Dr. Erika Schimek, Naturopathic Doctor

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

Are you wondering if your symptoms line up with perimenopause? I've created a simple checklist using guideline-backed research to help you decode how you're feeling. Link in bio!

05/04/2026

Do you need to wait to start vaginal estrogen? No! If you have started having vaginal dryness and ruled out other conditions, this local and low dose therapy is so helpful for women going through perimenopause and menopause.

04/30/2026

can be great.

04/30/2026

Bones, brain, heart, and metabolism - is there anything that strong muscles can't do?
We may love the way toned arms look but let me tell you that the muscle definition you get from resistance training may be your #1 health asset in midlife.

04/27/2026

MHT/HRT can do a LOT, but it isn't magic. Hormone shifts aren't always the reason why you're stressed, having poor sleep, irritable, or in a place in your life you never thought you would be. Sometimes we want to point the finger at hormones and think that treating those will fix everything and I wish that was always the case. While hormonal treatment may give you more energy to face your demons it won't slay them. That part? That’s the brave work only you can start.

04/23/2026

We talk a lot about the physical symptoms of perimenopause, but we don't talk enough about the disorientation of outgrowing your old roles. You are trying to align with your true values while your physiology is changing. If you feel overwhelmed, it’s because you’re doing two "full-time jobs" at once:

1. Managing your body.
2. Reclaiming your soul.

04/20/2026

More than just for the gainz, ladies. Lifting those weights does SO MUCH for our bodies! Bones, heart, strength, metabolism.. and some budding research about brain benefits too. The good news is that you don't have to spend your life at the gym, a few sessions a week will get you the benefits.

04/17/2026

But how much cardio do you actually need? Any movement is good movement, but if you want to make sure you're getting the most evidence-based bang for your buck, here are the guidelines:
1. 150-300 min/week of *moderate* intensity exercise (brisk walking, flat-road biking, tennis, mowing the lawn..); or
2. 75-150 min/week of *vigorous* intensity exercise (jogging, fast biking, hiking uphill, aerobics class, competitive sport, stairclimber at a run)
With those in place, you're giving yourself a cardiovascular insurance policy to help keep you young at heart.

04/16/2026

The one thing I tell all my patients to fix their perimenopausal weight gain? Jokes on us, because we can't do just 'one thing' to change such a complex system. We have to work on nutrition, lifestyle, behaviours, and yes even medical interventions to help at this time.

04/14/2026

When you can’t hack your way out of your fatigue… it’s time to see a professional