Why Treating Endo Without Looking at Your Gut Is Like Patching a Leaking Pipe From the Wrong End

Why Treating Endo Without Looking at Your Gut Is Like Patching a Leaking Pipe From the Wrong End

Endometriosis and the Gut Microbiome In this episode, Bri and Karah dive deep into one of the most underappreciated connections in women's health: the relationship between endometriosis and the gut microbiome. If you have been told your gut symptoms are "just IBS" or that endometriosis is purely a reproductive condition, this episode is for you. In this episode we cover: * What endometriosis actually is and why it is so much more than painful periods * Why women with endo so commonly experience gut symptoms including bloating, bowel changes, and food sensitivities * What the estrobolome is and how gut bacteria directly influence estrogen metabolism and clearance * Why SIBO is so prevalent in women with endometriosis and what drives it * The role of intestinal permeability (leaky gut) in fuelling the inflammatory cycle * How the gut-immune connection plays into endo disease activity * The estrogen-histamine feedback loop and why so many endo sufferers are reacting to everything * Naturopathic strategies to support the gut in endometriosis management, including nutrition, fiber, nervous system support, and functional testing Mentioned in this episode: * Kiwi fruit (with the skin on) before bed for sleep support * Slow cooked lamb and lentil roast with salsa verde — TikTok recipe link https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSQhmRtXB/ [https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSQhmRtXB/] * Psyllium husk and flaxseed meal as gentle fiber options * High polyphenol olive oil * Pomegranate juice in soda water * Comprehensive stool testing and SIBO breath testing * Functional testing markers discussed: microbiome diversity, beta-glucuronidase activity, inflammatory markers, iron, vitamin D, B12 Key takeaways: Endometriosis is a whole-body inflammatory condition, not just a hormonal or reproductive one. The gut microbiome influences estrogen metabolism, immune function, histamine regulation, and systemic inflammation, all of which are directly relevant to how endo presents and how it can be managed. Supporting gut health will not cure endometriosis, but it can meaningfully reduce the overall inflammatory burden and improve quality of life. If you are experiencing severe pain, debilitating bloating, or bowel symptoms and feel dismissed, you deserve proper support and investigation.   Work with us! If you want to explore what your microbiome actually looks like, book a free discovery call or find us on instagram * Book a free discovery call with one of our practitioners: HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary] * Email us: info@thesanaco.com.au [info@thesanaco.com.au] * Instagram: @thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]

Your AMH Came Back Low- Here's Why You Don't Need to Panic

AMH and Fertility: What Your Results Actually Mean Content note: This episode discusses AMH, fertility testing, infertility, and the emotional experience of trying to conceive. In this episode, Brianna and Teresa unpack one of the most misunderstood markers in women's reproductive health, AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone), and why a low result is a data point, not a destiny. AMH is produced by the follicles in the ovaries and is used as a marker of ovarian reserve. It was originally developed for IVF treatment planning, not to predict natural conception. Fertility is multifactorial, and no single blood test can tell the full story. What AMH does and doesn't tell us AMH reflects egg quantity, not quality. Egg quality, whether an egg is chromosomally normal and capable of fertilization, is arguably the more important variable, and it is something that can be actively supported. A low AMH result should never be viewed as the sole determinant of fertility potential. Successful conception requires one healthy egg. What can impact AMH accuracy Being on the oral contraceptive pill can cause AMH to read falsely low. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with falsely lower readings. Biotin supplements (common in hair, skin, and nail formulas) can falsely elevate results. Always disclose supplements before testing, and aim to test in the early follicular phase. Supporting egg quality Brianna and Teresa discuss the role of mitochondrial health in egg quality and the nutrients with the strongest research backing in this space: CoQ10, Myo-inositol, Vitamin D. A minimum of three months of supplementation is recommended to align with the follicle maturation cycle. Reducing oxidative stress through nutrition, sleep, stress management, and lowering toxic load (plastics, endocrine disruptors, smoking) also plays a meaningful role in reproductive health. The bigger picture Low AMH means approaching fertility more intentionally, not hopelessly. You are not your AMH number, and fertility care should always focus on the whole person: physically, emotionally, and mentally.   Work with us! If you want to explore what your microbiome actually looks like, book a free discovery call or find us on instagram * Book a free discovery call with one of our practitioners: HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary] * Email us: info@thesanaco.com.au [info@thesanaco.com.au] * Instagram: @thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]

Keto, Carnivore, Mediterranean: What These Diets Actually Do To Your Microbiome

Your microbiome is one of the most responsive systems in your body and in this episode, we're breaking down exactly how to work with it, not against it. We cover the real timeline of microbiome change (hint: it starts sooner than you think), what different dietary approaches actually do to your gut bacteria, and the underappreciated role of when and how often you eat. In this episode: * How quickly your microbiome can shift- what's happening at 24 hours, one week, one month, and three months * What keto and carnivore diets do to microbial diversity, butyrate production, and gut barrier integrity and when they can be genuinely therapeutic * Why the Mediterranean and plant-based diets have the strongest evidence base for microbiome health, and why variety matters more than volume * The migrating motor complex, what it is, why it only activates in a fasted state, and why constant grazing may be contributing to SIBO * Time-restricted eating and its effect on microbial diversity, akkermansia, and circadian alignment * Why your stress levels and sleep can undermine even the cleanest diet * Real client cases from our clinic, including a carnivore protocol that significantly reduced inflammatory markers in a client with Crohn's disease This week's recommendations: * Karah: Homemade coconut kefir: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXLwbwkkzjP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXLwbwkkzjP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] * Teresa: Family Wall app for shared household admin Work with us! If you want to explore what your microbiome actually looks like, book a free discovery call or find us on instagram * Book a free discovery call with one of our practitioners: HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary] * Email us: info@thesanaco.com.au [info@thesanaco.com.au] * Instagram: @thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]

What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Endometriosis (And Why It Takes 10 Years to Diagnose)

If you have been told your period pain is normal, this episode is for you. Endometriosis affects an estimated one in nine women, yet the average diagnostic delay is still a staggering ten years. In this episode of Sana Sessions, we take a deep dive into what endometriosis actually is, why it is so frequently missed, and what a comprehensive, root-cause approach to management looks like, beyond the pill and beyond surgery. What We Cover in This Episode What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, responding to hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle. It is not simply a gynaecological condition — it is a multisystem inflammatory disease involving immune dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, and cellular disruption. Symptoms can include severe period pain (dysmenorrhoea), ovulatory pain, pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), heavy periods (menorrhagia), chronic pelvic pain, digestive symptoms such as bloating and constipation, fatigue, recurrent urinary tract infections, and fertility challenges. Critically, symptom severity does not always reflect disease severity. Why Endometriosis Takes So Long to Diagnose Women's pain has historically been underrecognised and underinvestigated. Many women are told their symptoms are normal for years before receiving a diagnosis. Endometriosis can present during adolescence, the twenties and thirties, or may only be discovered during fertility investigations. Understanding your symptoms and advocating clearly within your healthcare team is essential. How Endometriosis is Diagnosed Laparoscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Specialised imaging via an endoscan, a comprehensive ultrasound involving external abdominal and internal transvaginal assessment with pressure testing for adhesions, can detect deep infiltrating endometriosis and provides a less invasive diagnostic pathway. The Root Causes of Endometriosis This is where naturopathic medicine offers significant value. Rather than managing symptoms alone, a root-cause approach explores the multiple contributing factors driving the condition: * Retrograde menstruation and bacterial contamination theory (E. coli endotoxins in menstrual blood and peritoneal fluid) * Genetic predisposition involving genes that regulate inflammation, hormone metabolism, immune signalling, and tissue repair * Epigenetic influences including diet, chronic stress, toxin exposure, gut health, and lifestyle patterns * Environmental toxin exposure, particularly xenoestrogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, soft plastics, and food packaging * Impaired immune surveillance allowing abnormal cell implantation and growth * Gut microbiome imbalance and its direct influence on immune regulation and oestrogen metabolism via the estrobolome * Uterine microbiome disruption associated with endometriosis and implantation difficulties * Elevated copper levels driving inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis that supports lesion growth * Defective methylation pathways affecting detoxification, hormone metabolism, and inflammation regulation * Elevated histamine activity amplifying inflammation, oestrogen stimulation, and pain signalling Naturopathic Management of Endometriosis A comprehensive, integrative approach to endometriosis management includes: * Anti-inflammatory nutrition: whole foods, omega-3 fatty acids, diverse vegetables, fibre, and antioxidant-rich foods to reduce systemic inflammation * Gut health optimisation: stool microbiome mapping, digestive function support, and gut barrier repair to support immune health and oestrogen clearance * Methylation support: assessment of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, B6, choline, and magnesium to support detoxification and hormone metabolism * Histamine management: identifying histamine-triggering foods, supporting gut integrity, and providing targeted nutrient support for histamine metabolism * Nervous system regulation: breathwork, restorative movement such as walking and yoga, sleep support, and techniques such as legs-up-the-wall * Environmental toxin reduction: avoiding heating food in plastic containers, switching to glass or stainless steel storage, and reducing soft plastic packaging exposure * Targeted herbal and nutritional supplementation based on individual presentation * Post-surgical support for tissue healing where excision has been performed Building Your Endometriosis Healthcare Team Managing endometriosis well requires a collaborative team. This may include your GP, a specialist gynaecologist experienced in endometriosis excision surgery, a pelvic floor physiotherapist, a naturopath, and an acupuncturist. Taking a support person to medical appointments can help with advocacy and information retention. Key Takeaways * Endometriosis is a multisystem inflammatory condition, not just a period problem * A ten-year diagnostic delay is still common, knowing your symptoms and advocating for investigation matters * Root causes extend well beyond hormones and include gut health, immune function, environmental toxins, methylation, and histamine * Naturopathic support works alongside conventional treatment to address the systemic drivers of the condition * An individualised, comprehensive approach produces the best outcomes Mentioned in This Episode * Endoscan (specialised endometriosis ultrasound) * Gut microbiome mapping and stool analysis * Methylation blood panel (homocysteine, B12, folate, B6, choline, magnesium) * Estrobolome and oestrogen metabolism * Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and xenoestrogens Work with us!  * Book a free discovery call with one of our practitioners: HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary] * Email us: info@thesanaco.com.au [info@thesanaco.com.au] * Instagram: @thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]

Why You Look 6 Months Pregnant After Every Meal (And It's Not What You Think)

Why You're Still Bloated (And What to Do About It) If you've ever unbuttoned your jeans after dinner, lived in trackpants to survive the afternoon, or been told "it's just IBS" — this one's for you. In today's episode, Karah and Theresa break down one of the most common complaints they see in clinic: bloating. Not just what it is, but why it's happening, what it's actually telling you about your gut, and what you can do about it starting today. What we cover: * What bloating actually is (and how to tell it apart from general belly weight) * The difference between upper and lower gut bloating — and why it matters * Low stomach acid and enzyme deficiency: the most overlooked cause * Bacterial imbalance and SIBO: why the six-months-pregnant belly builds throughout the day * The carb restriction connection that so many women don't see coming * Food sensitivities, FODMAP tolerance, and why long-term elimination is not the answer * How constipation — even the kind you don't recognise — is making things worse * The hormone link: why bloating gets so much worse in the second half of your cycle * Stress and the gut-brain axis: why eating at your desk is wrecking your digestion Testing we use in clinic: * SIBO breath testing * Comprehensive stool testing * Functional blood tests (iron, zinc, B12, thyroid, stress hormones) * Metagenomic microbiome testing via CoBoime 4 things you can do today: 1. Try apple cider vinegar — one teaspoon in warm water before a meal 2. Avoid large amounts of liquid at mealtimes 3. Eat mindfully — away from screens, chewing properly, breathing deeply 4. Experiment with fibre — psyllium husks, chia, linseed, stewed fruit Resources mentioned: * Free Bloating E-Book — HERE [https://www.thesanaco.com.au/product-page/understanding-bloating-causes-and-symptoms] * Book a free discovery call with one of our practitioners: HERE [https://the-sana-co.simplecliniconline.com/diary] * Email us: info@thesanaco.com.au [info@thesanaco.com.au] * Instagram: @thesanaco [https://www.instagram.com/thesanaco/]