Dr. Kim Abog, Naturopathic Doctor

12/05/2023

Grateful for and the opportunities, not just for myself in providing care to the community but also for people needing a non-judgmental and compassionate space and personalized support in building their families.

Here’s a little view of my workspace, where I work with people needing fertility care ❤️

11/28/2023

11/08/2023

Did you know that the hormones involved in menstrual cycles (ovarian function) are also involved in s***m health (testicular function)?

Yes it’s true (and it’s super cool) 😎

S***m health is generally dependent on testosterone production. Testosterone production is influenced by hormonal crosstalks made possible by the interactions (mainly) between the brain and the te**es.

We call this feedback system the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal/Testicular (HPG or HPT) Axis.

Similar to the hormonal feedback system in menstrual cycles, in the brain, the pulsatile release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus stimulates the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) made by the anterior pituitary gland.

LH and FSH also act on the testicular cells, the Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells – via the process of steroidogenesis.

The HPG axis does not exist in a vacuum, as it can be affected by other factors such as metabolic hormones (e.g. insulin, leptin), sleep and stress regulation (e.g. cortisol, melatonin), and external factors (e.g. exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals).

This is why it is important to assess your unique health history in order to understand what may be affecting your fertility.

To learn more about how you can reach your fertility goals (including optimizing s***m health), book an appointment with me or click the link in my bio to learn more!

11/01/2023

If you are trying to get pregnant, you may have tried a few things to increase your chances of conceiving successfully. An approach to consider in your fertility journey is acupuncture.

Swipe through the carousel or click the link in my bio to read more on acupuncture and fertility.

Book a free Discovery Session or an Initial appointment to get started 🙂

09/27/2023

Here’s your chance to learn more about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome with fellow esteemed experts and advocates 💙 I’ll be part of the “What is PCOS?” Panel at 9am with the amazing .dylancutler and .saminamitha.nd – excited to have you all on board then! 💙

Thank you to the amazing team for organizing this event and making PCOS resources accessible!

08/29/2023

Proof of life and a re-introduction to those new to my page! I’ve been kind of MIA on insta but people are still reaching out. Super grateful for y’all, trusting there’s an actual human behind this account 😂

I’m Kim!

👩‍⚕️Naturopathic Doctor by profession

🍳Fertility and reproductive health-focused ND…wc means I love supporting people with complex repro health concerns (PS your whole life is a big reproductive event if you think about it 🤔)

🪺I have PCOS, although now I’m more on a ‘health maintenance’ phase since having access to knowledge and practical tools to manage symptoms + complications (TY continuing education courses 🙏🏼 )

📚 I’m pretty low maintenance outside of the demands/realities of my career/smol biz - I like to read books and take long walks w my fiancé lol

🎇 I hate fireworks, and no one can change my mind about that 😁

🎶I got waitlisted for shows in TO 😩😭

🐶 I am a second-time fur momma, first to and now to lol

🌸 if I wasn’t a ND I’d probably be studying oocytes (ovaries, egg cells) my whole life. They are always so fascinating to me 🌝

Promise to post more here! Life is just happening outside of social media, and I’m (not) here for it 😆

How are y’all doing??? Say hi!!

08/17/2023

This was easy and hard to read.

Easy because the author has a skillful way of weaving different stories of people of different backgrounds so empathetically and vividly.

Hard to read because while we are reading fictional narrations of events, the issues of systemic racism, poverty, s*xuality, s*x work and more that the characters struggled through are still very real.

“i was fifteen. you were four.
i taught you drama in a scarborough community centre.
you were surviving neglect.
wherever you are, i hope you are safe
and know i loved you enough to write you this book.”

08/16/2023

Here’s more reason to not doubt yourself in seeking help when feeling unsure about your heavy menstrual bleeding.

It's 2023 and menstrual products are only now being tested with blood.

Incredible research. Just heartbreaking how we didn’t think of studying this sooner.

The researchers tested menstrual products like tampons, pads, menstrual cups and discs, and period underwear to determine their maximum capacity to absorb or fill using expired human packed red blood cells.

- They found that menstrual discs held the most blood of any product (at 80mL for the Intimina-Ziggy disc).
- The perineal ice- activated cold pack and period Knix underwear held the least (

07/25/2023

More and more people are realizing now how important diet is in the management of not just PCOS but also overall fertility and reproductive health challenges.

So a question I get at least 2-3x daily is if having PCOS means avoiding dairy and gluten long-term.

And right now, the answer is NOT NECESSARILY.

Nutrition science is so complex and highly nuanced, that there is no general dietary recommendation for complex and highly nuanced conditions like PCOS.

Swipe through this carousel post and/or click the link in my bio to learn more.

07/08/2023

06/28/2023

Berberine is Nature’s Ozempic….according to Tiktok.

Berberine is gaining momentum on social media for its weight loss effects, even being referred to by some as “nature’s Ozempic”. It is generally widely available - you can find them in health food stores - and significantly less expensive.

Berberine is a plant-based compound called an alkaloid that is active in a number of plant species including barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape.

It has a good amount of evidence to back it up when it comes to minimizing the duration of infectious illnesses as well as curbing appetite and regulating blood sugar levels…which makes this a no-brainer for managing weight “naturally”.

Compared to Ozempic, berberine has a different mechanism of action.

Ozempic may result in weight loss by delaying gastric emptying, which induces feelings of fullness and reduces intake of food.

Berberine may significantly help with weight management because it can improve insulin resistance.

I’m all for health independence but I am also for being critical of where information is coming from.

Berberine when used in inappropriate situations can cause digestive disturbances such as nausea and vomiting, gas, abdominal cramps.

If you feel that berberine can help you, do ensure that you get a second opinion before using it.

I highly recommend speaking with a doctor, naturopathic doctor (me 🙋🏻‍♀️) or someone with knowledge/experience before taking berberine as a part of your health regimen for optimizing your weight and metabolism, fertility, and more.

06/13/2023

Happy Philippine Independence Day!
 🇵🇭Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan! 🇵🇭

Did you know that the Philippines has a rich (pre-colonial!) Indigenous culture and natural resources aplenty?

Before we had a patriarchal viewpoint of what family/society/life should be, the many different polities in the Philippine archipelago have had notable achievements such as Indigenous educational systems and writing systems (e.g. Baybayin), civility & respect towards ethnic differences, craft innovations, development of indigenous culinary & healing arts, folk literature, performing arts, equal stand on decision-making from any gender, and acceptance/welcoming of q***r & trans people.

The photos in this post are some ancient fertility symbols, known to be made in Southeast Asia particularly in jade workshops in the Philippines – The lingling-o and dinumug.

From baybayinalive.com:

The lingling-o is a common ancient artifact symbolizing fertility found around Southeast Asia & the Philippines. Dinumug is a fertility symbol & symbol of prosperity and love found in the Ifugao, Bontoc and other Cordillera regions of the northern Philippines.

Take a look at the negative space formed within the above solid shapes, and you should be able to perceive the shape that can be considered the internal female reproductive system—the womb and the birth canal. (Some archaelogists interpret the shape as that of the uterus and the umbilical cord.)

As fertility symbols, these shapes captured the feminine essence — that which nurtures life within itself and gives birth to it.

The lingling-o was worn by people in various regions of the Philippines but also all around Southeast Asia so it is obvious that this symbol and its meaning of fertility existed beyond words and language — it was worn because of its “magical” or blessing qualities for fertility and prosperity, and at the same time it embodied an abstract concept of the Feminine.

06/05/2023

Usually when we witness people talk about (in)fertility challenges, the conversations seem to be mostly addressing female reproductive health-related issues (i.e. uterus, ovaries, vulvovaginal issues etc.)

The other part of the fertility equation matters too. Male infertility challenges (afflicting those who are able to make s***m) are also a prominent part of the Infertility problem. The ever elusive 'Unexplained Infertility' diagnosis also creeps into the medical charts of those dealing with male infertility issues. Often left to be explained.

So how can we do better in improving the fertility goals of those affected by this issue? I think it starts with gaining an awareness of other potential factors that can disrupt someone's ability to produce adequate/healthy s***m quality.

Some under-addressed factors include metabolic issues (like insulin resistance); stress; environmental exposures to smoke, industrial chemicals, etc.; suboptimal nutrition; alcohol intake; and sleep quality issues.

What is something new that you took away from this post? Share and pass the message on!

06/03/2023

This meal for 2 took me 10-15ish minutes to prepare and make.

The only thing I really cooked was the asparagus sautéed in EVOO + butter + s&p + oregano + splash of lemon juice.

I chopped up an abandoned potato in the fridge and marinated it in some EVOO + seasonings with frozen vegetables.

Took advantage of a convenient package of cooked frozen chicken breasts from and baked that too.

Dinner is ready. Nothing fancy. Not the “healthiest” (also don’t let a health influencer shame you). But surely nutrient-dense.

Happy Friday! Save your energy, it’s hot out there. Stay hydrated!

05/31/2023

Two weeks ago, I took part in the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors’ Lobby Day wherein we were welcomed at Queen’s Park to speak with different Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs).

Speaking with politicians is definitely not something I am used to. Needless to say I was SO nervous.

But the need to speak up and advocate for people falling through the cracks of the healthcare system is greater than whatever worry there was.

It was an interesting (and worthwhile) experience to be sharing with legislators the lived realities our patients go through when it comes to accessing health care.

Oh you bet I definitely talked about the many gaps in care for those seeking help with fertility and reproductive health concerns, pregnancy, postpartum (!!!!!), common infections like UTIs, menopause, pain, aging etc.

It is also not everyday you get to talk to politicians about what we do as Naturopathic Doctors in championing the health and well-being of our patients and how we can collectively be part of a sustainable solution to Ontario’s overburdened healthcare system.

To my surprise, in spite of the many different political views and what we see/hear in the news/media (which are often polarizing), the people we spoke to seemed very receptive and engaged in our conversations. The awareness and gravity of the healthcare system crises were palpable, and we shared our deep concerns.

This experience is certainly one for the books – my hope is that it’s not just another book left unread. Onwards and upwards!

05/31/2023

Check out our conversation about PCOS and what it really means to manage it – a topic not really talked about in our Filipino culture

05/30/2023

Social media is a funny tool. It’s great to connect with people you would never think about discussing with and to learn new things. In the midst of finding connection, sometimes it can make you feel disconnected from yourself – at least that’s how I feel sometimes when I am scrolling away.

It’s an interesting time to be a healthcare service + information provider on socials – Trying to reach and educate more people while juggling the ethics of potentially causing harm with sharing well-meaning information that may inaccurately represent how to resolve someone’s health concerns. Or how about trying to simplify physiological concepts of PCOS/fertility/endometriosis/immune dysregulation/mitochondrial dysfunction etc. while avoiding minimizing the complexity of the human body. Or tying in the many intersections of health, power, privilege, and societal norms.

Yikes. Sometimes it is easier to disconnect.

I don’t think completely going off the grid is the answer to finding that inner peace though. Perhaps being more intentional about how you spend your time, what you consume (sustenance/media/health info/exposures, etc/) would give you a better idea of what it is to be self-connected.

Anyway, there isn’t really a point to this post lol. Just wanted to rant (?) and may be update y’all who may be interested. Connecting and empowering people through (mostly reproductive) health education will always be the goal here. Part of the learning is sharing glimpses of reality that trying to improve yourself (e.g. expanding your health knowledge, signing up for different self-improvement learning opportunities) is not always simple, and it is okay to disconnect when you need to find yourself again.

How do you use social media? What do you look for?