LADUE, Mo. — A new free women's health seminar series aims to be a resource to take away some of the taboos surrounding issues like hormone imbalances, aging bones and pregnancy.
5 On Your Side's Annie Krall was at the kick-off event at PALM Health to learn more about why medical advice like this is so crucial for women of any age.
Friday was the first of six free seminars open to the public in Ladue. The others will be on various topics surrounding women's health and run until Nov. 15.
The launch event dealt with a woman's hormone levels and best treatment or diagnostic practices. Hoping women don't feel alone is one of the reasons this seminar series was started.
Medical experts said it can be a cycle of excruciating and isolating effects according to inaugural presenter and PALM Health nurse practitioner Dr. Sarah Bird.
"The symptoms show up as really painful periods that can be very disruptive to people's lives, heavy cycles, maybe not having a period or having infrequent periods, mood changes where they may have imbalances during certain periods of the month or the whole month," Bird said.
From when a girl hits puberty all the way through being perimenopausal, which ranges from a woman's mid-30s to mid-50s, it can be a roller coaster of hormone levels, Bird said.
To try and curb isolation and cultivate community, each of the seminars at 9160 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124. Find the dates for PALM Health Women's Health Seminar Series below:
- 1-2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 - Navigating Fertility: Your Roadmap to Success with Emily Guilfoy, DC, and Katie Champers, PA-C.
- 1-2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 - Reclaim Your Pelvic Health: Breathwork, Core and Pelvic Floor with Ashley Kumar, DPT.
- 1-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 - Perimenopause and Menopause: Understanding the Signs and Managing the Symptoms with Katie Hohn, MD.
- 1-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 - Aging Bones and Brains: Effects of Testosterone and Estrogen with Sita Kedia, MD, and Jane Gelfand, DO.
- 1-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 - Biohacking Your Biological Age: A Woman's Guide to Longevity with Lauren Dal Farra, MD.
Bird's first seminar unpacked hormonal imbalance symptoms like painful periods, mood changes or infertility. One of the most common imbalances is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
About 1 in 10 women nationwide deal with PCOS. Bird said a woman usually needs to see three to four medical providers until a woman is accurately diagnosed.
Hoping to learn more on Friday was 26-year-old attendee Mackenzie Sharp. Originally from rural southern Illinois, she's now a nanny and household manager in Clayton.
Sharp has been working with Bird for the last month to tackle her hormone irregularities and anxiety in conjunction with her cycles. Like many women, Sharp first noticed painful symptoms in high school.
"I think I just dismissed them or rubbed some dirt on it or whatever," Sharp said. "There comes a point where there are so many symptoms where you say something doesn't feel right."
The group also learned about endometriosis. It's a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows in other places in the body. It can grow, bleed and cause pain since it can't easily get out affecting more than 11% of American women ages 15 to 44, according to the Food and Drug Administration. This means endometriosis is a multi-generational issue.
Unsurprisingly, Bird recommends avoiding refined sugar and regular strength training for women during their reproductive and perimenopausal years. It's not necessarily an easy task, especially with kids going back to school.
"I always tell women, 'Yes, your kids are important and you need to focus on them, but you also have to take care of yourself,'" Bird said. "'You have to eat well, you have to exercise, you have to do all the things that help you manage stress.'"
The next seminar is Sept. 13 at PALM Health. Considering endometriosis and PCOS are the two leading causes of infertility, medical experts will navigate fertility problems and spotlight oftentimes unanswered questions to help more hopeful parents find success.
Attending any of these seminars is free but you're asked to register as the weeks progress here to keep track of capacity.