cycle.⁠
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Three major hormone systems may be contributing to your period problems: thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, and s*x hormones. These systems all communicate with one another and imbalance in one area can lead to imbalance in another. ⁠
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When investigating period problems, I recommend using a holistic approach by investigating all of these hormone systems as well as nutrients needed for reproductive health.⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM⁠
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Many brands of tampons and pads contain chemicals that have been linked to reproductive harm. Women and babies, those commonly exposed to synthetic chemicals and plastics used in commercial pads and diapers, are most at risk. In an article published March 2019 in Reproductive Toxicology, the author notes, “As sanitary pads are in direct contact with external genitalia for an extended period, there is a probability that a considerable amount of VOCs or phthalates could be absorbed into the reproductive system.”⁠
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Phthalates are added to pads to increase the flexibility and durability of plastic liners. However, they have anti-androgenic effects. This means that phthalates in commercial pads and diapers may be disrupting normal androgen hormones in our bodies.⁠
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So what’s a girl to do?⁠
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*Choose pads and tampons made only from unbleached cotton, preferably organic⁠
*Avoid products with fragrances and plastic liners⁠
*Consider a menstrual cup for a reusable, non-toxic option⁠
*Give cloth pads a try. You’ll be surprised by how comfortable, economical, and easy they are to use! ⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM⁠
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Your period is a bellwether of your overall health. Yep, every month we’re given a report card full of information on how our endocrine and reproductive systems are functioning. Painful periods, heavy periods, irregular periods, no periods at all? ⁠
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As the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) put it in 2015, our menstrual cycles are our fifth vital sign. Wow! This statement is poetic and provocative. It likens our periods to other vital signs, like blood pressure, that are essential in telling us about our health status. ACOG is reminding us that having periods and understanding our periods are really important! So what is your period telling you?⁠
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https://courtneyhasseman.com/your-period-your-report-card/⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM⁠
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/

Have you been dealing with cramps for years thinking this was normal? Menstrual cramps might be common but they’re certainly not normal! No one should require pain medication to manage periods month after month. ⁠
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While mild discomfort when your period begins may be normal, pain that requires medication every cycle or pain that disrupts your work or school day is not.⁠
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Detailed menstrual histories and evaluation are important to figure out the underlying causes. Period pain can be complex, but it can be figured out. Know that you do not have to live in pain.⁠
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Courtney Hasseman, CNM⁠
🌿 https://courtneyhasseman.com/