What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 7:30pm Thursday 12pm - 7:30pm Friday 11am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4:30pm

Dr. Lara Spector - Naturopathic Doctor, Toronto, ON (2025)

With a decade of experience practicing in the GTA, I help women thrive during the major hormonal transitions of pregnancy, postpartum and peri-menopause. https://www.opencare.com/naturopaths/mississauga-on/lara-spector-24631132729d/

05/02/2025

Perimenopause: how do you know if you’re in it?

If you’re in your late 30s or in your 40s and noticing changes in your cycle, sleep, mood, temperature, or energy—it might not just be stress or “getting older.”
It could be perimenopause.

Perimenopause is the natural transition leading up to menopause (menopause is clinically defined as 1 year with no periods), and perimenopause can start anywhere from 3–10 years before your periods stop completely.

During this time, hormone levels—especially estrogen and progesterone—can be all over the place. 🎢

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Perimenopause is a clinical diagnosis, meaning it’s made based on symptoms such as:

• Irregular or heavier periods
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Increased anxiety
• Mood swings
• Trouble sleeping and fatigue
• Low libido
• Brain fog
• Weight gain

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Labs can be useful, especially when symptoms are affecting your quality of life.

Here are some blood and urine tests I often run with patients:

• FSH, LH, Estradiol, Progesterone, Prolactin – for hormonal fluctuations
• TSH, Free T3, Free T4, anti-TPO, anti-TG – to assess thyroid function (which can mimic perimenopause symptoms)
• CBC, Ferritin, Vitamin D, B12 – especially if fatigue is present
• DUTCH test (urine) – a comprehensive look at cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS + metabolites

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But testing is only part of the picture.
Your symptoms and personal experience matter just as much.

If you’re feeling like something’s shifted and you’re not sure why—you’re not alone.
You deserve support, clarity, and a personalized care plan that includes:

• Nutrition
• Supplements
• Lifestyle support

My goal is for you to feel empowered through this time—not to suffer through it ♥️

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If you’re interested in learning more, I offer:
• Monthly perimenopause talks at
• 1:1 appointments for a full assessment + personalized treatment plan

01/14/2025

🏋️‍♀️Let’s chat exercise! These are the two things I say the most often regarding exercise:

1️⃣ Movement should feel good, not like a chore. But sometimes we get caught up in the “shoulds” of exercise—when what we really need is something that lights us up 💡

For me, that’s running 🏃 , yoga🧘🏻‍♀️ and dancing 💃 - things that bring me joy🥰. The gym just doesn’t do it for me, and that’s OK! Your workout should feel fun and bring you energy, not exhaustion.

2️⃣ Exercise is meant to energize you and support your adrenals, so if you find yourself feeling nauseous 🤢, dizzy 🥴, super tired 😴, or having trouble sleeping after your workouts, it could be a sign it’s time to dial it back. And if you’re constantly dealing with injuries, listen closely—your body is asking for a change.

What type of movement makes YOU feel alive? 😀

01/07/2025

One of the most common things I hear from peri-menopausal women is feeling under-cared for by the conventional medical system. The good news? There’s so much that can be done to support you through this transition. You do NOT need to suffer!

Perimenopause is associated with a lot of hormonal changes.
While the changes of perimenopause can feel overwhelming, understanding them is the first step toward feeling more in control!

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening with your hormones:

🎢Estrogen: Estrogen is about as constant as a rollercoaster during perimenopause. The fluctuations in estrogen can show up as: hot flashes, night sweats, skin changes, memory shifts, brain fog, low libido and mood swings.

💤Progesterone: As ovulation becomes less frequent, progesterone levels drop, which can affect sleep, mood, and cause heavier periods. Progesterone is our calming hormone - we typically get more anxious, especially worse in the second half of our cycles (the luteal phase) when it drops.

💪Testosterone: A decrease can lead to less energy, lower mood, a reduced libido, and muscle loss. I find women who maintain good cortisol levels don’t have as much of a drop in their testosterone through perimenopause.

🍪Insulin: Fluctuating hormones (especially estrogen) can impact insulin sensitivity, which may lead to weight gain, especially around the abdomen. This is why it feels harder to lose weight than before.

😖Cortisol: Peri-menopause can increase cortisol levels, the stress hormone, contributing to anxiety, poor sleep, and fatigue. I also find cortisol issues will exacerbate the other hormonal changes, especially lowering progesterone further and often earlier.

If you’re struggling with these changes, it’s important to know that you have options. No need to struggle!

My approach to perimenopause usually involves: comprehensive diagnostic testing, nutrition support, herbs, lifestyle changes, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

You deserve to feel your best, no matter your stage of life 🌿

Feel free to book a free meet and greet (link in bio) to learn more!

12/23/2024

I know this isn’t the sexiest topic this time of year but for some reason I’ve been seeing A LOT of gallbladder issues lately, maybe with the holidays/fattier foods? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Wondering what the gallbladder does? 🤔

It may be small (see red dot in pic 2), but it plays a big role in digestion, storing and releasing bile to break down fat in the intestines. These are signs your gallbladder needs attention:

⚠️ Bloating or Fullness – Especially after meals, particularly those high in fat.

⚠️ Indigestion or Heartburn – Feeling uncomfortable or heavy after eating? A sluggish gallbladder can make it harder to break down fats, contributing to reflux/indigestion

⚠️ Pain on the Right Side or Between the Shoulder Blades – This common symptom often occurs after eating a rich or fatty meal

⚠️ Nausea or Vomiting – you often feel nauseous, particularly after meals

⚠️ Diarrhea – Sudden, urgent diarrhea, especially after eating fatty foods. This is a common sign of gallbladder issues that shouldn’t be ignored!

⚠️ Changes in Stool Color – Lighter-colored stools or floating stools may indicate bile is not being properly released into your digestive system.

If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, i n v e s t i g a t e what your body is saying. A sluggish or compromised gallbladder can lead to more serious issues like gallstones or inflammation if left unaddressed.

🌿Examples of Natural Gallbladder Supports (once we know what the issue is):
1. Eat Smaller, Balanced Meals – Avoid heavy, greasy foods that can overwhelm your gallbladder.
2. Herbal and Supplement Support – Milk thistle, dandelion, and turmeric are known to support bile production and improve gallbladder function. Bile acids, digestive enzymes and lecithin are also great supplemental supports.
3. Stay Hydrated & Move – Drinking enough water and staying active help keep bile flowing smoothly and supports overall digestion.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, naturopathic medicine can really help! DM me if you have any questions.

Happy Digestion, Happy Holidays 🎄🕎

11/05/2024

🌱Probiotics: A Key to Your Gut Health! 🌱

As a naturopathic doctor, I’m often asked about probiotics—and for good reason! These beneficial bacteria play a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut, which is essential for overall well-being. The key with probiotics is knowing:

⏰When to add them in (i.e if you have SIBO, it may not be a good time to add them in as some probiotic strains exacerbate SIBO symptoms like lactobacillus acidophilus)
🕵️Which type/strain is best for you
🛒Switch up the probiotics (i.e. a new brand) every 3 months so you don’t cause an overgrowth of any strain
🦠 Choose high-quality probiotics with multiple strains and sufficient potency (I recommend these brands often: .supplements )

Now here’s why you should consider adding probiotics to your routine:

✅ Gut Health: A balanced gut microbiome is crucial for digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Probiotics help restore this balance, supporting the growth of good bacteria and keeping harmful ones in check.

✅ Immune Support: Did you know 70% of your immune system resides in your gut? Probiotics help strengthen your immune defenses, making it easier for your body to fend off illness.

✅ Mental Health: A TON of research shows that gut health is linked to brain health 🧠 A healthy microbiome can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, contributing to better mood and cognitive function.

✅ Digestive Wellness: If you’re dealing with bloating, constipation, or other digestive issues, probiotics may offer relief.

✨ Pro Tip: Fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi are also great natural sources! You want to make sure you get them from the refrigerated section of the store.

🌿 Remember, your body is unique, so finding the right probiotic for YOU may take some trial and error. If you have questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out! 💚

Address

Toronto, ON

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 7:30pm
Thursday	12pm - 7:30pm
Friday	11am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14164738980

Website

http://laraspectornd.com/

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