Women’s Health

Did you know there are more than ten types of contraception options, and then there are different options in many of those different types? How is someone supposed to navigate what the best option for them is? Dr. Forstbauer is here to help you navigate the options and discuss the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision about what is going to be the best solution for you in the short term AND long term to support your overall health while keeping future fertility in mind.

What about when conceiving isn’t as easy as we expect it to be? If you have been trying to conceive for more than 6-12 months then there are deeper investigations that we can do to try to understand why! Dr. Forstbauer has had a heart for this population from a young age. She grew up in a very fertile family (she’s one of 12 children!), but since she was a child she was aware that there were fertility challenges facing our current world. Her internal dialogue when asked how many children she wanted to have when she was older was “what if I can’t have kids?” This contributed to her commitment to understanding the female hormone cycle and the things that can be contributing to this challenge. 

Did you know that perimenopause can last for up to 10 years before menopause onset? Menopause is defined as one year after your last menstrual period. This means some women will start to experience symptoms of their changing hormones as early as thier late 30s! We are dedicated to helping you thrive and minimize your perimenopausal symptoms and support your transition into menopause. Beyond the hormonal changes we also discuss cardiovascular, metabolic, bone health, nutrient status and more that is important to support you to be at your best through this transition and beyond! Both Dr. Lewis and Dr. Forstbauer are equipped to help support you through the transition!

There is no one cause of PCOS, and as such there is no one treatment program! Genetics play a role, but so does diet, lifestyle, gut health and environmental exposures. The birth control pill is NOT a treatment for PCOS, it merely masks the symptoms and gives you a regular pill bleed (it is NOT regulating your hormones). Some of the best researched treatment options for PCOS are natural! Here at Seek Optimal Wellbeing, we like to look at what is going on in the body through blood work so we can pinpoint what is contributing, and what our best course of action is. Both Dr. Lewis and Dr. Forstbauer are equipped to help support you figure out your best path forward to seek your optimal wellbeing. 

Up to 75% of menstruating women experience PMS, it may be touted as “normal” but it is not optimal and there are ways to bring your body into balance. Possible symptoms include mood changes, headaches, bloating, bowel changes, breast tenderness, acne and more. Symptoms may be present for 1 or 2 days or 1-2 weeks prior to menstruation. You don’t have to experience this! And birth control is not the only option. There are many natural remedies that can help support you. Both Dr. Lewis and Dr. Forstbauer are equipped to help support you in feeling good throughout your whole cycle!

We are set up to offer PAP exams as well as the new HPV screening through BC cancer. If you are due for a screening, book in for a Pelvic Health appointment with Dr. Forstbauer to discuss which option is right for you. New patients welcome!

*By booking this appointment and doing the screening through Dr. Forstbauer you agree to follow-up with her in the event of abnormal results.