Dr Jessie Short, Naturopathic Doctor

Dr Jessie Short, Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Jessie Short ND, PhD, MSCP
Evidence-informed care. Helping you navigate perimenopause for long term health. Mahone Bay and virtual across NS

For decades, women have been told that the goal is to become smaller.It's no wonder that many women try to manage body c...
07/31/2026

For decades, women have been told that the goal is to become smaller.

It's no wonder that many women try to manage body composition changes during perimenopause by trying to eat less.

But during this stage of life, I think we need to broaden the conversation.

Weight management may still be one of your goals, but how you get there matters.

As estrogen declines, women naturally lose muscle more quickly. At the same time, muscle becomes increasingly important for metabolism, blood sugar regulation, bone health, strength, balance and maintaining independence as we age.

That's why I spend so much time talking to my patients about preserving muscle.

That means:
- Eating enough to support your body
- Prioritizing protein
- Challenging your muscles through resistance training
- Thinking about the body you want to have 10 or 20 years from now

Healthy aging isn't about becoming as small as possible.

It's about building a body that's strong enough to support the life you want to live.

Have you ever found yourself eating less and less in an effort to lose weight, only to end up feeling exhausted, hungry,...
07/30/2026

Have you ever found yourself eating less and less in an effort to lose weight, only to end up feeling exhausted, hungry, constantly thinking about food...and watching your weight loss stall?

Many women assume this means they've run out of willpower.

More often, it reflects the way the body responds to prolonged calorie restriction.

When you're in a calorie deficit for long enough, your body doesn't simply continue burning energy at the same rate. It begins making adjustments designed to conserve energy. You may feel more tired, move less without realizing it, and notice that hunger becomes much harder to ignore.

That isn't a character flaw. It's a normal physiological response.

Energy balance still matters, but the advice to simply "eat less" doesn't tell us how to preserve muscle, maintain energy, or create a sustainable approach to weight management, especially during perimenopause.

In my newest blog, I explain why this happens, why it isn't simply a matter of discipline, and why the conversation needs to shift beyond "eat less and move more."

🔗 Link in bio.

I’m very happy to share that I’ve earned the Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) credential.This certificati...
07/30/2026

I’m very happy to share that I’ve earned the Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) credential.

This certification is awarded to licensed healthcare professionals who successfully complete The Menopause Society’s competency examination in menopause and midlife women’s health.

I pursued it because women navigating perimenopause and menopause deserve care that is informed by current evidence, attentive to the whole picture, and nuanced enough to reflect the complexity of this stage of life.

Studying for the examination deepened my knowledge across areas including hormone therapy, non-hormonal treatment options, cardiovascular and bone health, sleep, mood, sexual health and healthy aging.

I’m proud to add this credential to my practice, and even more excited about using what I’ve learned to help women better understand their health, their options and what may help them feel well again.

06/17/2026

One of the things I’m constantly trying to teach my kids is that they don’t need to be perfect.

When they’re learning something new, perfection often gets in the way. It makes mistakes feel bigger than they are, makes them afraid to try, and can take all the fun out of the process.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that many adults do the same thing, and I see this in myself, and my patients all the time.

We decide we’re finally going to prioritize ourselves.

We’re going to take every supplement exactly as recommended.
Get to bed at the perfect time.
Exercise consistently.
Eat better.
Drink more water.

And then life happens.

We forget a supplement.
Miss a workout.
Have a late night.
Order takeout.

Instead of seeing it as a normal part of being human, we often see it as failure.

But health was never meant to be all-or-nothing.

The goal isn’t perfection.

The goal is learning, adjusting, building habits over time, and continuing even when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Progress is never perfect.

At some point, many people end up trying to piece together their health by starting with a random supplement. Not becaus...
05/29/2026

At some point, many people end up trying to piece together their health by starting with a random supplement. Not because they’re doing something wrong, but because they’re trying their best to feel better.

One of the most valuable parts of working with a practitioner is having someone help you step back, look at the bigger picture, and decide what actually makes sense for YOU. I don’t want you to waste your money (and time, and motivation) on something that isn’t going to make you feel better.

Stop guessing, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

One of the most common things I hear from patients is:“I know I should probably be doing something… but there’s so much ...
05/29/2026

One of the most common things I hear from patients is:

“I know I should probably be doing something… but there’s so much information out there and I don’t know where to start.”

We have access to more health information than ever before, but that doesn’t necessarily make things easier. Sometimes it just creates more confusion, pressure, and conflicting advice.

One of the most valuable parts of an initial naturopathic visit is the time we get to spend together. Before we discuss the first steps in your treatment plan, I want to have an in-depth understanding of your symptoms or concerns (and how they impact your life), your health history, your goals and priorities

Looking after yourself doesn't have to be overwhelming, and you don't have to figure it all out alone

05/27/2026

Many women are so used to carrying everything that asking for support with their own health can feel unfamiliar.

A lot of my patients come in feeling like they should already have the answers: what supplements to take, what labs to ask for, what diet to follow

But health care was never meant to be a solo project. You are allowed to ask for help.

04/23/2026

I know I’m old you guys but I’m trying!

Address

25 Keddy Bridge Road
Mahone Bay, NS
B0J2E0

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19025291331

Website

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