Understanding Hormone Health
Hormones influence nearly every aspect of your wellbeing—from your energy levels and sleep quality to mood, menstrual regularity, and how your body handles stress. When something feels out of sync, hormone testing can offer clarity and a path forward. At Acumamas, saliva hormone testing is one of the tools we use to better understand the body’s natural rhythms. It helps us identify imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and other key hormones—giving you and your care team a clearer picture of what’s happening beneath the surface. Whether you’re tracking cycles, experiencing midlife shifts, or exploring support for ongoing symptoms like fatigue, irritability, or irregular periods, this testing provides insight that can guide personalized care.
What Saliva Hormone Testing Can Reveal
Saliva testing measures the bioavailable, active form of hormones—what your body can actually use. It offers real-time insight into:
- Progesterone – crucial for cycle regulation, mood, and sleep
- Estradiol (a primary estrogen) – involved in bone health, cognition, and endometrial growth
- Cortisol – your stress hormone, which influences everything from immunity to ovulation
- DHEA and Testosterone – important for energy, libido, and metabolic balance
Because hormone levels shift across the day and menstrual cycle, this form of testing captures the bigger hormonal picture, rather than a single moment.
Timing Really Does Matter
Hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and across your cycle (if you’re still menstruating). That’s why timing the test correctly is so important.
At Acumamas, we tailor the testing window based on your current hormonal phase:
- For cycling patients:
- Luteal Phase (Days 19–23 in a 28-day cycle): To evaluate post-ovulation progesterone
- Follicular Phase (Days 3–5): To assess baseline estrogen and adrenal hormones
- For perimenopausal or menopausal patients:
- We often use single-day testing to assess daily cortisol curves and hormone output, regardless of cycle
Knowing when to test helps ensure results are accurate and actionable—whether you’re dealing with hot flashes, low libido, short luteal phases, or cycle irregularity.
How Saliva Testing Supports Personalized Care
Saliva hormone testing is typically coordinated by one of our naturopathic doctors, who will help interpret the results and design a treatment plan that aligns with your body’s needs and your personal goals.
Some patients choose to combine testing with acupuncture, especially if they’re experiencing hormone-related symptoms like:
- Sleep disturbances
- PMS or PMDD
- Low energy or burnout
- Mood swings or anxiety
- Irregular periods or missing cycles
Others may work exclusively with our naturopathic team. Both options are valid—and your care will always reflect your preferences.
Complementary Testing Tools We May Use
To round out the picture of your hormone health, we may also suggest:
- DUTCH Test: To understand hormone metabolism and detox pathways
- Mira Hormone Tracker: For those tracking ovulation at home with a real-time digital device
- Standard bloodwork via LifeLabs: To check thyroid, iron, insulin, or vitamin levels
Together, these tools provide a more complete understanding of your endocrine system and how it’s responding to stress, age, or environmental changes.
What to Expect at Acumamas
If you decide to pursue saliva hormone testing, here’s what the process usually looks like:
- Naturopathic Intake: A comprehensive visit where we explore your symptoms, health history, and cycle patterns (if applicable)
- Saliva Collection Kit: You’ll receive an at-home kit with clear instructions for when and how to collect samples
- Results Review: Your naturopath will go over your results in detail and offer targeted support using herbs, supplements, nutrition, or lifestyle strategies
- Optional Integration: If you’re also working with an acupuncturist, they can align your treatments with what’s learned from the test
No two plans look the same—because no two patients are the same.
Common Questions
Is this only for people trying to get pregnant?
Not at all. Saliva testing is useful at any life stage—especially for women navigating perimenopause, adrenal fatigue, PCOS, or irregular cycles.
Can I do saliva testing without doing acupuncture?
Yes. Saliva testing is often used independently as part of a naturopathic treatment plan. Acupuncture is an optional complement, not a requirement.
Does it replace bloodwork?
It doesn’t replace—but can add depth to—what we learn from blood testing. Saliva is better for tracking hormone fluctuations over time and stress hormone curves.
Is this covered by insurance?
Some extended health plans cover the cost of naturopathic visits and testing. We provide receipts for reimbursement.
What if I’m postmenopausal or not cycling?
Saliva testing is still helpful for assessing estrogen levels, cortisol patterns, and adrenal function. Your naturopath will guide you on when and how to collect samples.
More Insight. Less Guesswork.
Hormonal shifts can affect everything from your mood to your metabolism, your sleep to your stress levels. Saliva testing gives us a clear, personalized look at how your hormones are functioning—so we can support you with precision and care. Whether you’re managing symptoms of PMS, PCOS, perimenopause, or postpartum depletion, our team is here to help you find balance and ease—on your terms.
