Meet the Authors of A New Cycle: Gabriela Delano-Stephens & Dr. Emily Lipinski
In celebration of the launch of A New Cycle, our period-positive guide to a healthier period, we’re introducing you to the contributors! We hand-picked our favorite women’s health experts to write chapters for A New Cycle on their area of specialty. Read on to get know this week’s featured contributor, or click here get a free preview of the book when you sign up for our newsletter!
Meet Gabriela Delano-Stephens and Dr. Emily Lipinski, c0-authors of Chapter 4: Hormonal Balance for Less PMS and Chapter 6: Detoxification for Less PMS.
Why is menstruation important?
It is the basis of female fertility. It is a measure of health and vitality and it connects us with the rhythms of the earth and moon.
Why do women need to know about hormonal balance and detoxification?
With such a huge amount of toxins in our environment these days, our bodies are going into overdrive to maintain optimal detoxification pathways. Excess hormones are detoxified through the liver and colon and if these pathways are not clear hormones, that are no longer needed, can be re absorbed into the system, throwing off the delicate hormonal balance. This is why frequent detoxification is so important!
We believe it is important for woman to look and feel their best. Hormones are at the core of the menstrual cycle physiology. Once a woman gains more knowledge about the changes taking place in her body each month it can be both empowering and enlightening. Working toward achieving hormonal balance is an integral part of a woman's health and wellness.
Do you have a personal story about menstruation you’d like to share?
Emily still remembers the day she first discovered she was a woman, and she felt terrified! She thought that it had come too soon (she was in grade 5). It was painful and very uncomfortable. Additionally, she felt embarrassed talking about it and kept her feelings and questions about her period to herself.
Once in her 20s, her cramps and pre-menstrual acne worsened. The oral birth control pill helped, but came with numerous side effects that she just wasn’t comfortable with. Throughout her life experience and education, she now realizes that although menstruation can be uncomfortable it brings womanhood, fertility and a cycle to connect us with the rhythms of the earth. Additionally, there are foods, herbs and vitamins that can significantly help woman with their menstrual cycles and there are many effective alternatives other than the birth control pill!
Looking back, Emily wishes that there was a resource or open database where she could learn more about the changes that take place in the female body find helpful tips and tricks on how to have a healthier period and balanced hormones. Periodmakeover.com was born out of both Gabriela’s and Emily’s desire to help women everywhere gain better understanding of their cycles and provide useful information to achieve hormonal balance.
What kind of menstrual protection do you use?
Gabriela always uses a DivaCup and, on occasion, GladRags. Emily uses GladRags or LunaPads and in a pinch will opt for organic cotton disposable pads.
Dr. Emily Lipinski, ND, HBSc, and Gabriela Delano-Stephens, RHN, BSc, of periodmakeover.com, are both food lovers and passionate about bringing the body back to health through natural remedies wherever possible. They started their website to bring awareness to women about the importance of attaining health through natural methods to balance hormones and reduce premenstrual symptoms.
Dr. Lipinski graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario, and is a member of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors. She practices in the greater Toronto area. She strongly believes in addressing the root cause of a medical issue and using natural therapies either alone or in conjunction with conventional western medicine. She has a passion for women’s health, including premenstrual syndrome, menopause, and antiaging. She is committed to helping her patients feel great and look their best.
Gabriela is a holistic nutritionist and loves many aspects of food, from growing food and preparing meals to knowing how it works in the body to create optimum health. She works with clients from around the world, helping them to achieve their health goals.
Gabriela is also passionate about yoga and is a certified yoga teacher. Yoga caught her attention with its power to calm the mind, heal the body, and release emotional tension as it taps into creative energy and allows us to transcend self-doubt.