Elly Jenkyns ND

02/28/2026

Viruses are clearly circulating right now.

As part of my ongoing continuing education through Confident Clinician, I attended live deep dives this month on the latest evidence around upper respiratory infections and COVID-19.

Here’s what stood out.

The biggest driver of infection risk isn’t a supplement.

It’s cardiometabolic health.

Insulin resistance, elevated BMI, higher CRP, hypertension — and especially an HbA1C above 6.5% — are consistently associated with:
• higher risk of infection
• more severe illness
• more complications

Prevention data supports:

• Mediterranean and plant-forward dietary patterns
• Echinacea for URTI prevention
• Probiotics
• Beta-glucans from yeast/fungi
• Correcting nutrient deficiencies

What’s less convincing than social media would suggest:

• Oil of oregano (no clinical trials)
• Zinc as a daily preventive in zinc-replete adults
• Vitamin D as a universal prevention strategy (correct deficiency, yes — guaranteed prevention, unclear)

When someone is already sick, certain strategies may shorten symptom duration — but prevention is foundational.

Midlife isn’t a decline. It’s a powerful transition.

And this is the season where strengthening your foundation matters most.

If you’re getting sick more often or taking longer to recover, we can look deeper.

02/14/2026

I’m sharing something a little different this Valentine’s Day.

What if pleasure isn’t something “extra”…�What if it’s deeply tied to hormone balance?

Several studies show that women in perimenopause and menopause who maintain sexual activity (solo or partnered) have:
• Fewer menopausal symptoms�
• Better sexual function�
• Less vaginal dryness and irritation�
• Improved mood and sleep

This isn’t about chasing desire.�It’s about regulating your nervous system and reconnecting with your body.

Pleasure brings you back to yourself.

I wrote about it here:�👇 https://drelly.ca/blog/or***ms-perimenopause-care-plan

I’d love to hear — has this stage of life changed how you think about intimacy or pleasure?

Research suggests that sexual pleasure, whether solo or partnered, is associated with better sleep, improved mood, healthier ge***al tissues, and lower menopause symptom scores. In this article, I explore the science behind pleasure as nervous system regulation — and why or***ms may be an essentia...

01/10/2026

🧠 Is it brain fog… or just life on autopilot?

So many women in midlife assume brain fog is just part of the perimenopause experience. But what if it’s also a symptom of the pace we’re living at?

I recently read a study that looked at the connection between mindfulness and cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness and difficulty focusing. The results were fascinating (and honestly, encouraging):

Women who scored higher in mindfulness had significantly fewer issues with memory and attention.

And it makes sense, right?

When your mind is always pulled in five directions, when you’re multi-tasking from sunup to sundown… clarity starts to fade.

What if the answer isn’t doing more—but noticing more?

In my latest blog, I break down the research in plain language, share what mindfulness actually looks like in real life, and offer one small shift that might help you enjoy your day—and start to see the magic in the everyday.

✨ You can read it here →

What if your brain fog isn’t just hormonal—but a response to mental overload? This post unpacks a new study on mindfulness and cognitive clarity in perimenopause, with takeaways you can start using today.

11/11/2025

Can’t sleep? Waking up tired? It might not be “just your hormones.”

New research shows that low vitamin D levels are linked to poor sleep quality, shorter duration, and more disrupted nights.

I explain the research, the symptoms, and when it might make sense to test in this week’s blog

👉 https://drelly.ca/blog/vitamin-d-sleep-connection

Tired but can’t sleep? Waking up groggy no matter how early you go to bed? It might not just be perimenopause. This blog breaks down the research on one overlooked deficiency that could be affecting your sleep—and why testing before supplementing really matters. 

10/27/2025

💃 New research just confirmed what many of us already feel in our bones: dance is good for our mood, our hormones, and our health—especially during perimenopause and menopause.

Even better? It works whether you’re doing a barre class or just vibing to 90s R&B in your kitchen.

In my latest blog, I share:
✔️ What the research says
✔️ How often you need to dance for benefits
✔️ Why your midlife body might be craving movement

👉 Read it here: https://drelly.ca/blog/why-our-perimenopausal-body-might-be-craving-dance-and-not-just-for-fun

Then go press play and dance like your hormones depend on it.

10/22/2025

There is so much noise on social media about women’s health—quick fixes, hormone hacks, restrictive diets, supplements, opinions.

It’s overwhelming.
And often... not helpful.

The Wild Collective is different.
It’s not a quick fix or a surface-level chat.
It’s a deep, guided experience I’ve brought to Niagara—where women get the space, structure, and support they’ve been missing.

🌀 A curriculum that helps you understand your body on a deeper level
🔍 A facilitator (me!) who cuts through the noise and brings the evidence
💬 Honest conversations with women navigating similar shifts
🗓️ Monthly 2-hour sessions designed to go deep, not rush

Working together 1:1 for that long each month would be cost prohibitive for many—but in this group setting, you still get my guidance in a way that feels personal and accessible.

✨ We start this week
✨ Only 2 spots left
✨ If you’ve been circling the decision… this is your moment

This is where things shift.
Where you stop pushing your needs aside, and start following through.
Where you feel seen, supported, and in integrity with yourself again.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

👉https://niagarawildalumni.lpages.co/wild-collective-sales-page/

Or DM me—if you’re unsure, I’ll help you feel it out.

10/21/2025

Hot flashes and night sweats can be exhausting—but here’s something you might not know...

The strongest non-hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms (VMS) like hot flashes?
Hypnotherapy.

When I was studying for my Menopause Society Certification, I was surprised to learn how effective it was (and I’ve seen it work firsthand—for myself and my patients).

In my latest blog, I’m sharing:
✅ What makes hot flashes worse
✅ How hypnotherapy rewires your brain’s thermostat
✅ Why the placebo effect is actually a sign of your power

If you’re not ready—or not able—to go the hormone route, this is a great option to know about.
👇https://drelly.ca/blog/natural-support-for-hot-flashes

Send a message to learn more

08/30/2025

07/08/2025

Midlife isn’t a decline; it’s a powerful transition. These 5 mindset shifts will help you move from feeling stuck and exhausted to clear, confident, and capable as you navigate perimenopause and beyond. Small shifts lead to big changes. Read now:

Five mindset shifts I share with women in their 40s and 50s to help them move from frustration and fatigue to clarity and confidence on their wellness journey.

05/26/2025

I just listened to this excellent interview on Real Integrative Medicine with Dr. Jordan Robertson and researcher Dr. Monique Aucoin on the connection between blood sugar balance and anxiety. Her findings on protein adequacy and ongoing support mirror so much of what we discussed this month in The Wild Collective—and what I emphasize with patients every day in consults. It's worth a listen if you’ve been wondering how food impacts mood.

Podcast Episode · Real Integrative Medicine with Dr. Jordan Robertson ND · 2025-05-22 · 45m

03/21/2025

Is brain fog stealing your focus in perimenopause? It might not just be hormones.

A new study on women in perimenopause found that even mildly low iron levels were linked to worse memory and cognitive function.

🧠 That means symptoms like:
• Forgetfulness
• Mental fog
• Difficulty focusing
• Losing your words mid-sentence...

…could be tied to iron status—even if your lab results say you’re “not anemic.”

It makes sense. As hormones shift and periods get heavier or more erratic, many women in their 40s experience subtle iron depletion that goes unnoticed—but not unfelt.

The fix? We start with testing. Because you deserve clarity—not just a “normal” label on your labs.

If your brain’s been feeling off lately, let’s explore why. It might be simpler (and more fixable) than you think.

💬 DM me if this sounds like you—we can get answers and build a plan that brings you back to clear, calm, and capable.

02/28/2025

TONIGHT AT 7PM! Please share with anyone who might be interested. Hope to see you there!

“Shredding the Silence on Menopause” is an important message, and we’d love for you to join this important screening and discussion.