Many women are taught to ignore their symptoms or push through them. Period pain is brushed off as “normal,” bloating is dismissed as “just something you live with,” and fatigue is explained away as “busyness.” Over time, this can create a disconnect between what your body is trying to communicate and what you have been told to tolerate. But symptoms are not overreactions or signs of weakness. They are messages; a form of communication designed to help you understand what you

Bloating is one of the most common digestive symptoms women experience, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Occasional bloating is normal, but feeling uncomfortable, swollen, “six months pregnant,” or noticing bloating that worsens throughout the day is a sign that something in the digestive system needs support. In your 30s and 40s, bloating often becomes more noticeable as hormones change, stress increases and gut health becomes more sensitive. The good news is th

In a world of quick fixes and one-size-fits-all advice, it’s easy to feel frustrated when you’re doing “all the right things” and still don’t feel like you're getting better. Maybe your blood tests come back “normal,” but your energy is low, your digestion is unpredictable, or your hormones feel all over the place. That’s where naturopathic care offers something different, a truly personalised, whole-body approach designed to help you understand what’s going on beneath the su

If you’ve ever had “butterflies” before a big event or noticed your digestion go haywire during stressful times, you’ve already experienced the gut–brain connection in action. We often think of the gut and brain as separate systems but in reality they’re constantly communicating. And when that communication becomes disrupted, it can affect everything from your digestion and sleep to your mood and ability to cope with stress. The gut and brain talk — a lot Your gut and brain a

The festive season is a time for connection, celebration and good food, but it can also challenge even the healthiest digestive system. Between richer meals, extra drinks, late nights and a disrupted routine, it’s common to notice symptoms like bloating, reflux, sluggish digestion or general discomfort creeping in. The good news is that these changes are usually temporary, and with a little extra care and awareness, you can help your digestive system to handle the season with

When you come to see me for the first time, one of the most important steps in understanding your health is testing — but not just any testing. The right tests, done at the right time and interpreted in the right context, can reveal valuable insights into what’s really driving your symptoms. In this post, I’ll share the key blood tests I commonly request at an initial consultation, how I interpret them, and when we might need to look further with functional testing. The Found

When standard blood tests come back “normal” but symptoms persist, it can feel frustrating — like something important is being missed. This is where functional testing comes in. Functional testing goes beyond just identifying disease, it looks at how your body’s systems are performing and why they may not be functioning optimally. By understanding these deeper patterns, we can be far more precise — and proactive — in how we support your health. Comprehensive Hormone Testing:

Antibiotics can be essential — but they don’t just target the infection. They can also impact your gut microbiome in ways that affect digestion, immunity, mood, and hormone balance. Many people experience bloating, irregular bowel movements, or fatigue after antibiotics — but few realise this may be due to changes in the gut that go far beyond temporary dysbiosis. How Antibiotics Affect the Gut Microbiome The gut is home to trillions of microbes — bacteria, fungi, viruses, an

When we think of reflux, we usually imagine burning in the chest — classic heartburn that rises after a meal or when lying down. But not all reflux looks like this. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), also known as silent reflux, affects the throat and upper airways rather than the oesophagus. And because it doesn’t cause the typical burning sensation, it’s often missed — or misdiagnosed. What Is Silent Reflux? Silent reflux occurs when stomach contents travel past the oesophagus

When we think about fibre, we usually think about digestion. But fibre does far more than just keep you regular. It plays a key role in hormone balance, gut microbiome diversity, blood sugar regulation, and inflammation — all of which are essential foundations for long-term health, especially during perimenopause. And yet, most women don’t get enough. In this article, we’ll explore what fibre actually does in the body, why it matters for hormone and gut health, and how to

If you’re dealing with chronic symptoms like fatigue, stubborn inflammation, mood swings, hormone imbalances or metabolic changes — and nothing seems to shift it — your gut may be playing a bigger role than you realise. More specifically, you may be experiencing something called metabolic endotoxaemia  — a low-grade, chronic inflammatory state that originates in the gut. This condition is a silent disruptor. It doesn’t always show up on standard pathology tests, but it can in

You’ve probably heard of probiotics and prebiotics — but there’s a third player that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: postbiotics. Postbiotics are the beneficial compounds that your gut microbes produce when they ferment dietary fibre and other plant compounds. And they play a huge role in keeping your body balanced and resilient. What are postbiotics? Postbiotics include a range of compounds — the most well-known being short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, aceta

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common digestive conditions — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. If you’ve been told you have IBS, or suspect it might be part of what’s going on for you, it’s important to understand what that label really means — and what it doesn’t. IBS is a Diagnosis of Exclusion Despite being so common, IBS isn’t diagnosed with a single test. It’s what’s known as a diagnosis of exclusion — meaning other possible causes should be

Digestive issues can be incredibly frustrating to live with—whether it’s bloating, abdominal pain, gas, irregular bowel movements, or a general sense of discomfort. Often, these symptoms are lumped together under the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), but is that really the whole story? IBS is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning it’s typically given when no other clear cause for symptoms can be found. However, not every diagnosis of IBS is accurate—many peo

The gut microbiome plays a fundamental role in digestion, immune function, hormone balance, and inflammation regulation. A well-balanced microbiome contributes to optimal gut health, mental clarity, and stable energy levels, while an imbalanced microbiome can lead to bloating, fatigue, inflammation, hormone disruption and even chronic disease. One of the most effective ways to support your microbiome is through dietary diversity—specifically, by increasing the variety of pla

Constipation is a common yet frustrating digestive issue that can impact overall health, energy levels, and even hormone balance. While occasional constipation is normal, chronic sluggish digestion can disrupt gut function, cause bloating, and contribute to hormonal imbalances like oestrogen dominance. If you’re struggling with slow digestion, the good news is that there are evidence-based strategies that can support you to have regular bowel movements. This guide explores ho

Antioxidants are often associated with anti-aging and immune support, but their role in hormone health, fertility, and gut function is just as important. These powerful compounds protect cells from oxidative stress, support hormone balance, improve egg quality, and even nourish the gut microbiome. If you’re trying to balance your hormones, support fertility, or improve digestion, antioxidants should be a key focus in your diet. In this article, we’ll explore why antioxidants

The Power of Prebiotic Foods: How to Feed Your Gut for Better Health When it comes to gut health, probiotics tend to steal the spotlight. But the truth is, beneficial bacteria can’t thrive without the right fuel— prebiotics . These fermentable fibres feed the microbiome, supporting digestion, immune function, and even hormone balance . If you want to optimise your gut health, incorporating prebiotic-rich foods into your diet is probably more important than taking probiotics.

Learn some of the key ways to support hormone balance and gut health using food & lifestyle strategies.