US healthcare system, who? That’s what we’re thinking after talking to Roya Pakzad (she/her), the founder and CEO of Feminade. Her company tackles hormone-related problems with holistic approaches and personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.

Here, the born-and-raised Floridian reveals what works for her, where to find holistic remedies at proper doses, and how long it takes to see results.

What exactly is a holistic approach?
A holistic approach in healthcare means looking at the person as an interconnected entity. It’s an approach that seeks to get to the root cause of symptoms by considering multidimensional aspects of wellness: physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual.

What are some holistic approaches you’ve found to be tried-and-true for you?
One of the most effective and primary holistic approaches I incorporate in my life is food as medicine. For example, cutting out dairy, sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol has significantly improved my gut health and digestive tract. There is a strong connection between the gut and the brain, too, so taking care of my gut health has positively impacted my mental health as well.

Stress is another root of all illness, so some approaches that have been effective in lowering it are: breathwork, yoga, meditation, social engagement, and movement/exercise. These activities help lower stress by stimulating the vagus nerve, which is the main nerve responsible for stabilizing the autonomic nervous system and regulating internal organ functions.

What hormone-related issues are often ignored by traditional treatments?
There are many hormonal imbalance symptoms such as heavy/irregular cycles, infertility, stubborn weight, cystic acne, hair loss, low libido, brain fog, menopause, perimenopause, and more. They’re often ignored because they’re masked with band-aid solutions, like the pill. Unfortunately, many conventional doctors tell women that these symptoms are normal.

Where can we buy holistic remedies at proper doses? (Because they’re not FDA regulated, right?)
This is my favorite question! The supplement industry is not regulated. This leaves room for a lot of error, misinformation, and faulty/ineffective supplements. The best approach to supplementing is to work with a licensed medical professional (like a naturopathic doctor, functional medicine doctor, or registered dietitian) to get prescribed proper brands at therapeutic doses that are bioavailable and easily absorbed by the body.

How long should we wait to see if a holistic approach/product is working?
Improving your health holistically is a gradual process, not an overnight change. Typically patients start seeing results in 3-6 months. In some cases, change can happen earlier than that depending on their symptoms, the treatment protocol, and how rigorously the patient follows their treatment plan.