Juniper Family Health

Juniper Family Health Juniper Family Health is a premier naturopathic medical clinic in the heart of Victoria, BC.

Our physicians are experts in the field of integrative family medicine, and are trained to combine natural treatments with standard medical diagnosis and prescriptive medications. We provide patient-centered, holistic care, and strive to find the root cause of your health concerns. Your health is our top priority, and our doctors value working in collaboration with your entire healthcare team. Alo

ng with naturopathic medicine, Juniper Family Health offers chiropractic care, acupuncture, and holistic nutrition to complement the clinic's model of integrative healthcare. Clinic Owners:

Dr. Carla Cashin, ND
https://www.facebook.com/DrCarlaCashinND/

Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen, ND
https://www.facebook.com/DrVanD
https://twitter.com/drvand
http://www.drmeghanvandrimmelen.com/

💚 Join us in raising awareness for Canadian Fertility Awareness Week (CFAW) 2026!This year’s theme, Fertility Unlocked.F...
04/20/2026

💚 Join us in raising awareness for Canadian Fertility Awareness Week (CFAW) 2026!

This year’s theme, Fertility Unlocked.

Fertility Unlocked is a call to action.�To unlock access to care.�To unlock education and awareness.�To unlock policies that support every path to family building.

It’s about turning closed doors into open ones and ensuring that fertility care is understood, supported, and accessible to all.

🇨🇦 We are on a mission to create a Canada that supports all paths to parenthood — equitably, compassionately, and without barriers.

In Canada, green is the official colour of fertility awareness, representing hope, renewal, growth, and resilience.

When monuments light up green, they send a powerful message: You are not alone.

Here’s how you can get involved 💚

🌟 Wear green on Thursday, April 23
🌟 Share your photo and tag
🌟 Use the hashtags:

📲 To learn more about events, resources, and how to get involved, visit: www.fertilityawarenessweek.ca

Menopause care looks different for everyone. 🤍At Juniper Family Health, our naturopathic doctors offer midlife health se...
04/20/2026

Menopause care looks different for everyone. 🤍

At Juniper Family Health, our naturopathic doctors offer midlife health services to support individuals through perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

At every stage, our goal is to address your unique health needs in a caring and compassionate environment. ✨

Let’s start with perimenopause 👇

Perimenopause is a natural transition leading to menopause, characterized by hormonal fluctuations that often begin in the 40s. During this time, individuals may experience changes such as:

* Managing irregular or heavy menstrual cycles
* Pronounced PMS symptoms
* Mood swings
* Sleep disturbances
* Changes in libido
* Fatigue and cognitive changes
* Vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats
* Genitourinary health symptoms such as vaginal dryness, urinary frequency, incontinence and frequent urinary tract infections

💬 If you’re noticing these changes, you’re not alone, and support is available.

💫 If you’re trying to conceive, consider discussing thyroid testing with your healthcare provider if you have:* Difficul...
04/17/2026

💫 If you’re trying to conceive, consider discussing thyroid testing with your healthcare provider if you have:

* Difficulty conceiving
* A history of miscarriage
* Symptoms of hypothyroidism
* Personal or family history of thyroid disease

In general:
* Optimal preconception TSH: below 2.5 mU/L or lab specific first trimester reference range
* Treatment strongly recommended: Overt hypothyroidism, or subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH >4 with antibodies
* Treatment may be considered: TSH 2.5–4 with antibodies, infertility, or miscarriage history

From a Naturopathic perspective, medication is sometimes necessary—and can be very helpful—but thyroid health also involves many lifestyle factors, including:

✅ Adequate iodine, selenium, iron, zinc and vitamin D intake
✅ Stress and adrenal balance
✅ Metabolic health

A comprehensive approach can support both thyroid function and reproductive health. 💚

When Is Thyroid Medication Recommended? 🤔 The most common treatment for hypothyroidism is Levothyroxine, a synthetic ver...
04/15/2026

When Is Thyroid Medication Recommended? 🤔

The most common treatment for hypothyroidism is Levothyroxine, a synthetic version of thyroid hormone. Guidelines from the American Thyroid Association (2017) and other professional groups suggest the following approach.

🌿 Strongly Recommended

Treatment is generally recommended if:
* With overt hypothyroidism, when TSH is above the reference range and T4 is low
* Subclinical hypothyroidism, when TSH is above 4.0 mU/L AND TPO antibodies are positive

These levels are clearly associated with increased pregnancy risks.

🌿Often Considered

Treatment may be recommended with subclinical hypothyroidism in these situations:
* TSH 2.5–4.0 mU/L and positive TPO antibodies
* TSH above the lab’s pregnancy-specific reference range
* History of infertility or recurrent miscarriage
* Symptoms of hypothyroidism

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine specifically recommends considering treatment for infertile women with subclinical hypothyroidism who have had miscarriages.

🌿When Treatment Is Usually Not Needed

Medication is generally not recommended if:
* TSH is normal
* TPO antibodies are negative
* No fertility or pregnancy concerns are present

However, each case should be individualized.

To learn more about what the research says about miscarriage risk and what happens to thyroid medication during pregnancy, read our new blog post! 🌟

https://juniperfamilyhealth.com/blog/2026/3/19/thyroid-health-fertility-amp-miscarriage-when-should-treatment-start-by-dr-meghan-van-drimmelen-nd

The main screening test for thyroid function is Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) 🧪TSH rises when the thyroid is underac...
04/13/2026

The main screening test for thyroid function is Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) 🧪

TSH rises when the thyroid is underactive, signaling the body to produce more thyroid hormone.

✨ For people not trying to conceive, the “normal” TSH range may extend up to around 4–5 mU/L. But fertility and pregnancy guidelines use a stricter range.

So what does an ideal TSH look like before pregnancy? 👀

According to the British Columbia Ministry of Health provincial thyroid testing guidelines:

✅ Women already being treated for hypothyroidism should aim for a TSH between the lower reference limit and 2.5 mU/L before conception.

This tighter range helps ensure the body has enough thyroid hormone during the earliest stages of pregnancy, when the developing embryo relies on the parent’s thyroid supply. 💚

If you’re trying to conceive, your thyroid health matters more than many people realize. Even subtle thyroid imbalances ...
04/10/2026

If you’re trying to conceive, your thyroid health matters more than many people realize. Even subtle thyroid imbalances can influence ovulation, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes. 🤍

💭 One of the most common questions we hear in practice is: “My TSH is slightly elevated, should I start treatment?”

The answer depends on several factors, including your TSH level, thyroid antibody status, and pregnancy history. This week, we’ll be walking through what current guidelines and research suggest in a clear, patient-friendly way.

To start, let’s dive into why the thyroid matters for fertility. 🌟

Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism, energy, and many reproductive processes. When thyroid hormone levels are too low, a condition called Hypothyroidism, the body may struggle with:

* Ovulation
* Implantation
* Maintaining early pregnancy

Even mild thyroid dysfunction, sometimes called Subclinical Hypothyroidism, has been linked to infertility, miscarriage, and preterm birth in some studies.

Stay tuned as we dive into understanding the Key Thyroid Test: TSH next! 🔍

Understanding your nutrient status can play an important role in preparing your body for conception and supporting a hea...
04/08/2026

Understanding your nutrient status can play an important role in preparing your body for conception and supporting a healthy pregnancy. 💚

As part of our series on key nutrients to test when preparing for pregnancy, we’re highlighting another important nutrient involved in fertility and early pregnancy.

Today, we’re diving into Vitamin D ☀️

Vitamin D is involved in many processes that impact fertility success including the steroidogenesis of s*x hormones (8), follicular development (9), and endometrial receptivity.

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with many reproductive pathologies including PCOS, endometriosis, and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Replete vitamin D can improve menstrual regularity in women with PCOS, and has been shown to improve chemical pregnancy and live birth rates in women undergoing IVF.

Wherever you are in your fertility journey, make sure to ask your naturopathic doctor about nutrient testing. This is a simple blood test, which can be done at a regular laboratory location (ie. Lifelabs). Customizing your nutritional supplements based on your baseline levels, is one step towards building a healthier body for reproductive success! 😊

Understanding your nutrient status can play an important role in preparing your body for conception and supporting a hea...
04/06/2026

Understanding your nutrient status can play an important role in preparing your body for conception and supporting a healthy pregnancy. 💚

As part of our series on key nutrients to test when preparing for pregnancy, we’re highlighting another important nutrient involved in fertility and early pregnancy.

Today, we’re diving into Vitamin B12 🌟

Vitamin B12 is involved in DNA methylation, which is required for normal embryonic gene expression. Synthesis, repair, and methylation of DNA are also crucial for gametogenesis, fertilization and pregnancy.

Deficiencies in vitamin B12 have been associated with neural tube defects along with deficiencies in folic acid. Hypomethylation of DNA due to vitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with a buildup of homocysteine which can lead to oxidative stress and poorer fertility outcomes.

In women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF, higher serum vitamin B12 levels have been associated with higher quality embryos, and a higher probability of live birth rates. ✨

Wherever you are in your fertility journey, make sure to ask your naturopathic doctor about nutrient testing.

Whether you just started to plan for a family, or you have been trying to conceive for some time, working with a license...
04/01/2026

Whether you just started to plan for a family, or you have been trying to conceive for some time, working with a licensed naturopathic doctor can help guide you towards better health, and by doing so may help to improve your fertility outcomes. 💚

When you see a naturopathic doctor for preconception and fertility support, you will be offered a laboratory panel that looks at baseline hormone and nutrient levels.

Reviewing these baseline numbers can help guide supplement recommendations and get you started on the right path.

This week, we’ll be reviewing the top 3 nutrients we recommend testing to support your reproductive health.

🌟 First up: Iron 🌟

Iron requirements during pregnancy increase dramatically as the mother’s blood volume expands and the baby is growing and developing. Iron helps transport oxygen to all areas of the mother’s body, and to the baby, so ensuring that you have optimal iron levels is key for supporting a healthy pregnancy.

Iron may also play a role in improving fertility outcomes, as supplementing with iron, and consuming non heme iron through other sources reduce the risk of anovulatory infertility.

Stay tuned this week as we dive into the next two key nutrients we recommend testing to support your reproductive health. ✨

🌡🤰Determining Your Fertile Window: Basal Body Temperature Tracking (BBTs)Basal body temperature tracking (BBTs) involves...
03/30/2026

🌡🤰Determining Your Fertile Window: Basal Body Temperature Tracking (BBTs)

Basal body temperature tracking (BBTs) involves measuring your body temperature every morning before getting out of bed. Ovulation causes a slight rise in body temperature due to increased progesterone levels. By tracking your BBT over a few months, patterns can emerge to help predict ovulation.

✅ Step 1: Get a basal body temperature thermometer, which is more sensitive and accurate than a regular thermometer. You can purchase a BBT thermometer at your local pharmacy or online.

✅ Step 2: Take your temperature every morning at the same time, before doing any physical activity.

✅ Step 3: Plot your temperatures on a chart and look for a consistent rise in temperature.

✅ Step 4: Ovulation usually occurs on the day before the temperature rise, indicating the end of your fertile window.

✅ Step 5: Your fertile window starts 6 days before the temperature rise.

BBT tracking requires consistency and commitment as it may take a few months to identify the patterns accurately.

Determining your fertile window is key to maximizing your chances of conceiving. Remember, the fertile window lasts for approximately five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.

If you are interested in learning more about your reproductive health, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 778-265-8340 or info@juniperfamilyhealth.com. We are here to help! 🙌

🗓️ Determining Your Fertile Window: Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are a more precise me...
03/27/2026

🗓️ Determining Your Fertile Window: Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)

Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are a more precise method to determine your fertile window. These kits detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs just before ovulation.

✅ Step 1: Purchase an OPK kit from your local pharmacy or online.

✅ Step 2: Start testing your urine with the kit a few days before you expect ovulation to occur.

✅ Step 3: Once the kit detects a surge in LH, it indicates that ovulation is likely to happen within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Using OPKs can help you pinpoint your most fertile days more accurately, increasing your chances of conception.

🤰🗓️ Determining Your Fertile Window: Calendar MethodThe calendar method is the most basic way to determine your fertile ...
03/25/2026

🤰🗓️ Determining Your Fertile Window: Calendar Method

The calendar method is the most basic way to determine your fertile window. It involves tracking your menstrual cycle over a few months to identify patterns and predict when ovulation is likely to occur.

✅ Step 1: Start by recording the length of your menstrual cycles for a few months.�
✅ Step 2: Ovulation usually occurs 14 days before your period. Subtract 14 from the average cycle length to determine the last day of your fertile window.�
✅ Step 3: Because you are fertile for 5 days leading up to ovulation as well as the day of ovulation, subtract 19 from your average cycle length to determine the first day of your fertile window.�
It is important to note that this method provides a rough estimate and may not be accurate for women with irregular cycles.

Stay tuned to learn more about determining your fertile window.

Address

#314 1175 Cook Street
Victoria, BC
V8V4A1

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 7pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 7pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 7pm
Thursday 8:30am - 7pm
Friday 8:30am - 7pm

Telephone

+17782658340

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Juniper Family Health posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category

Our Story

Juniper Family Health is a premier naturopathic medical clinic in the heart of Victoria, BC. Our physicians are experts in the field of integrative family medicine, and are trained to combine natural treatments with standard medical diagnosis and prescriptive medications. We provide patient-centered, holistic care, and strive to find the root cause of your health concerns. Your health is our top priority, and our doctors value working in collaboration with your entire healthcare team. Clinic Owners: Dr. Carla Cashin, ND https://www.facebook.com/DrCarlaCashinND/ Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen, ND https://www.facebook.com/DrVanD https://twitter.com/drvand http://www.drmeghanvandrimmelen.com/