How does my DNA affect my hormones - and mood, skin, hair, fertility, menopause and perimenopause experience? Our genes alone don’t - it’s a combination of three elements; genes + environmental & lifestyle factors+ small genetic changes called SNPs which determine our health outcomes.

One of my favourite supplements is a small amino acid - Glycine. Specialising in supporting women in perimenopause and menopause, I particularly love this supplement as it helps to improve 2 common symptoms in my clients - improving sleep and lessening hot flushes.

Oestrogens are important players in our overall metabolic regulation. So, in menopause and late stages of perimenopause when we lose the main circulating oestrogen, 17-estradiol, side effects can go way beyond reproductive health.

Heavy flooding periods can occur in the life stage of Perimenopause - why? During a regular menstrual cycle, oestrogen and progesterone rise and fall in a relatively consistent way. However, in perimenopause, that consistency changes - our hormones rebel and stop following the plan.

Endometriosis affects up to 176 million women worldwide. Too often Endometriosis is pigeonholed as a “hormonal problem”, because of oestrogen dominance. Endometriosis is not a hormonal condition. It’s affected by oestrogen but is not caused by oestrogen or a dominance of oestrogen.

More and more I’m hearing that teens who present with PMS, painful periods that include symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, mood swings, depression, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, acne are increasingly offered the oral contraceptive pill - FULL STOP. End of story.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) suppress stomach acid. Stomach acid is essential for our digestive and overall health. And lack of stomach acid is linked to a variety of adverse health consequences.

Wildly swinging levels of oestrogen is the driving force behind many characteristics of perimenopause. I want to spend some time focusing on this life stage, rather than menopause. Perimenopause is the transition period from our reproductive adulthood to menopause (1 year after the last menstruation), and can begin as early as 35 and end as late as 59, the uniqueness of womanhood can be seen right there!

I have been guiding 45 fabulous practitioners through the programme of over 200 hours of education and support: from the latest ‘must-knows’ in Integrative & Functional Medicine to developing clinical case taking skills, reviewing & discussing cases & understanding how to grow each business and attract the right clients.