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.

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.

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.

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 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.