If you’ve noticed that your ability to cope with stress just isn’t what it used to be — you’re not imagining it. Many women describe feeling like they get overwhelmed by things that never bothered them before or like the smallest things can tip them over the edge emotionally. While it’s easy to blame busy schedules or the demands of modern life, there’s a very real physiological reason behind this change: perimenopause alters how the body responds to stress. Hormones, the bra

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

Menopause is more than the end of your reproductive years, it’s a pivotal window for long-term health. While menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can be incredibly effective for easing symptoms like hot flushes, sleep disruption and mood changes, it’s only part of the story when it comes to healthy ageing. If your goal is to feel strong, clear-headed and capable for decades to come, then nutrition and lifestyle have an equally powerful role to play. Health span vs lifespan: what’

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 you’ve noticed changes in your cycle, mood, or sleep in your late 30s or 40s, low progesterone could be one of the underlying causes. This calming hormone plays a vital role in hormonal balance, especially during the perimenopausal transition — and it’s often the first to decline. In this post, we’ll explore what progesterone does, why it drops in perimenopause, common symptoms of low progesterone, and how to support your body naturally with food, lifestyle, and targeted n

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’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

Hot flushes are one of the most common — and often disruptive — symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. But while they’re frequently blamed on “low oestrogen,” the real story is a little more complex. Understanding what’s actually happening in the body can help you feel more empowered to manage hot flushes and support your long-term health, regardless of whether or not you choose hormone therapy. What Causes Hot Flushes? It’s true that oestrogen plays a role, but hot flushes

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

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

Heavy periods can feel like they arrive out of nowhere — heavier flow, longer duration, more discomfort, and a big impact on your day-to-day life. If you're in your late 30s or 40s and noticing changes in your cycle, you're not alone. For many women, perimenopause  is when periods begin to shift — and heavier bleeding is one of the most common concerns. The good news? Once we understand what’s driving these changes, there are effective, natural ways to support your body and r

Menopause brings many changes, and one of the most overlooked yet impactful is Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). While it’s often reduced to “vaginal dryness,” GSM is so much more than that—it affects vaginal, bladder, and urinary health, leading to persistent discomfort that doesn’t always improve on its own and has a significant impact on your quality of life. If you’re experiencing vaginal irritation, painful intercourse, frequent UTIs, or bladder urgency, you’re

Evidence-Based Strategies for Weight Management in Perimenopause & Menopause Many women notice changes in their body composition during perimenopause and menopause, often experiencing weight gain, increased abdominal fat, and difficulty losing weight despite maintaining their usual habits. This isn’t just about “slower metabolism” or “eating less and moving more”—hormonal shifts, changes in insulin sensitivity, muscle loss, and inflammation all contribute to how the body regu