Melbourne Naturopathy

In reality a womans menstrual cycle should come and go with ease and no problem. However, stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, enviromental factors, poor liver and thyroid function, gut dysbiosis, IBS, and nutritional deficiencies can disrupt hormone balance. This can lead to many hormonal conditions such as:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Endometriosis
• Amenorrhoea
• Menorrhagia
• Dysmenorrhoea
• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Uterine fibroids
• Pre and Post menopausal symptoms. eg Hot flushes

The good news is that there are many natural medicines available to help restore these hormone imbalances. By also addressing nutritional deficiencies and factors such as stress, diet and lifestyle many of these conditions can be either severely reduced, manageable or completely gone.

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal condition where there is an overproduction of the male hormone testosterone in a womens system.

Symptoms include excessive facial and abdominal hair, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, acne, increase in weight (especially around the abdomen ), high testosterone levels, low SHBG, and imbalance in blood sugars.

ENDOMETRIOSIS

This is a hormonal condition where the lining of the uterus is found in sites outside the uterus. This can cause severe pain, infertility, period pain, PMS, muscle aches, fatigue, and lethergy.

AMENORRHOEA

This refers to irregular menstruation during a womans reproductive years. Contributing factors may include: PCOS, low body weight, stress, anorexia, excess dieting ,over exercising and pituitary tumors.

MENORRHAGIA

This hormonal condition refers to heavy and prolonged bleeding. Its usually associated with excess oestrogen production and too little progesterone during the cycle. Causes are associated with hormonal imbalance, especially during menopause. Other contributing factors may include: stress, low iron, dietary factors, fibroids, uterine polyps and thyroid dysfunction.

DYSMENORRHEA

This refers to painful periods. Its due to the increase production of the wrong oestrogens which cause pain, inflammation, cramping before or during bleeding.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

This is the most common hormonal imbalance which occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Its due to low progesterone, excess oestrogen, stress, thyroid dysfunction, stress and weight issues. Symptoms include:

• Anxiety/ depression & nervous tension,
• Mood swings & irritability
• Fatigue & Insomnia
• Poor concentration, mental confusion, forgetfulness
• Headaches & migraines
• Breast tenderness & swelling
• Abdominal bloating & swelling
• Craving for chocolate, carbohydrates, fatty foods, alcohol

UTERINE FIBROIDS

These are benign growths that can cause heavy bleeding, frequent urination, anaemia, pain and constipation. They can also be asymptomatic.

MENOPAUSE

This is a natural progression in every womans life and signifies the end of a womans fertility. Symptoms can occur any where between the ages of 45 and 60 years and can last between 2 3 years, but can vary from women to women.

Symptoms include: hot flushes, night sweats, irregular cycles, mood swings, vaginal dryness, depression, insomnia and fatigue. Symptoms vary from mild to severe and are influenced by diet, stress, liver and bowel health and lifestyle factors.

Natural Fertility

WHAT IS NATURAL FERTILITY PLANNING

Natural Fertility Planning, or Pre-conception care refers to optimising your health and addressing health issues before you become pregnant in order to keep you, your partner and your baby as healthy as possible. Pre-conception care is the ultimate form of preventative medicine. Being prepared and ensuring you and your partner are in the best health possible can positively influence your childs health and quality of life for years to come.

This can be achieved through nutritional supplements, herbs, diet and lifestyle changes, cycle charting, and pathology testing.

Men have more than just a small part to play in the conception and the health of their baby, and should also be targets for preconception care. Development of healthy sperm is not only important because it delivers half of the genetic materials to form the baby; it also plays an important role in successful fertilisation and pregnancy outcomes.

Having problems conceiving can be due to stress, toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, obesity, hormone imbalances, low sperm count in males, excess alcohol, smoking and poor diet.
Sometimes there is no obvious reason at all.

Some of the steps involved in preconception care includes:

• An integrated detoxification program
• Screening for heavy metal toxicity
• Checking for essential nutrients
• Eating healthy organic food as much as possible
• Exercise
• Drinking adequate filtered water
• Avoiding toxic chemicals and radiation
• Avoiding drugs, smoking, excess caffeine and unnecessary medications
• Taking required supplements
• Treating any genito- urinary tract infections/ allergies/ immune system problems
• Relaxation techniques,eg. yoga/ meditation

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