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Dr Nicole Shortt, ND - Integrative Fertility and Hormonal Health

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Vernon, BC
Dr Nicole Shortt, ND - Integrative Fertility and Hormonal Health

My passion is educating women about their bodies. I specialize in fertility and hormone support.

I am passionate about naturopathic medicine and the choices it gives people in healthcare. So many women experience fertility struggles, PMS, painful periods, hormonal imbalances, PCOS, thyroid issues, and struggle with extreme stress. I am here to help bring clarity to confusion and guide you on your journey to optimal health. Visit https://linktr.ee/drnicoleshortt to see the services I offer, educational resources, and to learn more about my practice.

11/21/2025

Many people think fertility support starts when you’re “ready to try” but your body actually begins preparing months in advance.

Women are born with all their eggs, but each egg goes through an approximate 90–120 day maturation window before ovulation. The egg selected for ovulation starts its final development phase roughly 3 months before it’s released.

The months ahead is a critical time for:
🥗 Nutrition that supports egg health
🌿 Hormone and cycle balance
😌 Stress reduction and sleep optimization
🚫 Reducing exposure to toxins

At Balance Natural Health Clinic, I help women use this time intentionally to give their bodies the best possible start for conception and a healthy pregnancy.

Even small changes now can make a big difference later because fertility is all about creating a strong, balanced foundation.

If you’re interested in preconception care, reach out and book your initial consultation. I would love to support you on this journey. 🌱

11/19/2025

Perimenopause isn’t something you suddenly “enter.” It’s something you gradually grow into and your body has been whispering the signs long before anyone tells you to pay attention.

For many women, it starts in your late 30s or early 40s with changes you can’t quite put your finger on:
• Your energy doesn’t feel predictable
• Your sleep isn’t as restorative
• Your mood feels more sensitive
• Your cycle feels heavier, shorter, or more intense
• Stress hits differently than it used to

These shifts don’t mean you’re aging poorly.
They don’t mean your body is failing you.
They mean your hormones are beginning a transition, not a decline.

Here’s what most women AREN’T told:

🌱Your body is still adaptable
Perimenopause is a phase where your physiology is trying to find a new rhythm. With the right support, you can feel grounded, clear, and strong instead of chaotic or “out of control.”

🌱You’re not supposed to suffer through these changes
Mood swings, PMS intensification, and sleep issues are common but not “normal.” They’re signs your body needs more support, not signs you’re doing anything wrong.

🌱You are allowed to advocate for yourself
You can have normal labs and still not feel normal. Symptoms are data and they really matter.

🌱There are natural, evidence-informed ways to support this transition
From regulating stress physiology, to supporting healthy ovulation, to improving nutrient status, to balancing bleeding patterns, you have options beyond “wait it out.”

Perimenopause is not the beginning of the end.
It’s the beginning of a new hormonal era which is one you can enter with clarity, confidence, and support.

If you’ve been feeling “off,” overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, you’re not alone and you don’t have to navigate this phase blind. I’m here to help you understand your body, trust its signals, and move through this next chapter with strength and ease.

11/18/2025

Your period isn’t just a “monthly thing to deal with.”

It’s one of the clearest windows into your hormonal, metabolic, and stress health. It also responds quickly when something shifts.

Here’s what I want you to remember ⤵️
• Irregular or missing periods often reflect stress or disrupted ovulation
• Heavy flow or clotting may point to hormone imbalances
• Painful cycles can be linked to inflammation or nutrient depletion
• Thyroid changes frequently show up in your cycle long before other symptoms

These patterns don’t diagnose anything on their own…
but they do give us clues.

Clues we can test, support, and work with.

If your cycle has changed recently, or if something just feels “off”, you’re not imagining it.

Your body is communicating and it’s my job to help you interpret the message.

If you’re ready to understand your cycle on a deeper level, hop over to the link in my bio and book an appointment. Let’s get you the answers you deserve.

Vernon BC | Naturopathic Doctor | Menstrual Health | Periods | Women’s Natural Wellness

11/13/2025

If your patience is wearing thin, your sleep feels off, or your menstrual cycle has become unpredictable, your stress hormones may be running the show.

When cortisol stays elevated for too long, it can interfere with progesterone production and slow thyroid metabolism.

The result = feeling tired yet wired, emotionally reactive, and physiologically “stuck” in go-mode.

The goal isn’t to remove stress because that’s nearly impossible. The goal is actually to help your body recover from stress better.

Supporting your nervous system, nourishing your body with balanced meals, and creating daily moments of regulation can help restore hormonal balance.

If you feel trapped in survival mode, we can work together to reset your stress response and rebuild hormonal resilience from the ground up.

How does your body feel today? 👇

11/07/2025

Menopause isn’t just about hormones changing (and even then, estrogen is just one of the hormonal factors at play!).

Menopause really is a whole-body transition.

As a naturopathic doctor, my goal is to help you move through this season of life feeling balanced, resilient, and informed. We’ll look at your hormones, thyroid, adrenals, and nutrition to understand what your body needs right now.

Together, we create a personalized plan that may include nutrition and lifestyle support, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal remedies, stress management, or hormone therapy when appropriate.

My focus is helping you feel comfortable in your body again and confident about this next chapter.

I have space in my calendar for new clients, so if you’d like to get a jump start on feeling better before the holidays, now is a great time to reach out!

You can find me at in Vernon, BC.

11/03/2025

Your extended health benefits are about to reset!

If you’ve been thinking about getting support for your health,whether it’s hormones, energy, digestion, or stress, now is the time to book before your coverage runs out!

At in Vernon, BC, I offer:

• Naturopathic medicine consultations
• Acupuncture
• Laboratory testing & hormone assessments
• Nutritional and lifestyle support

My areas of focus include:
🌿 Women’s health & hormones
🌿 Fertility & pregnancy support
🌿 Thyroid
🌿 Stress, sleep, and energy
🌿 Perimenopause & menopause transitions

Use your benefits before December 31st and start the new year feeling supported and balanced.

Book your initial consultation or follow-up through the link in bio or by calling the clinic directly (250) 545-0103.

10/31/2025

When it comes to sleep quality, timing your meals can make a real difference. Research suggests that eating your main meal about 4–6 hours before bed supports more restful sleep.

Eating a large, carbohydrate-rich meal too close to bedtime can lead to blood sugar fluctuations and a temporary rise in body temperature - both of which can interfere with falling and staying asleep.

That said, for some people, a small, balanced evening snack can actually help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent those middle-of-the-night wakeups. The key is keeping it light and nutrient-dense.

One of my personal favorites is a small handful of pumpkin seeds before bed. They provide a gentle source of protein, healthy fats, and magnesium, which can help regulate blood sugar and support relaxation without feeling heavy on your digestion.

Sleep is such a foundational part of overall wellbeing, and supporting it effectively for your body and lifestyle requires a personalized approach.

I’m currently accepting new patients at my clinic .

If you’d like a tailored plan to improve your sleep and optimize your health before the holidays, you can book an initial consultation with me today through the link in my bio.

10/27/2025

“I just don’t feel like myself.”

“Things I used to handle easily now make me anxious and irritable.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

The menopause transition is a significant period in a woman’s life - one that comes with an increased risk of mood disorders.

Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, along with very low levels of estradiol and progesterone, can have a profound impact on the central nervous system. These neuroendocrine changes can disrupt the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain, contributing to symptoms like hot flashes, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Women in midlife are particularly vulnerable to mood changes not only because of hormonal shifts, but also due to a combination of social, emotional, and lifestyle factors.

I love this graphic because it captures just how complex the root causes of these changes truly are.

Hormone therapy can be incredibly helpful but it’s not the only piece of the puzzle.

Supporting women in midlife means addressing the whole person: hormones, nutrition, stress, sleep, mental health, and lifestyle.

For comprehensive, whole-person health guidance during midlife, follow along here, subscribe to my newsletter, or book an appointment (link in bio or DM for more information).

Image inspired by Fidecicchi et al., Maturitas, 2024.

10/23/2025

Burnout, brain fog, and low energy are common but often overlooked signs that your nervous system may need support.

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I take a whole-body approach to helping you restore balance and resilience.

Acupuncture is one of the tools I use to encourage deep rest, regulate the nervous system, and support adrenal function.

When combined with individualized naturopathic recommendations such as nutrition, lifestyle strategies, and targeted supplements, acupuncture becomes part of a comprehensive plan to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and help you feel grounded again.

I am currently accepting new patients, so if you are feeling overwhelmed, sluggish, or burnt out, booking an initial consultation with me at Balance Natural Health Clinic in Vernon, BC could be your first step toward a sustainable, whole-body reset.

Click the link in my bio to book in. Now is a great time to focus on your health before the holidays!

10/17/2025

So many couples I work with feel like they’re stuck in limbo right now - waiting in that middle-of-the-road place where they don’t know if they can afford IVF or not.

They want to move forward with their lives and their families, but they’re waiting with fingers crossed for help with a medical condition. (*Insert rant about how infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss are medical conditions that people in Canada still have to pay to treat privately - but I digress!)

But here’s the thing - you don’t have to just wait and do nothing.

There are several things you can do to optimize your health and fertility while you wait

1. Nourish yourself.
Eat regularly and keep your meals balanced with adequate protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Eat plenty of vegetables and follow a Mediterranean-style diet.

2. Address any inflammatory conditions.
Chronic inflammation can impact egg and s***m quality. Make sure any conditions like IBD, IBS, asthma, arthritis, or skin issues are being managed as best as possible using the approach that feels aligned for you.

3. Get adequate sleep.
Aim for 7–9 hours per night (ideally at least 8 hours for women).

4. Build your stress management toolkit.
This isn’t about someone telling you to “just relax.” Managing stress is a skill we all need to practice continuously. Our world is busy and overwhelming, so make sure you have tools to regulate your nervous system and recognize when you’re stressed (and how to pull yourself back).

5. Move your body regularly in ways that are safe and supportive for you.

6. Support your microbiome.
Eat fermented foods and consider probiotics when appropriate. Speak with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

7. Support egg and s***m quality.
Use supplements tailored to your unique needs.

If you want additional support for your body and mind during this time, I’m currently accepting new patients. Head to the link in my bio to book a consultation to get started.

10/14/2025

Did you know that your thyroid, adrenal glands, and s*x hormones function as an interconnected system?

When stress suppresses thyroid activity, symptoms such as worsened PMS or perimenopausal discomfort may appear.

Stress can also interfere with ovulation which lowers progesterone and can worsen hormone related symptoms.

Naturopathic medicine treats the whole system rather than isolated symptoms. This comprehensive approach helps identify root causes, improves hormone balance, and promotes lasting wellness.

If you’re experiencing hormone-related symptoms, a full system assessment can provide clarity and a tailored treatment plan.

Reach out to schedule a consultation to create a health plan just for you.

I am currently accepting new patients in Vernon, BC at my clinic

Address

3105 36th Avenue
Vernon, BC
V1T2V7

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.balancenaturalhealthclinic.ca/

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