From PMS to menopause, symptoms can run from mood swings, anxiety, and depression to name a few, but the pharmacy team at the Lloydminster Co-op has a plan to bring harmony and alleviate these life challenges.
Pharmacist Jackie Dunham has over 25 years of experience combined with her journey as the local cooperative is launching Harmonique to offer individual support to women which includes supplements and bioidentical hormones, along with advice on diet and exercise.
“What specifically shows up in their lab work is very helpful for me to make determinations on how we can tweak their lifestyle,” says Dunham.
She explains that some people come in and they are already doing all the right things and their hormones are out of balance “so, it’s an easy fix, but for some people – we have to start from square one. We have to start slow – we have to drink more water, eat more protein – add some exercise in.”
“A lot of the metabolic changes that happen as we age can affect the hormones too.”
She says that bioidentical hormones are ones that “are identical to the ones that the body makes. They are synthetically made. They are exact to our hormones. They fit into that receptor perfectly.”
Dunham says she prescribes the bioidentical hormones for hormone replacement as there are fewer side effects, and she can also get bioidentical hormones done locally from the compounding pharmacy in Lloydminster allowing her to adjust the dosage slowly and use a lower dose depending on the women’s symptoms.
Dunham also connects with the client’s doctor to get their medical history. She writes up a treatment plan which is sent to the doctor for approval.
Speaking about her own health story, Dunham battled things like irritable bowel syndrome, hormonal challenges, and amenorrhea. Through research, she says it became a passion to heal herself both naturally and with conventional medicine.
“Hormones work like a symphony when they are all working together.”
More information on Harmonique can be obtained by contacting the Lloydminster Co-op Pharmacy at 780-808-2180.
