Hormone Health Podcast (Georgia Hartmann & Chloe Sheehan)

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

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

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.