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:

If your sleep feels different at various points in your cycle — harder to fall asleep, more vivid dreams, or restless nights before your period — you’re not imagining it. Hormones play a powerful role in how well you sleep. For many women, sleep disturbances are most noticeable in the luteal phase  — the days between ovulation and the start of bleeding. These changes can be subtle or significant, especially during perimenopause , when hormone levels become more erratic. In th

If your mood changes dramatically in the week or two before your period — to the point of feeling like a different person — you’re not alone. You might be dealing with PMDD. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)  is a severe, hormone-related mood disorder that affects around 5–8% of menstruating women. But it’s often under-recognised and misdiagnosed, especially because it’s not just a "worse version of PMS." PMDD is cyclical, debilitating, and can deeply affect your relatio

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

Having a period that’s unpredictable, skipping altogether, or arriving too soon or too late each month can feel frustrating — especially if you’re trying to understand your cycle, manage symptoms, or support your fertility. Irregular periods are incredibly common, but they’re also a sign that your body needs something — whether that’s stress support, nourishment, or hormonal rebalancing. What Counts as an “Irregular” Period? While no two person's menstrual cycles are exactly

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

If you’ve ever noticed your period disappear during a stressful month — or felt like perimenopause symptoms hit harder when life gets chaotic — you’re not imagining it. Stress has a powerful impact on your hormones. And during perimenopause, when your hormonal landscape is already shifting, the effects of stress can feel amplified. Let’s explore how this connection works — and what you can do to support your body through it. Your Brain and Hormones Are Always Talking The comm

When most people think about blood sugar, they think about diabetes or cutting sugar out of their diet. But balanced blood sugar is about so much more than that — especially for women in their 30s, 40s and beyond. Blood sugar balance is one of the most powerful ways we can support hormone function, mental clarity, and daily energy levels. And it doesn’t require rigid rules or eliminating entire food groups. Why Blood Sugar Matters for Hormones Insulin — the hormone that helps

Why Can’t I Sleep? Understanding Hormonal Sleep Disruption in Women If you find yourself staring at the ceiling at 3am, waking unrefreshed despite eight hours in bed, or struggling to fall asleep despite being exhausted — you’re not alone. Sleep issues are increasingly common in women, and they’re not just about stress or screen time. Sleep disruption in women is often hormonally driven — and worsened by modern lifestyles that dysregulate our circadian rhythm, blood sugar, an

What Is Hormonal Acne in Women — and Why Is It So Persistent? Hormonal acne isn’t just a teenage issue. Many women in their 20s, 30s, and even 40s experience recurring breakouts — especially around the chin, jawline, neck, and back . This type of acne often flares before your period, worsens with stress, and doesn’t always respond to standard skincare. Unlike surface-level acne, hormonal acne is driven by deeper imbalances  — including androgens, inflammation, insulin resista

If you’ve been feeling more anxious than usual — even if you’ve never had anxiety before — you’re not alone. For many women, anxiety begins to show up or intensify in their 30s and 40s, right alongside other subtle (or not-so-subtle) changes in their cycle, mood, or energy. Anxiety isn’t just a mental health issue. It’s often a whole-body signal  that your nervous system, hormones, or nutritional reserves are under strain. During perimenopause , the perfect storm of hormonal

If you experience migraines that seem to coincide with your menstrual cycle, you’re not alone. Many women find that their migraines flare up just before or during their period, while others may notice them around ovulation. These headaches—known as hormonal migraines—are not just random; they are directly linked to shifts in hormone levels. In this blog, we’ll explore why hormonal migraines happen, what factors make them worse, and practical strategies for managing them. What

Ovulation is often discussed in the context of fertility, but its importance goes far beyond conception. Regular ovulation is a key marker of overall health and plays a critical role in hormone balance, bone health, metabolism, and long-term wellbeing. If you’re not ovulating regularly, it can be a sign of underlying hormonal imbalances, stress, nutrient deficiencies, or other health concerns. Understanding ovulation and its role in your body can help you take control of your

Many women notice that their allergy and hayfever symptoms—like sneezing, nasal congestion, hives, or itching—seem to worsen at specific points in their menstrual cycle. This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s linked to the complex interaction between oestrogen and histamine in the body. The Oestrogen-Histamine Connection Histamine is a chemical produced by the immune system in response to allergens. It plays a key role in allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itching, a

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

Managing Endometriosis Symptoms: Evidence-Based Strategies for Relief Endometriosis is a chronic condition that can be debilitating, causing severe pain, inflammation, and other symptoms that affect your daily life. While traditional treatments like hormonal therapy and surgery are often used, managing endometriosis symptoms effectively also requires a holistic approach that includes diet, lifestyle changes, and targeted natural remedies. The good news is that you don’t have

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is a common condition that affects many women in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle, typically the 7-10 days leading up to their period. While PMS is often viewed as a normal part of a woman’s cycle, the symptoms—including mood swings, cramps, fatigue, and bloating—can be debilitating. The good news? There are a range of natural strategies you can use to ease PMS symptoms, balance your hormones, and feel more in control of your cycle. 1.

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

Most women will experience period pain at some point during their reproductive life. Some minor discomfort as your period starts is ok, but if your pain interrupts your daily activities or requires pain relief to manage it’s not normal. It’s certainly not something that you just have to put up with.   As your uterine lining starts to break down, your body produces inflammatory substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract to help it shed the ut