Category Archives: Women’s Health

A girls guide to treating a UTI without getting Thrush in it’s wake

Women's Health No Comments

Starting out in the dating world and running the gauntlet of STI’s & UTI’s (not to mention unplanned pregnancies) can be enough to drive a girl wild!

In these heady years of partying and new relationships, a girl’s genitourinary health is at high risk of infection.

UTI’s or Urinary Tract Infections are extremely common and very uncomfortable. They can result in urinary frequency that makes it hard to walk for fear of needing to pee. It can also cause pain on urination.

If you are unlucky enough to have the bacteria responsible travel from the bladder to the kidneys then you will develop a kidney infection known as Cystitis. It can create a fever and pain in the lower back along with the other urinary symptoms.

Altogether a miserable experience and one that can be repeated many times over.

The usual treatment approach is to see your GP and have a urine sample to confirm the bacterial infection. If positive, a course of antiboitics will ensure.

Simples…right, all sorted or so you thought!

While the antibotics will kill off the offending bacteria, they will also kill of your protective bacteria which helps to prevent further infections.

The result is a higher liklihood of contracting another UTI down the track with the need for yet more antibiotics!

Each subsequent time you use antibotics you run the risk of becoming resistant to their benefits. The overuse of antiboitcs means that they will become less able to clear the infection as they once did.

Add to this lifestyle and dietary issues such as too much alcohol, yeast and sugar and you have a recipe for developing persistent Thrush or other candida fungal infections.

So how do you stop UTI’s from occurring and what to do at the first sign of a UTI to prevent it getting worse?

Prevention is always your best friend. Make sure you don’t wipe back to front after a bowel movement as this pushes the bacteria towards the urethra and into the bladder. Be especially wary of cleanliness before and after sex as frequent sex can create the well known ‘Honeymoon Cystitis’.

If you suspect that a UTI is just beginning make sure you drink lots of water and get a hold of some Cranberry capsules in maximum strength. This helps to prevent the bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall.

Load up on antibacterial herbs such as Garlic and Uva Ursi and nutrients such as Vitamin C to fight the infection.

Also consider taking a probiotic to reintroduce good bacteria into the gut.

If you are very prone to developing Thrush after antibiotics and especially if you are on contraceptives, you need to avoid antibiotics as much as possible.

This may include addressing dietary and lifestyle factors, taking targeted nutrients and medicinal foods to reduce your levels of candida, repairing the damage it has done to your gut lining and immune system.

At GWN we understand women and the health challenges that they face.

If you are finding yourself at the mercy of repeated infections you really need us to guide you through a natural approach in prevention and treatment of UTI’s & Thrush.

We will provide you a tailored treatment plan to get you back on the road to wellness so you can be the best version of you.

Book online today and start Getting Well Naturally!

Does your period wipe out your vitality & mood?

Nutritionist Melbourne Uncategorized Women's Health No Comments

If so, you’re not alone. Many women experience some form of emotional disruption a week prior to, during and to some extent after their period.

It can range from frustration and anger to sadness, anxiety and deep depressive feelings.

These irrational thoughts that at other times of the month might simply be dismissed as ‘ridiculous’ take on a very serious side when you are premenstrual.

Premenstrual Mood Swings PMS or as a client of mine likes to calls it ‘personal mood swings’ or the more serious Premenstrual Mood Dysphoric Disorder PMDD is a common and frustrating experience.

There is a whole constellation of symtoms associated with the menstural cycle. Flutuating levels of Estrogen (Follicular Phase) and Progesterone (Luteal Phase) throughout the cycle can create a hormonal hell if your nutritional balance is off.

The period itself is well know for depleting your body of iron, which if not repleated sufficiently, either though an iron rich diet or an iron supplement, has the capacity to create very low moods and a lack of energy.

These symptoms become more pronounced the longer you’re iron deficient and may eventually lead to anemia.

Lesser know nutritional deficiencies are also linked to your period cycle.

Women can also become deficient in B Vitamins, Zinc, Magnesium & Calcium. This can create a raft of mental health issues ranging from moodiness to paranoia and fatigue.

Deficiencies of Vitamin D & Omega 3’s are also a common issues with heavy and painful periods.

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms with their cycle it’s time to be proactive and get help.

It doesn’t matter if you are 25 or 45, period problems ebb and flow throughout life and now is the time to address them.

Hormonal flutuations in themselves can create mood disturbances and when coupled with nutritional deficiencies it can create a world of despair.

Book today either online or in person to discover a better way of coping with periods. Visit the Contact Us page and click on the Halaxy icon for the next available appointment.

Happy International Women’s Day – March 8

Women's Health No Comments

Today (International Women’s Day) we are reminded of the phenomenal contribution that women make to our society.

However, there is still a long way to go.

One area of the women’s movement that is seldom highlighted and where women need to make more progress, is in the field of women’s health.

Admittedly, women now have access to a huge array of medical interventions and services, however, what is really missing is work life balance to ensure that women’s health and wellness is maintained.

Far too often women are putting themselves last while attending to the needs of their family and career to their own determent.

My female clients are often so depleted and overwhelmed by their responsibilities that they forget all about their own self care until it becomes a major concern.

Improving the health and wellbeing of women is the primary focus of my clinic.

If women could recognize the early signs of not coping physically and emotionally they can get help before it becomes a major stumbling block.

Stress is undoubtedly the biggest underlying issue that women face.

As is eating foods that don’t nourish them but are quick and easy to prepare.

Without addressing these issues women can experience hormonal dysfunction, digestive issues, fatigue, recurrent infections and then more stress as it becomes harder and harder to simply get through a normal day and keep up with all of her responsibilities.

Prevention and early intervention is the optimal way to stay healthy. So if you’re feeling a little under the weather now is the time to take action.

Book online today to receive 20% an initial Naturopathic or Nutrition consult,…

Because You’re Worth It!

 

Are you ready to put yourself first & experience best energy of your life this February?

Health Wellness Women's Health No Comments

The long school holiday break can be a challenging time for parents.

The pace of modern life is such that even the holidays can seem like a marathon. Things that should be enjoyable become can unbearable, as the energy needed to keep everyone ‘busy’ throughout the break is slowly depleted.

Endless rounds of cooking, cleaning, washing and shopping, while keeping everyone entertained with sport and other activities, can make the holidays seem more like work than play.

Many parents are also juggling the holidays with busy jobs which can make for a pretty stressful and overwhelming couple of weeks, in particular if you’ve had family and friends to entertain as well.

While, none of these things are bad in themselves, when they coincide together for weeks on end, cabin fever can bring things to breaking point.

In the lead-up to the new school year, it’s not uncommon for parents to feel completely exhausted, as they drop their children off at school and finally take some time for themselves. (That is after they’ve cleaned the house…yet again!)

And once everyone is back to their usual work and school routine, things usually subside. Energy and mood improves and parents begin to feel like themselves again.

However, this is not always the case. For many people, the fatigue simply lingers on. They begin the new year feeling as though they’d had not break at all.

If you’re struggling with low energy take the time to put yourself first, you deserve it!

Make an appointment and take advantage of our 20% off for new Naturopathic and Nutrition consultations and reclaim your vitality this February.

 

 

 

Are You at the Mercy of Your Menstrual Cycle?

Women's Health No Comments

Are You at the Mercy of Your Menstrual Cycle?

Whether you experience the physical effects of hormone withdrawal prior to your period or the very real and debilitating emotional effects, hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc in your personal and working life.

Recently, there have been calls for women to be granted period leave each month. This has ignited some spirited debate. On the one hand women who experience painful periods and rely on pain killers and anti-inflammatories just to make it through the day, would really appreciate a day off work.

Then there are those who breeze though this monthly event virtually unaffected. And all variations in between.

However, for those women who do experience cramping, heavy bleeding, clotting, headaches/migraines, backaches, leg and pelvic dragging sensations, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, mental fogginess, exhaustion, bloating and all manner of other discomforts….periods can be a dreaded monthly event.

Couple this with increased sensitivity, anger, sadness, irritability and moodiness and you have a recipe for 1-2 weeks of hell each month.

This can take an immense toll on your home and family life and your work.

Is Premenstrual Syndrome PMS or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder PMDD running your life 1-2 weeks every month?

PMS or the more extreme PMDD which causes severe depression along with physical symptoms of PMS are subjects every female over the age of 12 is well acquainted with.

Over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can go some way to addressing the physical discomforts but the really troublesome emotional effects often go untreated.

No-one wants to be on an anti-depressant medication for half a month, every month. So what can be done to alleviate these mood swings in a natural and lasting way?

Dietary and lifestyle choices can make a world of difference to the amount of pain and discomfort that women experience. Emotional symptoms can also become far worse when the body is out of balance from a diet that creates nutritional deficiencies.

Simply addressing these nutritional imbalances can do wonders to improve your mood, energy and pain levels.

Likewise, simple lifestyle adjustments can have a profound effect on your overall health and wellbeing all month long.

So if you’re fed up with battling the monthly blues and feeling blah….contact us today to regain your mojo. You’ll be glad you did.

Maybe Your Hormones are to Blame

Women's Health No Comments

Ever feel like you’re going crazy … maybe your hormones are to blame.

Buckle up you’re in for a bumpy ride!

If you’re a female aged in your late thirties to early fifties, you may be experiencing an assortment of emotional, mental and physical changes.

This life stage is know as Perimenopause. It can begin happening 10-15 years before actual Menopause. Hormonal flutuations are a normal part of life and happen month in month out. But when hormone levels become depleted due to stress, imbalances and natural aging, it can have a massive impact on your health and wellbeing.

So what symptoms might you experience during this time?

  • Anxiety
  • Mood Swings
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Brain Fog
  • Crying spells
  • Forgetfulness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Dizziness/Vertigo
  • Lightheadediness
  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Palpitations
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular periods (longer, shorter, lighter, heavier)
  • Low libido, unexplained infertility, dryness & miscarriage
  • Insomnia/night sweats
  • Hot flushes
  • Itching/skin crawling sensations
  • Allergies
  • Muscle tension and aches
  • Joint Pain
  • Bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Gas
  • Gum problems/breath changes
  • Weak splitting nails
  • Facial hair growth and head hair thinning
  • Weight gain

Throughout this period the ovaries begin to run out of eggs. Suddenly you may experience ‘anovulation’ or a month where no egg is released. When no ovulation takes place no Progesterone is made and the effects can be debilitating, especially if fertility is your prime concern. Progesterone maintains a pregnancy from the moment of conception to Week 16 when the placenta takes over Progesterone production. Therefore, if Progesterone levels are low due to stress or anovulation trying to conceive becomes very difficult. It can also lead to miscarriages.

Progesterone is anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing. It’s calming and helps you to stay a healthy weight with plenty of energy and vitality.

Under stress, the female body will create additional Cortisol (anti-stress hormone) at the expense of Progesterone in an attempt to reduce Adrenalin (fight and flight hormone) and stress levels in general. Whilst this may sound like a great idea, the reality is that Cortisol leads to weight gain around the middle. Extra weight in this region increases your risk of Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease. Add to this increased inflammation and pain and higher Oestrogen levels and you have a recipe for hormonal hell.

When you reach Menopause (12 months without a period) Oestrogen production drops to 40% and is made largely made in the adrenal (stress) glands and the fat on the hips. Progesterone production falls out completely. In the intervening years the body adjusts to lower levels of these hormones but to maintain a good sense of wellbeing a healthy lifestyle with exercise, a nutritious diet and natural therapies can make a world of difference.

Don’t spend another day suffering with hormone imbalance. If you are struggling with any of the symptoms above we at Getting Well Naturally have you covered.

Why Women Get Tired

Women's Health No Comments

Why women are always Constantly Tired and how you can Prevent it from happening to you.

Why women get tiredIn this short article we look at two often overlooked Nutritional Causes for Women who experience Constant Tiredness.

Most women assume their constant tiredness is caused by having a busy work load and family life, insufficient sleep or stress. But as demanding as the modern woman’s life is, there are many other underlying factors that cause tiredness too.

Chief among them is Iron deficiency. Women are at risk of iron deficiency from puberty to menopause, the child baring years. Heavy periods, fibroids and cysts all contribute to significant iron loss on a monthly basis. This may cause a lack of stamina, breathlessness on exertion, dizziness, trouble concentrating, pale skin, headaches, chest pain and more.

Many iron supplements are full of elemental Iron which is difficult to absorb and causes constipation and nausea. Therefore, maintaining the treatment can create even more problems! A natural iron supplement with the right cofactors (nutrients to help the Iron be absorbed) is the best choice to improve iron levels and energy.

Diet is also essential to increasing Iron levels. It’s best to discuss your diet with a Nutritionist so they can advise you on ways of combining foods to maximise your Iron absorption and the best foods to eat. Without this information, all the Iron supplements in the world could still leave you tired.

And whist we are on the subject of diet….certain foods contain ’empty calories’ which means they give you loads of energy but have no nutritional value. This causes a quick spike in your blood sugar so you’ll feel a short boost of energy followed by a slump once the sugar wears off. Overtime, this can lead to hypoglycaemia and diabetes.

You can recognise these foods by their colour ‘white’. These refined foods are otherwise known as simple carbohydrates. They include sugar, white flour, white bread, white biscuits, etc. It has been said that “we’ve never been so well fed and yet so undernourished”.

So if your diet is full of these types of energy sapping foods, you need to learn how to replace or minimise these foods and make better choices to achieve sustained energy.

Nutritional information can be conflicting and confusing. Taking the time to discuss your unique dietary habits and health can make a world of difference to your life.