Dr. Stephanie Peltz, ND

09/18/2025

This is not a judgment—just an invitation to pause.

Because I see this often in practice:

Women navigating fatigue, hormonal shifts, anxiety, fertility struggles, perimenopausal transitions….and somewhere along the way, the pressure to “fix” their bodies sneaks in too.

Weight loss an be a personal choice.

It can be about health (although there is definitely debate on how often this is true).

It can be about autonomy.

But sometimes, it’s about pressure—masked as wellness.

If you’re working on your health and questioning your “why,” that’s not weakness. That’s awareness.

✨ Your body is not a problem to solve.
📌 Save this if you’re untangling the narratives around weight and worth.

09/08/2025

✨ in March Ontario officially switched to HPV testing for cervical screening.

Here’s what’s changed (and what hasn’t):

✔️ Screening now starts at age 25 (if sexually active)
✔️ The HPV test is the new gold standard (replacing Pap tests)
✔️ If results are negative, you only need screening every 5 years
✔️ Screening stops at age 70 if your results have been consistently normal

HPV testing is considered more sensitive than the Pap—meaning it catches HPV infections of known problematic strains, and not just cellular changes.

🛑 No need to screen under age 25. The harms are considered to outweigh the benefits in this age group, even if you’re sexually active.

Did you know about these changes? How are you feeling about them? What questions are you thinking about? Let me know!

📌 Save this post for a reminder of these changes + check in with your ND or MD if you’re due. 💛

08/29/2025

Q: Do I need to be in menopause to start hormone therapy?
Short answer? No.
You don’t need to be in full menopause to consider hormone therapy. Reminder: menopause means there has been no menstrual bleeding for 12 months in a row.
✨ Hormone therapy can be helpful during:
→ Perimenopause (symptoms include hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats)
→ Early menopause
→ Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)—where starting earlier is actually recommended to support long-term health
In many cases, transdermal therapy (like patches or gels) may be preferred over oral forms—especially in earlier stages of the transition.
And while hormone therapy can be life-changing, timing matters.
Current guidelines generally support starting before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset.
🩺 Bottom line: You don’t have to wait until your period disappears to get support.
Let’s talk about what your body is going through now, and whether hormone therapy might be part of your toolkit.
📌 Save this if you’re confused about when to consider MHT—or know someone in the thick of hormonal shifts.

08/22/2025

✨ Trying to conceive? Here’s where I often start with patients—
Before ovulation strips, supplements, or symptom tracking overload... let’s come back to the basics.
These 4 things help create a solid foundation for fertility:
✔️ Prioritize sleep (your hormones regulate overnight)
✔️ Stabilize blood sugar with regular, nutrient-dense meals
✔️ Track your whole cycle—not just ovulation day
✔️ Get baseline labs (think: thyroid, iron, B12, vitamin D)
Your body wants to work with you.

These steps help it feel safe, nourished, and supported along the way.

📌 Save this if you’re starting your TTC journey—or know someone who is. You don’t have to figure it out alone. 💛

08/07/2025

✨ You don’t need to be falling apart to reach out.
Sometimes it’s not a big health crisis—
It’s the subtle things:
➤ A supplement you’re still taking but not sure why
➤ Symptoms creeping back without an obvious cause
➤ Doing “all the right things” and still feeling stuck
➤ The mental tab that says “book that follow-up”... that’s been open for months

This is your gentle reminder:
🩺 You deserve care before things get urgent.
📆 You don’t have to wait until you’ve hit a wall.
📌 Save this for when you need the nudge. And if one of these hit home? Let’s check in—your future self will thank you.

08/01/2025

In my practice, I am regularly talking a lot about iron deficiency—it’s something I screen for often, and for good reason.
Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide, and it can affect so many areas of health:
🩸 Periods
🧠 Focus and attention
😮‍💨 Energy and stamina
👶 Fertility and pregnancy outcomes

If you menstruate, are trying to conceive, or feel constantly tired despite “doing all the things,” it might be worth taking a closer look.

Remember: You’re not lazy, you don’t have to simply white knuckle it — you might just need more support.

07/22/2025

✨ Thinking about cutting back on alcohol?

Whether you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, navigating sleep issues, not tolerating your drinks as you used to, or just rethinking your habits—you’re not alone.

Here are a few gentle strategies that can make the shift feel easier (and even enjoyable):
🥂 Use the fancy glasses
🍹 Try non-alcoholic versions of drinks you love
🌿 Sip herbal teas in the evening
💧 Stay hydrated—seriously, it helps
🗣️ Tell someone your intention

This isn’t about restriction. It’s about creating new rituals that still feel grounding, social, and satisfying.

And the best part? There are more thoughtful, tasty alcohol-free options than ever before.

📌 Save this post if you’re exploring your relationship with alcohol—and want to feel supported, not shamed. 💛

07/17/2025

✨ Comfort with uncertainty.
It’s one of the biggest themes I see in practice—and in my own life! Especially for those trying to get pregnant, stay pregnant, give birth, or parent.
There are no straight lines in this journey.
No guarantees.
No manual to follow page-by-page.
And I say this not just as a practitioner—but as someone who has to consistently work on this, too.
The more I practice accepting that uncertainty is part of the path, the more ease I find in the process.
If this resonates, you’re not alone.
📖 P.S. Comfortable With Uncertainty by Pema Chödrön has been a helpful companion for me when things feel especially wobbly.
💛 Comment “yes” if this has been part of your story too. Let’s normalize the messy middle.

07/03/2025

Let’s talk perfectionism—because it’s rarely about high standards, and more about survival mode disguised as overachieving.
⚡ Fear of falling behind
⚡ Fear of disappointing others
⚡ Fear of not being enough
But here’s the truth:
You don’t need to be perfect to be valuable.
You don’t need to have it all together to move forward.
✨ Gentle effort > flawless ex*****on. Always.
📝 My newsletter tomorrow is all about perfectionism—where it shows up, what it costs us, and how to loosen its grip.
Sign up via the link in my bio to get it straight to your inbox 💛
📌 Save this if perfectionism is quietly running the show. You’re not alone.

06/17/2025

💊 MYTH: All supplements are created equally
🔍 FACT: They vary a lot—in quality, absorbability, potency, and clinical backing
Not all supplements on the shelf are worth your money—or your trust.
Some are evidence-informed, practitioner-formulated, and third-party tested.
Others are...well, mostly filler.
As a naturopathic doctor, I always consider:
✔️ Is this form bioavailable?
✔️ Is the dose therapeutic?
✔️ Is there actual evidence behind it?
✔️ Will it support your body, right now?
✨ The right supplement can be transformative.
But only when it’s high quality—and aligned with your needs.
📌 Save this for your next supplement drawer clean-out.

06/06/2025