Dr Nicole Shortt, ND - Integrative Fertility and Hormonal Health

Dr Nicole Shortt, ND - Integrative Fertility and Hormonal Health My passion is educating women about their bodies. I specialize in fertility and hormone support.

I am passionate about naturopathic medicine and the choices it gives people in healthcare. So many women experience fertility struggles, PMS, painful periods, hormonal imbalances, PCOS, thyroid issues, and struggle with extreme stress. I am here to help bring clarity to confusion and guide you on your journey to optimal health. Visit https://linktr.ee/drnicoleshortt to see the services I offer, educational resources, and to learn more about my practice.

Fertility support is often quieter than we expect.In practice, I don’t see fertility improve very often from doing MORE....
01/29/2026

Fertility support is often quieter than we expect.

In practice, I don’t see fertility improve very often from doing MORE.

Rather I see it improve when the body feels safe enough to do what it already knows how to do.

👉Eating enough to support hormones.
👉Keeping blood sugar steady so the body isn’t in survival mode.
👉Gentle, consistent movement instead of punishment.
👉Sleep that actually allows for repair.
👉Stress regulation that signals you’re not under threat.

None of this is flashy but it IS foundational. And for many people, it’s the missing piece beneath the supplements, tracking, and timelines.

Save this post if you need a reminder that “simple” doesn’t mean ineffective.

This menopause and perimenopause conversation has been showing up everywhere lately and I am so grateful.For a long time...
01/26/2026

This menopause and perimenopause conversation has been showing up everywhere lately and I am so grateful.

For a long time, these stages of hormonal change were barely talked about, misunderstood, or brushed off.

Now we’re finally naming them, learning about them, and realizing we’re not alone in the experience.

More conversation means less fear.
More knowledge means more choice.
And feeling informed helps us move through these transitions with confidence instead of confusion.

We’re not meant to navigate this in isolation. We do better when we have trustworthy care providers, honest information, and friends who are willing to have the real conversations. You know…the nuanced ones, the awkward ones, and the validating ones.

Share this with someone you’re having these conversations with!

What’s one thing you wish you’d learned sooner? Let me know in the comments 👇

The thyroid is one of the most important glands in the body, playing a key role in metabolism, energy, mood, menstrual h...
01/21/2026

The thyroid is one of the most important glands in the body, playing a key role in metabolism, energy, mood, menstrual health, digestion, cardiovascular function, body temperature regulation, and hair, skin, and nail health.

When thyroid hormones are out of balance, it can affect how you feel both physically and mentally.

If you suspect thyroid dysfunction, it is important NOT to self-diagnose.

Testing may include TSH, Free T4, and in some cases Free T3 and thyroid antibodies if autoimmune thyroid disease is suspected.

The best care comes from pairing lab results with your symptoms, medical history, stress levels, nutrient status, and overall health picture.

If you are experiencing ongoing fatigue, unexplained weight changes, digestive changes, menstrual irregularities, fertility struggles, hair or skin changes, or shifts in mood and cognition, thyroid health may be part of the picture.

This is your friendly reminder to advocate for your health, listen to your body, and work with someone who takes your symptoms seriously.

Support is available, and with the right assessment and plan, many people feel significantly better.

If you’d like to book an appointment for yourself, click the link in my bio and schedule an initial consultation.

You tell yourself you’re just busy.You’ll rest later.Things will calm down soon.You expect the overwhelm.You brace for t...
01/15/2026

You tell yourself you’re just busy.
You’ll rest later.
Things will calm down soon.

You expect the overwhelm.
You brace for the mood shift before your cycle.
You function on broken sleep and call it normal.
You push through the fog.
You stay a little numb because feeling everything feels like too much.

You’re still showing up, so it must be fine (It’s FINE)
But “fine” has started to feel heavy.

Trust me when I say that you’re not failing.
Your body and nervous system are simply asking for support and they deserve to be listened to.

If you read this and thought “oh wow… this is me,” that’s often where change begins. (Good news!)

If you’re ready to stop pushing through and start understanding what your body is communicating, you can book an initial consultation with me or your Naturopathic Doctor. We’ll look at the full picture including hormones, mental health, stress, sleep, and make a plan that actually fits your totally busy, often overwhelming, non-linear life.

💾 Save this post if this all felt all too familiar and come back to it when you’re ready to take that next step.

Symptoms don’t just “show up out of nowhere.”Your body has likely been communicating for a while but most of us are simp...
01/12/2026

Symptoms don’t just “show up out of nowhere.”

Your body has likely been communicating for a while but most of us are simply too busy, stressed, or exhausted to notice.

If you’ve been dealing with things like persistent bloating, PMS that throws you off your game, fatigue that doesn’t feel quite right, skin changes, mood shifts, or feeling puffy for no obvious reason, these are signals. And they’re not something you simply have to tolerate.

Once we understand what your body is trying to communicate, we can support it with individualized, natural strategies. Sometimes that means supporting detoxification pathways, reducing inflammation, improving sleep and stress resilience, supporting hormonal balance, or addressing nutrient deficiencies.
Your symptoms are important information.

If you’re ready for clarity, support, and a plan that considers your whole body as well as your life context, I invite you to book an Initial Consult. Let’s figure out what your body needs and help you feel like yourself again.

Click the link in my bio to book your appointment.

There are times during the menopausal journey when working together with your family physician, gynecologist, or special...
01/08/2026

There are times during the menopausal journey when working together with your family physician, gynecologist, or specialist is essential.

Referral or shared care may be appropriate if there is unexplained abnormal bleeding, suspected thyroid dysfunction, concern for anemia, significantly worsening mood changes, concerning weight loss, new cardiovascular risk concerns, or when prescription-based treatment such as menopausal hormone therapy may be indicated.

Collaborative care is not about passing someone on. It is about ensuring the right investigations, medical treatment when needed, and supportive integrative care work together. The goal is always safety first, informed decision making, and comprehensive support.

Menopause can be difficult and confusing and you deserve care that looks at the whole picture while also recognizing when medical evaluation is necessary.

If you are navigating this stage of life and want thoughtful, evidence-informed support alongside appropriate medical care when needed, I am here to help.

Being told “everything looks normal” while you’re still not conceiving can feel devastating and dismissive.“Unexplained ...
01/05/2026

Being told “everything looks normal” while you’re still not conceiving can feel devastating and dismissive.

“Unexplained infertility” simply means that standard testing did not identify a clear medical cause.

It does not mean
• your symptoms aren’t real
• your experience doesn’t matter
• nothing is influencing fertility

Areas often not deeply evaluated in standard workups include
• inflammation + immune health
• subtle thyroid dysfunction
• nutrient deficiencies
• chronic stress + cortisol rhythms
• egg + s***m quality considerations
• metabolic health
• gut + microbiome influences
• perimenopausal transition in late 30s/40s

A holistic lens doesn’t guarantee outcomes, but it does create opportunity for understanding, support, and meaningful change.

If you’ve been told that you have ‘unexplained infertility’, please feel free to reach out. I would be honoured to support you through this journey.

Protein is one of the most powerful nutrition tools for women with PCOS, especially if you’re dealing with insulin resis...
01/05/2026

Protein is one of the most powerful nutrition tools for women with PCOS, especially if you’re dealing with insulin resistance, blood sugar swings, cravings, weight changes, or fatigue.

When insulin levels stay more stable, hormones tend to feel more stable too. Protein plays a big role in that.

So, how much protein do women with PCOS need?

Most do well aiming for about 1.2–1.6 g/kg per day, which often lands around 90–130g daily, depending on body size, goals, and activity level.

A simple place to start → aim for 20–30g of protein per meal.
This can help
• balance blood sugar
• improve insulin sensitivity
• reduce cravings + energy crashes
• support metabolism
• maintain lean muscle

PCOS tip: pair protein + fiber + healthy fats to help stabilize blood sugar and support hormone health.

Your body isn’t “working against you” but it does require the right support.

If you’re navigating PCOS, insulin resistance, irregular cycles, carb cravings, or inflammation, I’d love to help you build an individualized, evidence-informed plan that works in real life.

Whether you have PCOS or not, do you struggle getting protein in every day? Let me know in the comment below! 👇

As we enter the new year, it can be helpful to shift the focus from drastic resolutions to supporting core physiology in...
01/01/2026

As we enter the new year, it can be helpful to shift the focus from drastic resolutions to supporting core physiology in simple, consistent ways.

In clinical practice, the greatest improvements often come from strengthening the foundations: adequate and regular sleep, balanced nutrition that supports blood sugar regulation, appropriate movement, stress modulation, and meaningful connection. These factors influence hormonal signaling, metabolic health, immune function, and overall wellbeing.

You don’t need perfection to make progress. Small, sustainable changes add up, and your body is designed to respond to supportive inputs over time.

Wishing you a year of steadiness, self-compassion, and evidence-informed choices that help you feel well in your day-to-day life.

There has been an increase in doctors ordering the wrong Vitamin D test, according to new research being presented at th...
12/26/2025

There has been an increase in doctors ordering the wrong Vitamin D test, according to new research being presented at the College of American Pathologists 2025 meeting.

There are two main Vitamin D tests available:
1️⃣25-hydroxy (25-OH) Vitamin D
This is the most common and the most useful test. It measures your Vitamin D stores and helps determine whether you are deficient.

2️⃣1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D
This test is reserved for very specific situations such as hypercalcemia, granulomatous diseases, chronic kidney failure, or hyperparathyroidism.

If you want to know whether you are truly deficient in Vitamin D, the 25-hydroxy (25-OH) test is the one you need. The 1,25-dihydroxy levels are regulated by the parathyroid gland and do not reflect your nutritional status.

The more you know.🤓

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and holiday season filled with rest, warmth, and moments that nourish your mind, body, an...
12/24/2025

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and holiday season filled with rest, warmth, and moments that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

I am so grateful for this community and excited to support your health in the new year.

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3105 36th Avenue
Vernon, BC
V1T2V7

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
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