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Saliva Testing for Endometriosis: A New Era in Diagnosis?

Saliva Testing for Endometriosis: A New Era in Diagnosis?

One of the most exciting developments in women's health over the past few years is the emergence of saliva-based testing for endometriosis. For decades, diagnosing endometriosis has been frustratingly slow. The average woman waits 7-10 years from the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis. Many are told their painful periods are "normal," while others undergo years of imaging, medications, or even surgery before finally getting answers.

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Water Retention After Starting Hormone Therapy: Why It Happens (and What You Can Do About It)

Water Retention After Starting Hormone Therapy: Why It Happens (and What You Can Do About It)

Some temporary water retention is incredibly common and usually does not mean you've gained fat or that your hormones are harming you. For most women, patience really does pay off. Support your body with hydration, movement, potassium-rich foods, adequate protein, fiber, good sleep, and time. If you're still feeling persistently swollen after 3-4 months, or the symptoms are becoming severe, it's worth talking with your healthcare provider. Sometimes a small adjustment to your hormone regimen can make all the difference.

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Methylene Blue—Hype or Helpful? What the Research Actually Says

Methylene Blue—Hype or Helpful? What the Research Actually Says

Methylene blue has become one of the most talked-about compounds in the longevity and biohacking world. From social media influencers to physicians interested in mitochondrial medicine, it's being discussed as a potential tool for improving brain function, energy, and even healthy aging. But what exactly is it—and does the science support all of the excitement?

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Nervous System Dysregulation: Mold, Trauma & Functional Medicine Support

Nervous System Dysregulation: Mold, Trauma & Functional Medicine Support

Many patients come to Tendwell after mold exposure, trauma, chronic illness, or perimenopause saying the same thing: “I feel like my body is stuck in fight-or-flight.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You may be experiencing nervous system dysregulation — and there is a physiological reason for it.

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Vagal Support & Limbic Retraining

Vagal Support & Limbic Retraining

When someone is living with chronic stress or chronic illness, the nervous system often gets stuck in a state of threat. The vagus nerve plays a central role in calming the body, supporting digestion, immunity, and emotional regulation. Limbic retraining helps re-pattern the brain’s threat response, reducing overactivation and allowing the body to shift toward safety, healing, and resilience.

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Book Review: The Menopause Moment by Kelly Casperson

Book Review: The Menopause Moment by Kelly Casperson

The Menopause Moment is a refreshing, evidence-based, and deeply empowering guide for women navigating perimenopause and menopause—and for clinicians who care for them. Dr. Kelly Casperson brings a much-needed blend of medical rigor, clinical clarity, and straight talk to a phase of life that has been historically under-taught, under-treated, and often dismissed.

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How to Do a Cleanse—Tendwell Style–Happy New Year!!

How to Do a Cleanse—Tendwell Style–Happy New Year!!

There’s no single “right” way to do a cleanse, and the word itself often means very different things to different people. For some, it brings to mind water fasting (my sister-in-law immediately thinks of this!). But starving your way through a fast—only to regain weight or feel depleted afterward—isn’t my idea of an effective or sustainable cleanse. Others think of juice-only programs, which can send a surge of natural sugar straight into your system without offering much in the way of real detox support.

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Susannah Kerwin’s Favorite Things: 2025 Edition

Susannah Kerwin’s Favorite Things: 2025 Edition

At Tendwell, I’m constantly searching for the safest, cleanest, and most nourishing products—both for myself and for the people I care for. As a holistic nurse practitioner and the founder of a functional medicine practice, I only recommend items I trust, use, and genuinely love. Here are a few of my Favorite Things for 2025—from fragrance-free moisturizers to nourishing foods and simple lifestyle tools that support a healthier, calmer, more balanced everyday life.

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A Letter to My Ideal Clients

A Letter to My Ideal Clients

Anyone who’s ever started a business has probably been told to define their “ideal client.” When I first launched my functional medicine practice, that concept felt foreign — even uncomfortable. I mean, I’m a people person. I like everyone. I find challenging personalities interesting. I didn’t want to exclude anyone. I’m here to help.

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How to Choose the Best Water Filtration System for Your Needs 2025

How to Choose the Best Water Filtration System for Your Needs 2025

Clean water is foundational to good health. It supports every cell, tissue, and organ, playing a central role in detoxification, hormone balance, and mitochondrial energy production. Yet, the quality of our tap water can vary widely depending on where we live, our plumbing system, and municipal treatment methods. Understanding what’s in your water and what your body needs can help you choose the best filtration system for your home—whether that’s a simple pitcher, an under-sink filter, or a whole-house purification system.

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When “Normal” Labs Don’t Explain Why You Feel Awful

When “Normal” Labs Don’t Explain Why You Feel Awful

Most conventional blood work is like looking at your health through a keyhole. It can show a tiny slice of what’s happening—but it often misses the bigger picture. By design, standard testing is meant to catch problems once they’re significant enough to create obvious abnormalities. But what about the months or years before that—when your body is whispering warnings through fatigue, bloating, pain, or brain fog, yet everything still looks “normal” on paper

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