The Most Overlooked Health Issues for Women & Uterus-Bearing People (And What You Can Do)

Written By Dr. Chelsea Dakers ND & Assisted by AI.

There’s a quiet truth in women’s health that many of us come to realize too late: we’ve normalized not feeling well.

Exhaustion becomes “just part of life.” Menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding are expected. Anxiety is a constant tremor that hovers in the background. And irregular or missing cycles? It’s a challenge to even find a healthcare provider who is willing to do a thorough investigation, let alone get an answer.

I want to acknowledge you: your intuition is accurate. That nudge that is telling you that these are signs that your body is asking for more care, not less.

Let’s talk about what often gets overlooked—and what you can do about it.

1. It starts with your story—and your labs.

Before we dive into symptoms, let’s begin where real healing begins: with a deep, comprehensive understanding of your health.

In my practice, this looks like:

• A multi-session intake that explores not just your symptoms but your lived experiences and health history. We uncover an essential timeline of key milestones that paved the way to where you are now.

• Physical exams that consider the whole body, including nervous system function, digestion, thyroid, your breasts and more.

• Comprehensive lab testing—from liver panels to autoimmune profiles, iron markers and kidney function—we get a dynamic picture of what’s happening in your physiology.

This data isn’t diagnostic alone—it’s context. It helps me understand how your internal rhythms have adapted, compensated, or gone off track over time. And it provides the insight to respond with precision.

Because in this space, you’re not just another chart or cycle—you’re a whole human being whose body is asking for support.

2. Hormonal imbalance is real—and often ignored.

We hear a lot about hormones, but too often they’re reduced to buzzwords or supplements. Real hormonal imbalance doesn’t always scream—it often starts with a whisper:

• Afternoon energy crashes 

• Pre-menstrual angst

• Digestion feeling uneasy and unpredictable

• Loss of interest in sex or intimacy

• Waking in the morning unrefreshed

If you’ve ever been told to “wait and see” or “just try birth control,” you’re not alone. But hormonal shifts deserve more than symptom management. They deserve decoding.

If this sounds familiar, try this today: Track how you’re feeling across your next three cycles. Energy, mood, sleep, flow, digestion, cravings. Watch for patterns. It’s a powerful start.

3. Chronic stress isn’t just in your head—it’s in your body & your cycle.

Stress is more dynamic than it ever gets credit for. We hear the word “stress” and we think: overworking, difficult relationships and overall “bad” experiences. Stress physiology is actually extremely helpful. It can launch you into full GTFO mode when you accidentally step into the bike lane with oncoming traffic. But in our modern realities we are often stuck in primal survival states that keep us from reaching our goals.  This “stuck” survival (stress) physiology plays out across your entire body and has profound consequences for your hormonal system, gut, and immune response. Over time, chronic stress can:

• Disrupt ovulation

• Alter thyroid function

• Increase the likelihood of miscarriage

• Promote poor pelvic circulation leading to more pain 

• and so much more…

This isn’t about eliminating stress altogether (because then you would be dead). It’s about building capacity—being present with difficult experience and having the skills to move through to resolution.

Try this:
Start a 2-minute daily awareness practice— This is slowing down to be present with yourself and your environment. Start by feeling the contact you are making with the surface under you. The floor. The chair. Bringing full awareness to the sensation of touch, the experience of being supported. With gentle neck movements, look around you and notice objects, colours and shapes. Really take in your surroundings. A feast for the senses. Notice what happens to your body. A yawn? A sigh? Tension that grips and then lets go? Notice how your physiology is able to regulate simply by bringing awareness. 

4. Cycle pain is not something you have to “tolerate.”

If you’ve been told that painful periods, clots, or extreme pre-menstrual mood changes are just part of being a woman, know this: they’re not.

Cycle symptoms are often messengers:

• They point to pelvic and liver congestion

• They suggest possible blood deficiency

• They may signal underlying conditions like endometriosis, thyroid dysfunction and nervous system dysregulation

In my approach, pain is a clue—not a punishment. Together, let’s decode the language of your body so you can start listening and responding from a place of power.

Start here: Do a menstrual experience deep dive. When does the pain come in relation to your flow? What is the exact sensation and where do you feel that? Get as descriptive as you can. Track how this changes day to day as you bleed.. Discover everything you can about your blood: colour, consistency, clots, odour. This data helps to inform the state of your physiology in your pelvis. 

5. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

The truth is, many people who come into this work aren’t starting from zero. They’ve tried the protocols. Read the books. Bought the supplements. Downloaded the tracker apps.

What’s missing is a relationship—to their body, to the right guidance, and to a care plan that honours the full complexity of their experience.

That’s where this work comes in.

My care containers are built on the belief that when you feel deeply seen, deeply heard, and are fully supported with time-tested frameworks and wise intuition, healing becomes possible.

Whether you’re managing painful or irregular cycles, preparing to conceive, or simply have a feeling that something is out of rhythm—know this:

Your symptoms aren’t random. Your body isn’t broken. And your story matters.

Curious what kind of support might be right for you? Take my 1-minute quiz to discover your personalized hormone healing roadmap.

Learn more at chelseadakers.com or join the conversation on Instagram @chelseacreateshealth.

The disclaimer… The amazing thing about humans is that we all have incomparably unique health profiles and needs. The health-related information contained in this article is intended to be general in nature and should not be used prescriptively or as a substitute for a visit with a naturopathic doctor/health care provider. This information is intended to offer general information to individuals. If you have questions about how these strategies could be used in adjunct to your current health regime, book an appointment with us or consult a registered naturopathic doctor for individualized care.