This episode is a must for those preparing for labour and birth and for those, including birth partners, who will be present during a labour and birth. We were lucky enough to speak with well-known, Rhea Dempsey, who over the last 40 years has attended thousands of births.

This was such a fascinating chat about:

• The stats mothers are up against birthing in this modern world
• Understanding pain in labour - functional physiological pain vs pathological pain
• The hormonal changes that happen during normal physiological birth - the dance between Queen Oxytocin, Endorphins, and Adrenaline
• The similarities between Runner's High and "the magic of 7cm" during normal physiological birth
• The "Crisis of Confidence" many women face throughout labour
• How to prepare for a powerful, positive birth with tips on creating a conducive environment, when the right time is to get into a birth pool, as well as Rhea's thoughts on tools like the birth comb and the TENS machine

If you are wanting to learn more, Rhea has two phenomenal books - Birth With Confidence and Beyond The Birth Plan.

I know many of you have been longing for this episode so we would absolutely love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or tag us on Instagram.

What can you do to thrive through peri-menopause?

Today we chat with the amazing Kimberly Vucurovic, also known as The Menopause Psychologist. This podcast episode is a must for every woman - whether you are currently in the journey of peri-menopause or whether it feels years away.

We talk about the negative thoughts associated with peri-menopause, the overwhelm, and how we can work to shift our mindset on such a journey.

Download! Share! DM us on Instagram! Flick us an email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com! We'd love to hear your thoughts on this one.

In this weeks episode, we chat to Dr Melanie Jackson, home birth midwife and host of The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast.

Melanie kindly talks us through her personal journey of birthing her two children at home with her learnt experiences as a midwife. Such a powerful birth story, with a sneak peak quote from Mel:

"and I started hysterically laughing like a mad women, and I remember thinking maybe to myself, maybe I should tone this down, and then immediately telling myself ""no Mel, you're amongst friends here and you need to just let out whatever it is you want to do"".

We also chat with Mel all about how she supports her clients attempting Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) at home, along with common VBAC questions and concerns with, and yes - we ask about uterine rupture.

In August this year, Mel is hosting The Convergence of Rebellious Midwives Conference with some incredible birthing experts, an event not to be missed.

As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts so DM us on Instagram or flick an email to hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Content Warning: this episode discusses pregnancy and pregnancy loss which may be triggering for some listeners.

This short and sweet episode touches on a few exciting topics. Georgia has an announcement, we have an update on what's happening at Hormone Health Studio in 2024, and Chloe shares a third trimester pregnancy update.

Thank you for joining us for another year of Hormone Health Podcast and following along on our work and personal journeys. We have so much planned for 2024 and, as always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com

"PCOS- what a stupid, pompous title that is." - Dr Soji Swaraj

Imagine having a hour with an Endocrinologist to ask them all there is to know about PCOS? Well we did, and we couldn't wait to release this episode.

There is so much confusion and shame around PCOS - it's diagnosis; its true effect on fertility; its management. So we got none other than expert in the field, Endocrinologist Dr Soji Swaraj, on the podcast to understand exactly what PCOS is, why it happens, who it happens to (hint: Olympians and Netballers get a special mention), and how we can best manage it.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with PCOS, this episode is not to be missed.

As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts so DM us on Instagram or flick an email to hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

You may have already heard of Lauren, she is the face of One Mama Midwife whose highly regarded Antenatal and Birth Classes are offered across Sydney, Central Coast and Brisbane.

Lauren is a mum of four, and has experienced four cesareans, all with a differing reasons and experiences. In this episode, we chat to Lauren about cesareans (of course)- her personal experiences, how she supports her clients through planned or emergency C-sections, and the journey of a maternally-assisted cesarean section.

Whether you are currently pregnant, are planning on becoming pregnant, are booked for a planned C-section, or are wanting to learn how you can have a positive, beautiful cesarean, we think you'll really enjoy our chat with Lauren.

Also, for those who have previously had a cesarean, Lauren is currently undertaking research into the lived experiences of women who have had a cesarean. If you are interested in sharing your story, you can visit this link.

As always, we'd love to hear your feedback. Send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Seven in ten people will experience some degree of nausea and vomiting in their pregnancy. Was that you, or were you one of the lucky ones who didn't feel unwell?

Unfortunately 1-3% of people will be diagnosed with a serve form of pregnancy sickness known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum (AKA HG).

HG can be completely debilitating and negatively influence almost all aspects of your health and life as you knew it - even proving to be fatal to foetus and mum if not managed correctly.

So when we say we are very excited about the new research confirming a direct link with a hormone that causes Pregnancy Nausea and Vomiting and HG, we mean we are very excited!

For far too long, the inequities with women's health care has been so bolding underrepresented and this new research may provide much needed support and reprieve for those who are and have suffered with HG.

Please note, the advice given in this episode is of general nature and should not replace any treatment given by your primary care provider. This episode also discusses pregnancy loss.

This week’s episode is for you if you are embarking on an assisted reproductive technology (ART) journey to conceive as a same sex couple, or going it alone using donor sperm.

Sam and Lauren are two of our lovely clients at Hormone Health Studio who have kindly shared their personal IVF and health journey with us, and all we can say is WOW - what a couple!

We ask them how they navigated the more technical side of having a baby from the referrals, appointments and sperm donor decisions to deciding who will undergo egg collection and who would carry the pregnancy.

Along the way, Sam and Lauren both uncovered health concerns which left them jumping hurdles in what they assumed would be a relatively straightforward process.

An episode not to be missed! And, as always, we'd absolutely love to hear your thoughts. You can email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or DM us on Instagram.

Please note: this episode does discuss early pregnancy loss.

This weeks episode we are chatting with our very own Hormone Health Studio Naturopath, T'Keyah all about her home birth.

Before we get into the juicy details of her birth, T'Keyah talks us through her preconception planning, fertility journey and how she decided that homebirth with a private midwife would be her chosen model of care throughout her pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

T'Keyah shares practical advice on how she prepared her body for birth, and more importantly, how she created her desired environment during the early postpartum period.

So whether you are interested in a home birth, or you are just wanting some valuable information about how to feel empowered through your pregnancy journey, this episode is worth a listen.

T'Keyah has also kindly shared a listed of her favourite home birth resources which you can find as a post on @hormonehealthstudio instagram page.

And as always, we'd love to hear from you, so flick us a hello on socials or reach out via email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

You may have heard about the gut microbiome and its influence on digestive concerns, anxiety, energy, weight. But have you heard about the vaginal microbiome

This is a fascinating new area of research that is providing valuable insight into how the vaginal microbiome might be affecting common concerns including thrush, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal dryness or burning, different discharge colours and smells, as well as fertility outcomes.

In this episode we chat about the common vaginal concerns our team of Naturopaths see at Hormone Health Studio as well as the testing we often order for our clients to gain a thorough understanding of how the vaginal microbiome may be affecting our health.

Enjoy this deep dive and let us know your learnings at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or send us a DM on Instagram.

We hear a lot about the harmful effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on our hormones. For example, there is a link between exposure to phthalates, parabens, bisphenols (and other EDCs) on fertility, egg and sperm quality, IVF outcomes, and also conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disorders, weight, the list goes on.

So one of the first (and simple) steps we can take to avoid the harmful effects of EDCs is by reducing our exposure to such chemicals in our skin care products. That's why this week we got Anna Mitsios on the podcast. Anna is a naturopath and the founder of the clean skin care range Edible Beauty.

We pick her brain about how to manage common skin concerns such as acne, psoriasis and dermatitis; the importance of avoiding EDCs; using SPF for healthy skin ageing; how long it takes to notice improvements in skin; and much more!

An episode not to be missed! Let us know your thoughts. Send an email to hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or DM us on Instagram. And to try the beautiful range of Edible Beauty range, click here.

All too often, our clients at Hormone Health Studio first present to us with period pain. The number one question we ask is: What is causing the period pain? Is it related to the food they are eating? Is it related to their lifestyle? Or is it something more serious such as Adenomyosis or Endometriosis?

In this week's episode we dive into the complexity of period pain. This is an episode to be shared with all of your girlfriends.

It's time we create a path to pain-free periods.We'd love to hear your journey with period pain. Send us an email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or DM us on Instagram.

Lucy Lines is an Embryologist, Fertility Educator and IVF Advocate and she runs @twolinesfertility instagram page where she shares so much valuable information.

We were lucky to speak to Lucy all about how to prepare for IVF when that's been your recommended next step on your fertility journey.

A must listen to all on the IVF journey! Be sure to let us know your thoughts - send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

In this week's episode we chat about Matrescence - the process of becoming a mother.

Similar to adolescence, matrescence is a time of enormous transition. Something we often disregard as people enter parenthood.

So today we speak with counsellor, psychotherapist, founder of Mind Momentum, and mum of 2, Wendy Gilroy all about this process and how mother's can support themselves through such transformative years.

Georgia also speaks about her experience with 'Mum rage' and how she was not prepared for such a change in her mental health.

An episode not to be missed! And to be shared among the mothers and mothers-to-be in our communities. Let us know what you think of this episode. Email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or DM us on instagram.

Whens launching Hormone Health Podcast, it was a goal to interview everyday people who have undergone extraordinary health journey's. Kate's is one such example. In today's episode we chat with Chloe's ex-boss all about her journey with abnormal cervical screenings and amidst the concern that she may never be able to conceive, she is nearing 39 weeks of her uncomplicated pregnancy.

It is through stories like these that we can truly normalise the conversation about fertility difficulties and unite in the comfort that we each have hurdles to face. Hurdles to jump over. And hurdles to look back on with real accomplishment.

If you would like to share your health journey with us on Hormone Health Podcast, send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

There has been a lot of interest in the gut microbiome of recent years. We know the health of our gut is linked with digestive systems such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and flatulence. But it is also linked with brain health.

In today's episode we are talking all about how the gut microbiome influences neurotransmitters and feelings of anxiety. This episode is a reflection of a recent seminar Georgia hosted at Elysia Health Retreat and is a breakdown of how anxiety presents in the body; how gut health influences the brain; and how to start modulating the gut microbiome to help manage anxiety.

An episode not to be missed! Have a listen, leave your thoughts in a review, and as always, we'd love to hear your thoughts and takeaways! DM us on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Understanding hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle allows us to make sense of not only our fertile window but also how our mood, energy, gut health, endurance and resilience may be related to hormones.

In this weeks episode we dive deep into the phases of the menstrual cycle and how to track it properly using the tools of basal body temperature and cervical mucus. You will hear Georgia talk about an interesting study showing that only 13% of people ovulate on Day 14 of the cycle. And Chloe mention 'ferning'.

An episode not to be missed - whether you are trying to conceive or whether you simply want to understand your body!

As always, we;d love to hear from you so flick us a hello on Instagram or an email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

This week we chat with mum of two and founder of Female Focus Physiotherapy, Erin Cuskelly, all about the pelvic floor.

Before we jump into this insightful chat, we speak about our upcoming fundraiser - Pink Elephants Phunking Epic Fundraiser which is going to be held at Earp Bros Distillery in Carrington NSW on Saturday 14 October 2023. Click here to purchase your ticket - we'd absolutely love and appreciate your support.

Understanding the pelvic floor is important for women of all ages to ensure we can prevent and manage any unwanted symptoms. We speak with Erin about the importance of the pelvic floor in Endometriosis (here is the Instagram Reel we refer to);what pelvic floor exercises actually look like; hypotonic versus hypertonic pelvic floor during pregnancy; when to see a women's health physiotherapy during pregnancy; and how the pelvic floor affects transition into peri-menopause and menopause.

A huge topic! And as always, we'd love to hear from you so flick us a hello on Instagram or an email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

We love hearing real health and fertility stories from real people, and so this week we are dedicating this episode to some special individuals with their own unique health journeys, our sisters.Chloe's sister Phoebe was 25 when she was diagnosed with unexplained fertility and low egg reserve. She talks us through what led to this diagnosis and how she overcame this to conceive her daughter through IVF, all the while supporting women through pregnancy, loss, termination and infertility as a clinical nurse consultant of gynaecology.

We also hear from Georgia's sister D'Arcy, who has had a long battle with endometriosis. D'Arcy talks us through her symptoms, symptom management and the impact of pelvic pain on her mental health and relationships. We also hear how D'Arcy finally received a diagnosis of endometriosis and what ultimately led her to the decision of a hysterectomy at 30 years old. D'Arcy is a strong advocate for people seeking professional support and care for pelvic pain, and gives her advice for people who may be wondering what to do next.

We know you are going to love this week's episode, as many of our listeners either experience fertility hurdles or chronic pelvic pain.

If you have your own unique health or fertility journey, we'd love to hear from you or even better yet, have you on the podcast!

Send us an email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or reach out on instagram @hormonehealthstudio

Have you ever wondered why some days you feel so strong and full of endurance while training and others you feel weak and exhausted? Well, we might just have the answer for you.

Hormones fluctuate all the time. And understanding the hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle help women exercise in a way that actually feels good.

So in this week's episode, we chat with Sports Nutritionist and Naturopath, Kira Sutherland, about how to get the most out of the exercise we do. We chat hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, how to approach conditions such as hypothalamic amenorrhoea, insulin resistance, and exercising throughout perimenopause.

Let us know your thoughts about this episode on Instagram @hormonehealthstudio or via email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

"Why am I tired?" is one of the most common questions we are asked at Hormone Health Studio. So in this week's episode we are talking all about energy - what it is, what factors affect it, and how we can start improving our energy today.

While the answer to low energy can sometimes be as simple as a nutrient deficiency (hello: iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D), in other cases, fatigue can result from a combination of factors. Discover the role of hormones, gut health, genetics, sleep, stress, exercise, environmental toxins, infections, and so much more.

And for those following along, here is our blog post on how to improve sleep quality, and here are our 3 steps to transforming stress.

As always, we'd love to hear from you - reach us on instagram @hormonehealthstudio or via email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

In this week's episode we speak with the phenomenal naturopath, author and lecturer, Lisa Costa-Bir, who shines light on the complexities of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

These are two conditions we see commonly at Hormone Health Studio and considering Lisa has both lived in experiences with these conditions as well as extensive clinical experience, we are so excited to bring her onto the podcast this week.

We chat symptoms, testing, prevalence, and practical tips for those who may be experiencing Hashimoto's and PMDD. And we also introduce our brand-spanking-new segment called Quickie in 3. So enjoy this episode, leave us a review and shoot us a DM on instagram @hormonehealthstudio.

In this episode, we are talking about the complexity of libido, and how hormones throughout your lifespan can influence your libido.

We look at the hormonal milestones such as pregnancy, postpartum and peri-menopause and how they influence libido, as well as the impact hormonal contraceptives and certain medications have on libido. We also give some Naturopathic strategies on how to improve libido naturally.

Chloe also shares how infertility and pregnancy loss has impacted her relationship and what libido looks like on such a journey. If you love this episode, please share it and leave us a review! And be sure to follow along on socials @hormonehealthstudio and flick us an email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Bernadette Lack, or more colloquially known as B, is a midwife, PT, mum of 2 and fellow prolapser.

Our conversation with B was delightfully multilayered, like a fresh croissant. We spoke about her personal experience with incontinence and prolapse, and her current work supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood through her businesses Core & Floor Restore, and Motheration.

B's work and dedication to the pelvic floor is undeniable and in this episode she provides such useful information on how we can all support our pelvic floor health throughout the varying stages of life.

"The amount of appointments we have in pregnancy compared to postpartum and what is actually covered in the postpartum appointments is typically topics like how to return to sex via the discussion of contraception without actually looking at the whole person".

You can find B here:

• Core & Floor Restore
• Motheration
• The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com

In today’s episode, we are delving deep into one of the most common hormonal disturbances affecting women of reproductive age - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS affects our hormones, but it's not just a hormonal condition…If this intrigues you, then you’re in the right place because we have dedicated the next 30minutes to give you a detailed conversation on the hormonal, metabolic and psychological factors surrounding PCOS.

Some topics we cover in this episode:

How does PCOS affect the whole body?

Do I have to have insulin resistance to have PCOS?

Criteria to diagnose PCOS

Naturopathic and conventional management of PCOS

Lean vs. classic PCOS, what do we know?

Common PCOS misconceptions

Follow us on Instagram @hormonehealthstudio, or check out our website to book an in person or online appointment with one of our amazing Naturopaths: www.hormonehealthstudio.com

Presented by Georgia Hartmann and Chloe Sheehan.

Want to reach out? Please email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com

Enjoy the Hormone Health Podcast and follow along on socials at @hormonehealthstudio and www.hormonehealthstudio.com.

Today's episode is all about pregnancy loss. We know this can be a very sensitive topic and we discusses the different types of pregnancy loss as well as Chloe's personal journey with recurrent pregnancy loss. Our aim for this episode is to normalise conversations around pregnancy loss in hope that you or someone you love can listen and feel less alone. We also share details of our Pink Elephants Phunking Epic Fundraiser which is on Saturday 14 October at Earp Bros Distillery here in Newcastle. Click here to grab a ticket and help us put the fun back in fun-draiser. As always, we hope you enjoy! Follow us on instagram @hormonehealthstudio for more hormone health content and visit www.hormonehealthstudio.com for further blog posts and to book an appointment with one of our practitioners. You can also reach us via email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

This short and sweet episode touches on one of the most common complaints we see at Hormone Health Studio - urinary tract infections (UTIs).

We talk about exactly what UTIs are, who is most at risk, how the vaginal microbiome plays a role, same goes with hormones, and of course what you can start doing to get on top of recurrent UTIs.

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

*Please note that ehen Chloe mentioned uric acid crystals, she is also referring to other types of urine crystals such as Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) which can coincide with UTI's.

Seed Cycling - a bit of "woo woo" or a useful approach to using food as a nutritional tool for improving menstrual cycle symptoms?

This this episode we chat with Sarina Coventry, a Nutritionist who uses Seed Cycling in her clinical practice with great results. She gives us a thorough insight into:

• What is Seed Cycling?
• How does one Seed Cycle?
• Who is Seed Cycling beneficial for?
• The nitty gritty of how Seed Cycling works to improve menstrual cycle symptoms.

If you are interested in starting seed cycling or keen to learn more about how it could be helpful for you, you can visit The Seed Cycle

Use SARINA20 for 20% off your first purchase.

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com

Natalie Kringoudis has an impressive bio...and it's no surprise considering she is THE Hormone Revolutionist.

With over 20 years of experience supporting women as a TCM Practitioner, herbalist and Acupuncturist, Nat has gained a deep understanding of how and why we can experience particular symptoms and how to manage them.

In this episode, Nat shares with us how she started her career and the many individuals she has supported over the years, as well as her own very recent experience of an extended fast. An episode full of great insights and one not to be missed!

Have a listen and let us know your thoughts - flick us an email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or a DM on Instagram.

On average, around 80% of us with a period will experience Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

PMS symptoms can vary from one individual to another, and can be broken in subtypes such as physical, psychological, cognitive and behavioural.

Can you believe that there were Canadian researchers in 2012 who tried to conclude that there wasn't a valid explanation for PMS and that it could be a "made up" condition?

Anyway - this episode Chloe and Georgia take a deep dive into understanding PMS and touch on these questions:

• What are some common symptoms,
• Why PMS occurs,
• PMS vs PMDD
• What's makes PMS worse
• And what can we do to improve it?

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on instagram or email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com

Do you have golden poo? Or, are you like the majority of us and have reduce microbial diversity in our guts?

In this episode we chat to self regarded Gut Nerd, Dr Brad Leech all about the complexity of the gut microbiome. Since graduating from his Health Science Degree in Naturopathy, Brad has gone on to further his education regarding gut health - so we had some questions for this gut expert....

1. What the hell is your microbiome?
2. How can you test or measure your microbiome?
3. How do hormonal conditions like PCOS and Endometriosis affect your gut health?
4. Can your intimate partner influence your own gut microbiome?
5. What are your top three tips to improve your gut health and microbiome diversity?

So if you're a practitioner or love learning about the gut, make sure you are prepared with bring a pen and paper to take notes because there are lots of golden nuggets (excuse the pun) in this episode.

Dr. Brad Leech also offers mentoring and education courses on his website which you can visit here

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com

Elle Brown is a Clinical Nutritionist with a special interest in the Nervous System. In this episode we discuss with Elle how what we think and feel on a daily basis can have a physical impact on us in the form of symptoms.

Elle mentions that every client she see's, no matter what health concern they are coming in with can benefit from learning how to support their Nervous System, which may also look like introducing practices such as Clinical Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as EFT. She even walks us through a quick example of how to perform EFT.

So find a quiet half an hour to yourself, make a warm drink, put your feet up and listen to the calming and wise words of Elle.

As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts so DM us on Instagram or flick an email to hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

In this episode, we delve into a recent study published Dietary Modification and Supplement Use For Endometriosis Pain (March 2025) that investigates the role of dietary modifications and supplement use in managing endometriosis-related pain. The research, conducted by a team from the University of Edinburgh and University College Cork, explores how certain dietary patterns and supplements may influence pain levels in individuals with endometriosis.

Strengths

• Comprehensive Approach: The study examines both dietary changes and supplement use, providing a holistic view of non-pharmacological interventions for endometriosis pain.
• Collaborative Research: The involvement of multiple institutions enhances the study’s credibility and depth of analysis.
• Open Access Publication: Being published in an open-access journal ensures that the findings are readily available to the public, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
• Large Sample Size: The study surveyed 2,388 women with confirmed endometriosis, providing a substantial dataset for analysis.
• High Engagement: A significant majority of participants (84%) reported making dietary changes, with 67% noting pain improvement. Additionally, 59% used supplements, and 43% found them beneficial.
• Identification of Specific Interventions: The study pinpointed particular dietary modifications and supplements associated with pain relief, such as:
  • Reducing alcohol (53% reported improvement)
  • Limiting gluten and dairy (45% each)
  • Decreasing caffeine intake (43%)
  • Adopting a low FODMAP diet (32%)
  • Following a Mediterranean diet (29%)

• Relevance to Complementary Therapies: The study sheds light on non-pharmacological approaches that many women with endometriosis are exploring to manage their symptoms.

Limitations

1. Observational Design: As an observational study, it cannot establish causality between dietary changes or supplement use and pain reduction.
2. Self-Reported Data: The reliance on participants’ recollection of dietary changes and pain levels introduces potential recall bias, affecting data accuracy.
3. Lack of Control Group: Without a control group, it’s challenging to determine whether observed improvements are due to the interventions or other factors.
4. Variability in Interventions: The study did not standardize the types or amounts of dietary changes and supplements, making it difficult to assess specific effects.
5. Potential Placebo Effect: Participants’ expectations and beliefs about the efficacy of dietary changes and supplements might have influenced their perception of pain relief.

Join us as we discuss the implications of this study for those living with endometriosis and consider how diet and supplements might play a role in pain management strategies.

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Samantha Payne founded The Pink Elephant Support Network 9 years ago, on the back of her own personal experience with pregnancy loss. We are excited to chat to Sam today about her tenacity for change and her passion for driving awareness and support for women, couples, and individuals who experience early pregnancy loss in Australia.

Sam shares: "if one of my children in 20 years time had to face the journey of miscarriage, it better bloody be different to what it is now".

Pink Elephant's is a platform that offers tiered support for your individual needs at a time of loss. Something Chloe personally found helpful on her journey. If you, too, have experienced pregnancy loss, you may find these links useful:

• Your Support Journey
• Help a Loved One
• How to Get Involved and Raise Awareness

The Pink Elephants also share some incredible resources on their instagram @pinkelephantssupport page or you can find their Podcast, The Miscarriage Rebellion here.

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Husky, sniffly voices from Chloe and Georgia in their timely episode covering all things sickness, in particular Winter viruses.

Some topics covered in this episode include:

• Why do we get more sick in Winter?
• Factors that increase your risk of sickness (such as super common nutritional deficiencies)
• Fever - should you let it run it's course?
• Our favourite Naturopathic herbs and supplements to use when we're sick
• Also, have you ever heard of leisure sickness? Also known as Holiday Sickness Syndrome. In this episode, we explore why some people get sick just as they start to unwind—and what you can do to avoid it.

Resources

Sleep and our immunity

• Reduced sleep, particularly shorter than 7–9 hours, is associated with increased URTIs. Strategies improving sleep should be explored to prevent URTIs. PMID: 33997896

Nasal saline spray and reducing viral symptom duration:

• Study protocol of the Edinburgh and Lothian Virus Intervention Study in Kids: a randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nose drops in children with upper respiratory tract infections (ELVIS Kids). PMID: 33952557
• Nasal sprays and behavioural interventions compared with usual care for acute respiratory illness in primary care: a randomised, controlled, open-label, parallel-group trial. Lancet ISSN: 2213-2600

Thanks for listening!

As always, you can find more information about our team on Instagram at @hormonehealthstudio or if you would like to reach out to us, you can email hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

A bite sized ep (actually closer to a full meal) but this week's episode is all about protein! And in particular, why protein is so incredibly important for us as women and those with a menstrual cycle.

Protein directly influences how our hormones function, as it's protein thats responsible for the synthesis of oestrogen and progesterone which regulate our menstrual cycle AND the hormone insulin that regulates our appetite, energy and cravings.

Learn how how much protein you should be eating, take a deep dive into the protein leverage hypothesis and hear Chloe's analogy to explain reaching your daily protein targets.

Georgia also gives us an insight into our Feel Good Program, a self paced 4 week program focusing on sustainable weight loss, improved energy, and overall wellness, centred around targeted nutrition and how to meet individual protein requirements. Click here to access our Feel Good Program.

Thanks for listening!

As always, you can find more information about our team over at @hormonehealthstudio or if you would like to reach out to us, you can email hello@hormonehealthstudio.com

Another birth story to kick off season three of Hormone Health Podcast. For this week's episode we hear from Georgia who welcomed her third baby, little Lottie into the world via a beautiful home birth experience in August 2024.

Georgia talks us through her decision to try for a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) at home after her second birth resulted in an emergency caesarean due to breech position. If you have experienced a VBAC before, you may resonate with Georgias feelings of increasing anticipation, doubt and excitement as labour and birth approach, these feelings only intensifying as you go beyond your "due date", or in Georgias case... up to 42 weeks and 1 day. Georgia talks us through her tactics to support whilst she was labouring, making a special mention to her TENS machine and her birthing affirmation "I can, and I will".

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy!

As always, we would love to hear from you if you had any podcast feedback, or would like to hear any specific topics or stories. You can reach out to us at: hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or a DM on Instagram.

We're back for our third season after a mini (maxi) hiatus from the microphones. During this time away, Georgia and Chloe both welcomed their beautiful baby girls into the world, adding to the ever growing Hormone Health Studio girl gang.

So thanks for being here, for welcoming us back into your ears, and we hope you stick around for what will be an awesome next chapter in the Hormone Health Podcast series.

To mark the month of April being caesarean awareness month, today's episode is Chloes recount of her birth story to her daughter Olive. This episode discusses Chloe's the details of her induced labour which required a caesarean along with other positive and not so positive recounts from her birth experience (hello balloon catheter). She also shares some helpful resources on preparing from induction and caesarean and supporting recovery.

We hope you enjoy and thanks for listening.

Episode Resources

• The meta analysis Chloe was referring to in the podcast (PMID: 23834460)
• C-Section Scar release by Maddy from BodyLane
• Helpful instagram account: @OneMammaMidwife

As always, you can find more information about our team over at @hormonehealthstudio or if you would like to reach out to us, you can email hello@hormonehealthstudio.com

In this weeks episode we’re exploring why women’s bodies respond differently to diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes compared to men — and why the same strategies for weight loss don’t always work.

Women’s physiology is different, not defective - and understanding those differences is the key to creating real, sustainable results

Here's a little sneak-peek into some of the topics we discuss:

1. Why diets don't work in the long run
2. Hormones that drive weight gain
3. Moving smarter, not harder
4. Five foundations for lasting change.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated that the usual approaches just don’t work for you, this episode will give you clarity, and a fresh perspective on working with your body, not against it.

For 10% off our Feel Good Program, use the code "PODCAST"

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

*Episode warning*This episode touches on the topic of weight loss. I want to acknowledge that conversations around body weight can feel triggering, especially if you’ve experienced body dissatisfaction or disordered eating. Please know that our focus is not on shrinking bodies, but on supporting health, energy, and feeling at home in your body. If weight loss talk feels unhelpful for you right now, feel free to skip this episode or come back to it when it feels safe.

Period pain is experienced by 90% (yes! 90%!!) of tweens and teens — but how much is “normal,” and when should you seek help?

In this episode, we explore what period pain actually is, why it happens, and how common it really is among our teens and teens in Australia. We’ll unpack the difference between mild, manageable cramps and severe pain that could signal conditions like endometriosis, plus introduce the PIPPA tool — a simple way to screen whether period pain needs further medical attention.

You’ll also learn about both conventional and natural approaches for managing pain and heavy bleeding, from over the counter medications, hormone medications, to the latest research on nutrients herbal options.

Whether you’re a parent or primary care giver, or a teen navigating new cycles, or a health professional, this episode will give you practical tools and insights to make periods a healthier, less disruptive experience.

Episode Resources

• Period ImPact and Pain Assessment (PIPPA) Online Screening Tool
• Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia
• Efficacy of Ginger in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
• Effect of Curcumin on Dysmenorrhea and Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
• The Efficacy of Zinc Administration in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Tween/Teen Period Care Resources

• ModiBodi Period Underwear
• KMART Period Belt
• TENS machine: Tap. 2
• Wet Pouch (A handy school bag-sized is designed to keep her worn storage safely stashed away when she's managing her period away from home).

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Today we’re joined by Madeline Longrigg, founder of Body Lane, a Brisbane-based clinic specialising in myotherapy, C-section scar release, and pregnancy and postpartum support. Madeline is also the creator of the C-Section Release Method, a hands-on training course that equips practitioners to support post-surgical healing and recovery.

In this episode, Maddie takes us on a deep dive into C-section scars - the physical and emotional healing journey, how a scar should feel, symptoms that manifest from poor scar healing and how you can start improving your scar right now in the comfort of your home.

Maddie finishes this conversation up with a beautifully guided touch visualisation for you, the listener.

I know you're going to love this ep, enjoy!

Services available:

• Practitioner Training: C-Section Release Method
• Online C-Section Scar Release Course for Mums: coming soon! Make sure you're following @bodylane_ for updates.
• In person treatments available in Brisbane: Body Lane, 89 Beatrice Terrace, Ascot QLD 4007
• Purchase the Scar Release Kit
• C-Section Release Practitioner List

In this episode, we are speaking with Renée Grandi all about "Endometriosis Brain"

Renee is a Neuroscience Researcher with a Master’s in Neuroscience and a clinical background as a Naturopath and Clinical Nutritionist. She is also the founder of the Women’s Integrative Health Clinic, where she focuses on complex conditions such as endometriosis, autoimmune disorders, and chronic fatigue, particularly their effects on the brain and nervous system.

- When we talk about endometriosis, it’s usually framed around pelvic pain and reproductive health. But the impact of endometriosis goes far beyond the pelvis—right into the brain and nervous system. In this episode, we dive deep into the neuroscience of endometriosis, exploring how chronic pain reshapes the brain, why mental health struggles are so common, and what this means for healing.

Here’s what we cover in this conversation:

• What is the “endometriosis brain”? Understanding how this term captures the neurological and psychological dimensions of endometriosis.
• Endometriosis and mental health: The strong links between pain, mood, and cognitive changes.
• Central sensitisation explained: How bottom-up and top-down pathways, neurotransmitters, and even the brain’s detox systems contribute to neuropathic pain.
• What brain imaging shows us: Key research findings on the differences in the brains of women with symptomatic versus asymptomatic endometriosis.
• How pain rewires the nervous system: A closer look at the regions of the brain involved, how they interconnect, and what this means for the symptoms women experience.
• The role of stress, trauma, and hormones: How external and internal factors can trigger or intensify symptoms.
• The glymphatic system: A newer area of neuroscience research that sheds light on brain inflammation and pain in endometriosis.
• Therapeutic goals: Why supporting the brain and nervous system is just as important as treating physical symptoms.
• Practical strategies for healing: From medical to integrative and lifestyle approaches, ways to help rebalance the nervous system and reduce pain.
• A message of hope: What women need to know about the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and heal.

✨ Whether you’re living with endometriosis, supporting someone who is, or curious about the mind-body connection in chronic pain, this episode offers a science-driven, compassionate perspective on the “endometriosis brain.”

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Sorry we ghosted you, but here's the tea on where the bloody hell we've been!

Also, this weeks episode we're exploring the gut–brain axis, and a program called Nerva that we've been recommending to clients for a few years now with some genuinely incredible results.

We're joined by Amy Coen, Accredited Practising Dietitian at Nerva, a clinically validated gut-brain therapy program for IBS and other disorders of gut-brain interaction. Amy brings firsthand clinical experience as well insight into her role educating healthcare practitioners across Australia to deepen their understanding of the gut-brain axis and its role in gastrointestinal symptoms.

In this episode we cover:

• What the gut–brain axis actually is (and why it matters for digestive symptoms)
• How the brain influences bloating, pain and bowel changes
• What Nerva is, how it's structured, and who it's for?
• How long before people start noticing results?
• Some interesting (and funny) case studies - #freethefart
• Why hypnotherapy can feel confronting — and what the science actually says
• Is Nerva appropriate for those with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis?

So whether you're a practitioner or someone navigating your own gut health journey, this one is worth a listen.

If you are interested in Nerva and you are a current or prospective client - please reach out to us at directly hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or get some further information on Nervas website or Youtube.

Something is shifting. The way we talk about Herpes in 2026 looks nothing like it did ten years ago.

This episode is dedicated to changing the way we speak about this very, very common virus - Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Because HSV affects an enormous proportion of the global population, yet it remains one of the most stigmatised, misunderstood, and under-discussed diagnoses in sexual health.

Today we're joined by Jessie, Naturopath and founder of Botanical Abundance, who specialises in hormonal, vaginal, and sexual health.

In this episode, we're going more than skin deep. We're talking about how common HSV actually is, how it spreads, why so many people go undiagnosed for years, where the stigma came from, how naturopathic care can support people, including neurodivergent folk living with HSV, what it means for fertility and pregnancy, and what someone who has just been diagnosed actually needs to hear right now.

Let's get this episode to Go Viral, excuse the pun... But this conversation is one everyone needs to be having.

Episode Resources

• Jessie-Anne, Botanical Abundance - Join her waitlist for "The Ultimate Guide to Herpes"
• Comfortable In My Skin - Herpes Stories
• Good Vibes Clinic
• @IntimateEcology

Abbreviations Used

• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
• MetaDaddy aka @Meta

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.