Dr. Emily Bennett, Naturopathic Doctor

05/06/2026

In 2014, my first year of practice, a woman came in with a self-diagnosis of PMDD. She was struggling significantly with her mental health, energy, and physical discomfort in her luteal phase. As a result, her relationship with her husband was strained and she was not able to hold a steady job.

Although I vaguely remembered PMDD as a ‘worse form of PMS’ from one lecture in naturopathic medical school, I felt wholly shocked to see how much it was impacting her quality of life. It was so obvious that what was going on NOT just PMS, but something much more severe.

Together she and I dove into both the research, community groups and resources available through organizations like IAPMD to help her get her life back. Through stress management practices, lifestyle and nutrition shifts, and advocating for pharmaceutical care from her family doctor, she was able to find balance that she never expected to access again.

Since then I have supported 100s of patients with PMDD and I know her experience wasn’t a one-off.

It’s possible to get your life back, even with a PMDD diagnosis.

Reach out if you’re looking for support -

04/30/2026

Making it into a nice patch of woods sometime in early spring has been a tradition of mine for like a very long time now! We’re talk almost two decades?!

There are so many spring ephemerals, flowers on the forest floor that bloom before the leaves are out on the trees that feel like old friends I only get to see once a year.

To miss them almost feels like a tragedy.

I’m on a bit of a mission on these spring walks, with my eyes cast down and searching. When I see one I name it in my head.

“Sharp lobed hepatica.”
“Trout lily.”
“Blue cohosh.”
“Spring beauty.”

Seeing them and naming them brings me a special kind of quiet pleasure and comfort I would be really disappointed to miss out on.

04/28/2026

The thing about being on the verge of burnout is that your brain, operating in the state of stressed-out urgency that tends to accompany this moment will suggest that the reason you’re feeling so bad is because of all the things you’re not doing well enough. Exercise! Protein! Meditation!

And while it may be that any one of the suggestions your well-meaning mind offers could be beneficial to you over the long run, the last thing you need when burnout is beckoning is more added to your plate.

Hold off burnout for another week by imagining that your time/energy are finite resources. Can you redistribute them in such a way that you meet your needs without making your workload higher?

Spend a moment thinking about it before you dive into yet another task. And if you need help along the way, I got you >>

04/16/2026

Newer data shows that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is significantly more common in people with PCOS with a prevalence around 37% vs 6% in non-PCOS controls.

That’s not a small difference! I’m going to call it a clinical blind spot.

Here’s what’s changing in how we should think about it:

〰️ Screening should be based on symptoms like snoring + unrefreshing sleep, daytime fatigue, or sleepiness

〰️ It gets tricky though because symptoms alone don’t capture the whole picture, e.g.
>> ~18% of high-risk patients report no sleepiness
>> ~32% report only one symptom, which can be easy to miss

So if we’re only screening for “obvious” cases, we’re probably missing people.

And when it comes to treatment?
* CPAP shows improvements in insulin sensitivity (especially with >4 hours/night use)
* It can lower sympathetic tone, blood pressure, and norepinephrine
* Women may experience greater improvements in anxiety and depression vs men

It’s interesting clinically because there are aspects of the common PCOS symptom profile that don’t necessarily fit in with the hormonal differences.

Maybe -
💤 Sleep apnea is one of the missing links between PCOS, insulin resistance, fatigue, and mental health symptoms.
💤 And because most “adult” data is in people aged 18–37, this is showing up earlier than we typically screen.

The take home: If you have PCOS and are tired, dealing with brain fog, or not responding to treatment as expected, think about advocating for a sleep study!

04/08/2026

Don’t wait until it’s too late! 🦴💪
Perimenopause is the critical time to protect your bones, stay strong, and prevent fractures. Small changes now = big impact later.

How to prevent osteoporosis before it starts

04/06/2026

Many people attempt to “fix” burnout by improving their routines, optimizing their health habits, or taking short breaks. While these strategies may offer temporary relief, they often fail to address the underlying drivers of burnout.

This article outlines a clinically grounded, evidence-informed perspective on burnout recovery, including what it looks like, how long it takes, and which interventions are most effective.

Burnout recovery takes more than rest or better routines. Learn what we really mean when we talk about burnout, how long recovery takes, and the most effective, evidence-informed strategies to restore energy and prevent relapse.

04/03/2026

Iron deficiency is common and comes with an often underrecognized set of problems that quietly steals you energy, impacts mood stability, and overaell quality of life.

This article walks through what low iron and anemia look like, how they’re tested and treated, and practical, evidence-informed steps people, especially women and those of us navigating hormonal changes, heavy periods, pregnancy, or stress, can take to restore their iron and reclaim vitality.

Iron deficiency is common and comes with an often underrecognized set of problems that quietly steals energy, mood stability, and quality of life. This article walks through what low iron and anemia look like, how they’re tested and treated, and practical, evidence-informed steps people, especiall...

04/01/2026

Managing menopause often involves a combination of medical treatments, lifestyle changes, and integrative therapies that support people through the physical, emotional, and social transitions of midlife. Many individuals are looking for relief from hot flashes, better sleep, stronger bones, and improved mood, while also wanting options that align with their personal values, health risks, and long-term goals. This guide outlines practical, research-based strategies and natural supports to help clinicians and patients work together to build individualized plans for symptom relief and long-term health.

Menopause management strategies span medical treatments, lifestyle changes, and integrative therapies that together help individuals navigate the physical, emotional, and social shifts that occur during midlife. Many people want relief from hot flashes, better sleep, stronger bones, and improved moo...

03/30/2026

For people living with both PMDD and ADHD, it can feel like navigating two powerful forces at once: the cyclical emotional shifts of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and the ongoing challenges with attention, impulsivity, and focus associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. When these conditions occur together, their symptoms can intensify one another, often complicating diagnosis and treatment. This article explores what’s happening biologically, how to recognize where these conditions overlap or differ, and evidence-based medical and naturopathic strategies that can help restore stability and support day-to-day functioning.

Exact prevalence numbers vary, but clinical observations and emerging research show that ADHD and menstrual-related mood disorders overlap more often than expected by chance. Many clinicians find a higher-than-expected rate of ADHD symptoms among patients with PMDD or severe premenstrual exacerbatio...

03/27/2026

Exercise for PMDD relief is one of the simplest, most empowering strategies people can use to reduce emotional intensity, physical discomfort, and cognitive fog that often arrive in the luteal phase. For many, an intentional movement routine tailored to symptom patterns and life demands, becomes a cornerstone of a holistic plan that includes diet, sleep, stress management, and targeted naturopathic care.

Exercise for PMDD relief is one of the simplest, most empowering strategies people can use to reduce emotional intensity, physical discomfort, and cognitive fog that often arrive in the luteal phase. For many, an intentional movement routine tailored to symptom patterns and life demands, becomes a c...

03/25/2026

For people with polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS), small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference in symptoms, metabolic health, and overall well-being. These evidence-informed lifestyle strategies including realistic nutrition, targeted movement, stress management, and sleep hygiene, combined with personalized support from a trusted practitioner, can help you feel better and achieve the results you want.

Small, consistent changes can make a profound difference in symptoms, metabolic health, and overall well-being for someone living with polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS). Sure, we’re not talking overnight fixes, but these effective and practical lifestyle changes blends realistic nutrition choices, ...

03/23/2026

Polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 8–15% of people of reproductive age, yet many go years without a diagnosis because the symptoms can be subtle or easily mistaken for other conditions. This article explores how PCOS often shows up in daily life, explains why these symptoms occur, and outlines practical, evidence-informed strategies for feeling better using both conventional and naturopathic approaches.

Polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 8–15% of people of reproductive age, yet it often goes undiagnosed for years because its signs can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions. In this article, we’ll break down what PCOS looks like in daily life, why those symptoms happen, an...