“Yoni steaming,” aka vaginal steam cleaning, is getting a lot of buzz right now thanks to Gwyneth’s recent spa plug on GOOP.  It’s been used by Mayan, Asian, and other cultures for millennia, and is known for aiding in difficult or heavy menstruation – especially when used with herbs. But from a Western point of view, the physiological benefits are not well-studied, and on top of that, removing practices from the “whole” in any holistic approach is a recipe for disaster (or at least disappointment).

Beverly Hills-based OB-GYN Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz (as featured on Dr. Oz, SELF Magazine, & more), combines Ayurveda with conventional medicine to help create a healing, low-inflammation environment that coaxes a woman’s hormonal system back into healthy balance which of course restores looks and energy along the way.

Dr. Gilberg-Lenz says this treatment should be part of a larger, customized plan to truly optimize a woman’s specific health needs, such as menstruation, weight, fatigue, sex drive and overall vitality. As an OB-GYN and holistic health practitioner, here are my top 3 recommendations I give to my patients for holistic hormone balance, including a supplement (Asensia) that utilizes a blend of chasteberry and other ingredients to restore progesterone and estrogen to optimal levels.

1.  Retool your diet

Diet plays an enormous role in your hormone balance. Legumes and beans contain critical “signaling” molecules that help the body function properly. Omega-3 fatty acids (think fish or fish oil capsules) are key for mood, memory, heart health and metabolism functionality. And, sorry everyone: Soda isn’t doing you any favors! Components of carbonated drinks may contribute to bone loss, undoing the good work you’re doing with a calcium and magnesium-rich diet. Find a different drink you love to sip, like green tea, which is notable both for its cancer-fighting and metabolic properties. When we are feeding ourselves healthfully, we create a biochemical environment for our energy levels, looks and mood to thrive.

2.  Take a good supplement

For most of us, diet all by itself can’t meet our nutrient needs. So reach for a high-quality supplement! My top recommendations for women include: a calcium supplement, taken with magnesium, vitamin D3, omega-3 and vitex (i.e. chasteberry) for hormone balance specifically. A good B-complex, as well as black cohosh, both help with hot flashes. One supplement that combines many of my favorites is Asensia, whose formula was proven through scientific studies to help women get their hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, back into balance.

3.  Move (or don’t move) your body

Your hormones respond to both exercise and meditation. Each activity give your hard-working adrenals a break, and reduce the amount of stress-induced cortisol flowing through your system. As we all know by now, stress leads to inflammation, burdens our immune system, and takes a toll on just about every area of your body. But yoga, a walk in nature, and quiet breathing all help counteract these effects, and create the conditions for a healthy body and calmer spirit.

Beverly Hills-based OB-GYN Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz (as featured on Dr. Oz, SELF Magazine, & more), combines holistic health with conventional medicine to help create a healing, low-inflammation environment that coaxes a woman’s hormonal system back into healthy balance, and restores her looks and energy along the way. Learn more at thedrsuzanne.com.