Heart to Heart Medical Center - Shiroko Sokitch, MD

Heart to Heart Medical Center - Shiroko Sokitch, MD I'm an MD/Functional medicine doctor/acupuncturist, specializing in helping you live the life of your dreams feeling great in your body!!

Heart to Heart Medicine Healing Philosophy

Shiroko is a shining, tried-and-true example of a healer who skillfully integrates diverse knowledge into a supportive and effective approach for people from all different backgrounds.

08/31/2026

Functional medicine and Chinese medicine approach to Brain Fog

Have you been experiencing irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, scalp-hair changes, cravings, fatigue, poor sl...
08/29/2026

Have you been experiencing irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, scalp-hair changes, cravings, fatigue, poor sleep, or difficulty managing your weight?

These concerns may seem unrelated, but they can sometimes be part of a larger hormonal and metabolic pattern.

The condition previously known as PCOS is now called Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS. The new name helps us understand that it can affect much more than the ovaries.

It may involve your menstrual cycles, ovulation, androgen activity, blood-sugar regulation, energy, sleep, emotional health, and fertility.

Most importantly, PMOS can affect women of different body sizes. A complete evaluation looks at your actual hormone and metabolic patterns so your care can be personalized to you.

These signs do not automatically mean that you have PMOS. However, they may be reasons to speak with a qualified healthcare professional about a comprehensive evaluation.

Save this guide so you can refer to it later, and share it with a woman who deserves a more compassionate understanding of her symptoms.

Learn more at hearttoheartmedicalcenter.com.

This information is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice.

08/29/2026

Irregular periods, cravings, fatigue, acne, unwanted hair growth, scalp-hair changes, and difficulty managing your weight can sometimes be parts of one connected hormonal and metabolic pattern.

A whole-body understanding of PMOS helps us consider your ovaries alongside hormone signaling, metabolism, sleep, energy, skin, emotional health, and fertility.

The encouraging news is that seeing the bigger picture can lead to clearer questions and more personalized care.

PCOS is now called Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS, because the new name better reflects how the condition can involve your hormones, menstrual cycles, ovulation, blood sugar, energy, sleep, skin, emotional health, and fertility.

PMOS can occur across different body sizes. A thoughtful evaluation can reveal the hormonal and metabolic patterns that matter most for your health.

In this video, I explain:
• Why PMOS is a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition
• How seemingly unrelated symptoms may be connected
• Why insulin resistance and androgen activity matter
• What a comprehensive evaluation should consider
• How I bring together Western, functional, and Chinese medicine perspectives

A comprehensive evaluation considers your cycle while also asking what may be happening throughout your whole body.

Watch the full video, and please share it with a woman who may need to hear that her symptoms are real, connected, and worthy of a more complete evaluation.

To learn more or request an appointment, visit hearttoheartmedicalcenter.com.

This video is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical care.

08/24/2026

PCOS Is More Than an O***y Problem: 4 Whole-Body Signals You Should Know

Hormone therapy can be incredibly helpful, but it does not feel the same for every woman or at every stage of the menopa...
08/23/2026

Hormone therapy can be incredibly helpful, but it does not feel the same for every woman or at every stage of the menopause transition.

Sometimes the missing piece is not "more estrogen." It may be fluctuating ovulation, changing progesterone, an abrupt transition, a dose or delivery method that needs adjustment, or a broader pattern involving sleep, stress, thyroid health, metabolism, and the balance between hormones.

In Chinese medicine, I also look for patterns of instability and depletion. This does not replace modern medical evaluation. It gives me another way to understand how your symptoms connect and how to support the whole person.

If hormone therapy does not feel right, please do not change it on your own. Ask for a thoughtful review of your symptoms, history, dose, formulation, route, and goals.

Comment MENOPAUSE if this is a conversation you need.

08/23/2026

Have you started hormone therapy and wondered, "Why don't I feel better yet?"

That question does not automatically mean hormone therapy is wrong for you. It may mean that your body is moving through a different pattern than someone else's.

In today's video, I explain four patterns I often consider when symptoms do not improve as expected:
✅ Hormones that rise and fall unpredictably during perimenopause.
✅ A more abrupt shift, especially when both ovaries are removed or symptoms become noticeable after a major physical or emotional stressor.
✅ An adjustment pattern when hormone therapy is started again after a long break.
✅ A quieter whole-body pattern that may involve sleep, mood, energy, bone health, blood pressure, cholesterol, and the Chinese medicine picture of Kidney and Liver balance.

The important point is that hormone care is not one-size-fits-all. Estrogen is only one part of the picture. Progesterone, and sometimes testosterone, may also matter. So do your health history, symptoms, timing, medication route, metabolism, and the way all of these systems work together.

Please do not stop or change prescribed hormones on your own. A thoughtful review with a qualified healthcare professional can help determine whether the treatment, dose, route, or even the symptom target needs another look.

If this sounds familiar, comment 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 or 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗘 below. I would love to hear your question.

With love,
Dr. Shiroko

𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦.

08/17/2026

The 4 hidden patterns behind perimenopause.

Are your symptoms telling a story that one hormone number cannot fully explain?Hormones do not work alone. They interact...
08/15/2026

Are your symptoms telling a story that one hormone number cannot fully explain?

Hormones do not work alone. They interact with your sleep, stress response, energy, metabolism, mood, medications, and stage of life. That is why understanding hormone balance often requires looking beyond whether a single result is simply “high” or “low.”

In my live stream, I discuss how DUTCH testing may offer additional information about hormone metabolites, processing and clearance pathways, relationships among selected hormones, and cortisol patterns and why these findings are most meaningful when considered alongside your symptoms and complete health history.

This test is not necessary for everyone, and it is not a stand-alone diagnosis. But in selected situations, it may help a qualified clinician ask more focused questions and identify appropriate next steps.

You deserve to understand your health without feeling overwhelmed by laboratory reports.

Save this post, watch the live-stream discussion, and share it with someone who has questions about hormone balance.

What is one thing you wish someone had explained to you about hormone testing?

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦.

08/14/2026

Have you ever received hormone test results and wondered, “What do these numbers actually mean for me?”

Hormones do not work in isolation. They interact with your sleep, stress response, metabolism, energy, mood, life stage, and many other parts of your health.

In this Facebook Live replay, I explain how DUTCH testing may offer additional information about hormone metabolites, metabolism and clearance pathways, relationships among selected hormones, and daily cortisol patterns and why those findings must always be understood within the context of your complete health story.

We’ll talk about:
✨ What the test measures
✨ How selected hormones are processed and cleared
✨ Why balance involves relationships—not isolated numbers
✨ When additional testing may be helpful
✨ Why no single test should be treated as a stand-alone answer
✨ How an individualized plan can help you make informed decisions

My goal is to help you feel more informed and empowered not overwhelmed by laboratory results.

Watch the replay, save it for later, and share it with a friend who may benefit from a clearer conversation about hormone health.

What would you most like to understand about your hormones?

This video is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical care.

08/11/2026

A cough. A sneeze. A laugh. And suddenly, a little urine leaks.

If this happens to you, I want you to know that stress incontinence is common but it is still worth understanding.

Your pelvic floor, childbirth history, core strength, hormone changes during perimenopause and menopause, and the health of your tissues may all be part of the picture.

I don’t believe in looking at the bladder alone. I look at the whole person so we can understand what your body may need and explore the most appropriate support.

You deserve to move, laugh, exercise, and live with greater confidence.

Save this video and share it with a woman who may need to hear that she does not have to ignore these symptoms.

Address

2200 Range Avenue Ste 109
Santa Rosa, CA
95403

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+17075249640

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Heart to Heart Medical Center - Shiroko Sokitch, MD posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Heart to Heart Medical Center - Shiroko Sokitch, MD:

Shortcuts

Share

Category