This EndoLife

Five Fatigue and Brain Fog Hacks for Endometriosis

Brain fog and fatigue. These are two of the biggest symptoms you guys tell me you suffer with and they’re two symptoms that I found hardest to shake, whilst my symptoms have dramatically improved, they are the two that I sometimes need some extra help with. Now, before we dive in - I want to state that the root cause should be investigated, rather than just slapping superfood biohacks over the problem. Chronic inflammation, dysregulated blood sugar and hormonal imbalances are just some of th...

Five Natural Tips to Reduce Oestrogen Dominance and Balance Hormones with Endometriosis

In episode 107 I took you through what oestrogen dominance is, the causes and the symptoms, alongside seven foods to help alleviate the hormonal imbalance. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, go ahead and check it out, then come back to this one! But why is oestrogen dominance even a problem? Oestrogen has been shown in multiple studies to play a pivotal role in the development and growth of endometriosis, it’s why many doctors use progestin only hormonal birth control methods to po...

Seven Foods to Alleviate Oestrogen Dominance with Endometriosis

If you’ve listened to my podcast recently, you’ve likely heard a lot about oestrogen dominance or excess oestrogen and the problems these two imbalances can bring. Oestrogen in itself isn’t a ‘bad’ hormone - it’s a wonderful hormone that plays a crucial role in our menstrual cycle and our overall health. But too much or too high in relation to progesterone is where the problems arise, and these problems can make our experience of endo worse. So what is oestrogen dominance? Oestrogen dominanc...

Seven Foods To Alleviate PMS with Endometriosis

Bloating? Anxiety? Tearfulness? Painful breasts? If you experience any of these symptoms, you likely experience PMS in the lead up to your period. Even though PMS is very common, it doesn’t mean it’s just something we have to live with - especially when we’re dealing with endometriosis as well. In fact, PMS is caused by hormonal imbalances, often oestrogen dominance or excess oestrogen and sometimes low progesterone - and when we get these into balance, a lot of our endo symptoms ease too! ...

Advocacy without Burnout - How You Can Align Your Social Justice Work with Your Cycle with Vianney Leigh

If you have endo, you probably know what it feels like to be unseen, unheard and dismissed. The gender pain gap is a real thing, and that becomes even more difficult to overcome if you’re black or a person of colour, especially given that medicine has a history of believing back women can tolerate more pain. As a result, many of us in the endo community are doing hard work - we may be advocating for people of colour with endometriosis, like Lauren at ENDO BLACK or advocating for the LGBTQIA...

Heavy Periods with Endometriosis? Why You Get Heavy Bleeding and What You Can Do to Lighten Your Periods with Krystal Kirton

Krystal Kirton is a leading hormone and reproductive health coach, whose Instagram page is just a WEALTH of incredible information and accessible tips and advice. In today’s episode, Krystal and I are diving into her amazing pool of knowledge to explore heavy periods and endometriosis: what causes them and what you can do about it. Krystal Kirton is a certified nutrition coach, certified hormone health expert AND a trained fertility awareness educator. I know, I know. What can’t this woman d...

Six Foods To Eat Before Your Period To Reduce Pain with Endometriosis

Today I wanted to follow up on last week’s episode Six Tips for Reducing Endometriosis Pain in The Week Before Your Period, with something a little more focused around nutrition. As most of you will know by now, I lean towards making healthy choices to support us with endo all month long, but that doesn’t mean that focusing on foods to add in just before our period can’t be useful. In fact, if you’re struggling with where to get started with endometriosis management, I would start here and wi...

Six Tips for Reducing Endometriosis Pain in The Week Before Your Period

Most of us with endometriosis have experienced debilitating periods that stop us in our tracks and derail our day or week completely. Perhaps we get through with a mix of pain killers or maybe nothing helps at all - whatever is going on for you, today I want to offer you six simple pain relieving strategies that can help alleviate your endometriosis pain when your period arrives. These methods are best begun seven days before your period so the effects build up and compound and I do totally r...

Your Brain on Pain - How Your Nervous System Affects Interstitial Cystitis and Endo Pain with Dr. Nicole Cozean

Dr. Nicole Cozean is the pelvic floor physiotherapist who is changing the way we think about and treat pelvic floor disorders and pelvic pain - and lucky for us, interstitial cystitis is her passion area. Dr. Nicole Cozean is the owner of Pelvic Sanity and author of the incredible The Interstitial Cystitis Solution, which is an amazing resource for both patients and practitioners alike. We know that endometriosis and pelvic pain are more often than not found together, causing those of us who...

Season break - I'll back in two weeks!

Just a quick message to say I'm taking a season break on the back of ep.100 to batch record some really exciting interviews and get them all ready for you! I'll be back in two weeks. In the meantime, you can keep learning about endometriosis in my articles on Endometriosis News and Endometriosis Net.

A Holitstic Healing Plan for Endometriosis

It’s the 100th episode! To celebrate I’m sharing the foundation steps I take with my clients to create their personalised holistic healing plan for endometriosis. I’ve developed this approach after spending seven years working with the endo community and on my own healing journey, and studying with leading specialists such as Dr Jessica Drummond and Dr Allison Siebecker. I hope by sharing some of my core steps, it’ll help you navigate your own healing journey and give you a foundation on ...

A Holistic Healing Plan for Endometriosis

It’s the 100th episode! To celebrate I’m sharing the foundation steps I take with my clients to create their personalised holistic healing plan for endometriosis. I’ve developed this approach after spending seven years working with the endo community and on my own healing journey, and studying with leading specialists such as Dr Jessica Drummond and Dr Allison Siebecker. I hope by sharing some of my core steps, it’ll help you navigate your own healing journey and give you a foundation on whic...

How To Treat SIBO with Dr Allison Siebecker

The SIBO queen, Dr. Allison Siebecker, is back with part two on our deep dive into all things SIBO, endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. In this episode, we’re talking about how to test for SIBO and how to interpret your results, how to treat SIBO and how to lessen your chances of relapse with prevention methods. It’s a great episode and one that I cannot recommend enough for starting out on this SIBO/endo belly journey. Here’s a breakdown of everything we discuss in this interview: ...

The SIBO, Endometriosis and Interstitial Cystitis Connection wth Dr. Allison Siebecker

Is this the highlight of my podcast career so far? Absolutely. Today I’m joined by my tutor, the wonderful Dr. Allison Siebecker discussing small intestine bacterial overgrowth, endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. A naturopathic doctor and SIBO patient herself, Dr. Allison Siebecker is one of the world’s leading SIBO experts and provides truly the best SIBO resource on the internet. Dr. Siebecker has worked with thousands of patients and has dedicated her career to treating some of the ...

My SIBO (Endo-Belly) Journey and Treatment Plan

Some of you may know that I was recently diagnosed with both hydrogen and methane type SIBO, and suspected hydrogen sulfide type SIBO too. This diagnosis, whilst I was certain would come back positive, still knocked me emotionally. With this knowledge, I was able to piece together symptoms and struggles I have faced my entire life and begin making sense of my health story. Though endometriosis has played a huge part, SIBO has in fact been with me for much longer and has continued to cause me...

How To Test for SIBO

It’s finally here! The long awaited episode on how to test for SIBO. Many of you have been contacting me to ask how to get tested or whether you can test at home, so here’s my episode discussing all the ins and outs. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key points in the episode: Hydrogen and methane type SIBO can be detected through a SIBO breath test. You can order at-home kits. In my experience, most GPs won’t/can’t order SIBO breath tests and aren’t familiar with it, though GI doctor...

Diet and Natural Treatment Options for Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Pain with Elisabeth Yaotani of IC Wellness

If you have endometriosis, it’s pretty like you have bladder pain or bladder problems too. Many us struggle with frequency, urgency, bladder pressure, bladder pain and chronic UTIs without much hope of resolution when we go and see our doctor. Elisabeth Yaotani experienced this for over a decade of her life. For years, her bladder pain and symptoms worsened despite undergoing the standard medical treatment for interstitial cystitis. Finally, she stumbled upon some alternative healing strateg...

Equal Treatment for Black Endometriosis Patients and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Painful Sex, Interstitial Cystitis and Endometriosis with Dr. Juan Michelle Martin

Dr. Juan Michelle Martin is a pelvic floor physiotherapist with a specialist interest in endometriosis and women’s health. Across 13 years of treating patients, Dr Martin has come to notice the inequalities and inadequacies within women’s pelvic health, especially for black women. Often when women finally see Juan, they’ve had years of various dismissive doctors and finding Juan is the first time they’re heard and see. Dr Juan Michelle Martin takes a holistic approach, focusing not just on t...

A Little Message

REPOST: Raising Awareness and Creating Community for People of Colour with Endometriosis with Lauren Kornegay of ENDO Black, Plus an Important Story

Hi loves. It’s been a heart-breaking week or so, but an eye-opening one and hopefully a week that signifies the beginning of true change. Due to the unacceptable murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop and Ahmaud Arbery (and countless others), I decided not to continue with the planned podcast this week. Instead, I wanted to share two stories. One is a repost of my interview with Lauren Kornegay of ENDO Black, where she shares her story of racism, endometriosis and isolation in ou...

Caffeine, Your Hormones and Endometriosis

Ah caffeine. That legal drug which apparently 90% of the world is consuming, which is pretty interesting when you consider the impact it has on our hormones and endometriosis. We’ve talked about caffeine and endometriosis before, but today I’m sharing an updated version on the subject as well as my own personal tips and experiences with reducing my caffeine intake. This is an exert from a Facebook Live I did in my Owning This EndoLife Challenge Facebook group - a safe space where each month...

Cycle Syncing Your Exercise Routine for Endometriosis and Chronic Fatigue with Jenni Hulburt of WILD Wellness

Maybe you want to exercise with endometriosis but you find your fatigue overwhelms you. Perhaps you’re not sure whether you should exercise on your period. Or maybe you’re worried about the impact of exercise on chronic pain? Today I’m talking to Jenni Hulburt of WILD Wellness, the fitness specialist who is helping women and people with periods to live and sweat in sync with nature.  After Jenni’s own experience with HPA axis dysfunction and burnout, she began listening to her body and dec...

Understanding The Endometriosis Belly, Part 3: SIBO Symptoms

The endometriosis belly, the endometriosis tummy, the endo bloat, the endo belly, the endo pooch - whatever you call it, you know what I’m talking about. That weird phenomena where your belly suddenly decides to make you look six months pregnant, not only is it uncomfortable, sometimes painful (especially if you have adhesions), it can also affect us emotionally - whether it’s about our self-esteem or because it plays on our fears around fertility. But what is endometriosis bloating? What c...

What Happened on My Low Oxalate and Low Histamine Elimination Diet for Interstital Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome has been dubbed the evil twin of endometriosis, and often goes undiagnosed because the pain from the two in the pelvic can sometimes overlap and blur. I only realised that the bladder issues I was experiencing weren’t endo related when my endo symptoms resolved after I changed my diet. Over the years, my bladder pain has only worsened and has now evolved to that point where I experience pain pretty much 247. Histamines and oxalates can somet...

Fix Your Period with Nicole Jardim

Guys this episode is SO good! Nicole Jardim is back on the show to talk endometriosis, missing periods, ovulation, thyroid problems and basically all the periods problems you can think of. Her debut book Fix Your Period is out in the world and as someone living with endometriosis and as a endo health coach, I just seriously cannot wait to get stuck into it and use some of her tools and practices with my own healing journey and with my clients. Nicole and I hopped on to an Instagram Live on ...

Q + A Episode: Answering Your Questions About How To Manage Endometriosis Naturally

Recently I did an Instagram and Facebook Live endometriosis self-care morning, with meditation, pelvic floor stretches, a gratitude practice, intention setting and a q&a. This Live was all about calming down the brain, so that our pain signals reduce and we have less endometriosis flare ups and less pain in general. I ended the Live with a Q + A answering your questions about how to get started with managing endometriosis naturally and holistically, and supporting you with areas where you fe...

A Morning Routine For Endometriosis

Recently I did an Instagram and Facebook Live endometriosis self-care morning, with meditation, pelvic floor stretches, a gratitude practice, intention setting and a q&a. This Live was all about calming down the brain, so that our pain signals reduce and we have less endometriosis flare ups and less pain in general. I felt like it was such an important time to do this, given that we’re currently in a situation where so many of us are experiencing fear, stress and anxiety. When the brain is s...

A Meditation for Endometriosis

In this episode, mindfulness teacher Kate McGoey takes us through a calming meditation for endometriosis. I know it’s been a rough few weeks through COVID19 and stress, anxiety and fear can all lead to heightened pain signals, so a few Saturdays ago I held an Instagram Live where I took us all through a calming morning routine to reduce and anxiety, wrap our brain in safety signals and thus ease pain. So many of you have said to me that you loved the live and I asked if you’d like it in a p...

Managing Endometriosis: Where to Start

I’ve recently been speaking to my endometriosis community on Facebook and Instagram and a lot of people tell me they don’t know where to start when it comes to managing endometriosis naturally or holistically. They’re constantly Googling the best natural treatments for endometriosis, are reading the latest books and are keeping up to date with endometriosis blogs, but feel totally overwhelmed and anxious about where to start. It feels like there are so many options to try, and they often don’...

Endometriosis Work Accommodations: What We're Entitled To and What Still Needs to Change with Vickie Williams

Vickie Williams is a Women’s Health Researcher and Tedx speaker currently completing her PhD in Endometriosis at Work and Menstrual Policy, and you may remember her from the podcast two years earlier, where we talked all about yoga and reiki for endometriosis. In today’s episode Vickie and I discuss - Vickie’s personal experience of endometriosis in her career. The current experience and challenges of people with endometriosis at work. The current support available (government lev...

Understanding The Endometriosis Belly, Part 2

The endometriosis belly, the endometriosis tummy, the endo bloat, the endo belly, the endo pooch - whatever you call it, you know what I’m talking about. That weird phenomena where your belly suddenly decides to make you look six months pregnant, not only is it uncomfortable, sometimes painful (especially if you have adhesions), it can also affect us emotionally - whether it’s about our self-esteem or because it plays on our fears around fertility. But what is endometriosis bloating? What c...

Reduce Fatigue, Endometriosis Symptoms and Oestrogen Dominance with A Better Breakfast

This episode is another special one where I share with you guys what’s been going on in my year long Facebook challenge and what we’re working on during Endometriosis Awareness Month. In March, we’re reducing fatigue, endometriosis symptoms and even oestrogen dominance with one simple step - balancing blood sugar at breakfast. Why is this important? So. Many. Reasons. But here's a quick breakdown. Stable blood sugar levels in turn stabilises energy levels and helps to combat those big swings...

Getting Pregnant with Endometriosis: Optimising Fertility Through Nutrition with Stefanie Valakas of The Dietologist

When you read about endometriosis in the media, often the biggest headline is that it causes infertility. We hear more about the struggles than we do about the success stories, and we’re often told to get pregnant soon - whether we want or are ready for children or not. The media, the mixed information and varying personal accounts can often leave us feeling confused. So what are the statistics behind endometriosis and infertility? Endometriosis is associated with a 30%-50% prevalence of inf...

Understanding The Endometriosis Belly, Part 1

The endometriosis belly, the endometriosis tummy, the endo bloat, the endo belly, the endo pooch - whatever you call it, you know what I’m talking about. That weird phenomena where your belly suddenly decides to make you look six months pregnant, not only is it uncomfortable, sometimes painful (especially if you have adhesions), it can also affect us emotionally - whether it’s about our self-esteem or because it plays on our fears around fertility. But what is endometriosis bloating? What c...

What To Do If The 'Endometriosis Diet' Triggers Disordered Eating with Molly Roberson of The Endo Expert, Part 2

Molly Roberson is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, specialising in endometriosis and founder of The Endo Expert. Last week, Molly and I dived into her story of endometriosis, and her experience with eating for endometriosis. We discussed how the changes she made began to become obsessive, and Molly felt she was losing her joy of not just food, but life, as her eating habits become more and more rigid. In the second and final part of our interview, we talk about what to do if the ‘endomet...

What To Do If The 'Endometriosis Diet' Triggers Disordered Eating, Part 1 with Molly Roberson of The Endo Expert

The wonderful Molly Roberson is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, specialising in endometriosis - and you may in fact know her as The Endo Expert. Molly began experiencing symptoms as soon as her periods began, and they only worsened as the years went by. Finally, after continuous dismissal, doctors settled on the conclusion that it was likely to be endometriosis. Rather than going for a laparoscopy, Molly, who was already studying nutritional therapy by this point, went away and did her o...

Antioxidants for Endometriosis

How many servings of fruit and veg do you get in a day? Did you know, fruits and vegetables are the KEY component of an anti-inflammatory diet? They’re packed full of antioxidants and these play a vital role in reducing inflammation in our bodies. Inflammation is largely due to a process in the body known as oxidation. In multiple studies, it’s been found that people with endometriosis have higher levels of oxidation and a lower intake of antioxidants, research has also shown that increasing ...

Outsmart Endometriosis: The Elimination 'Undiet' for Endometriosis with Dr Jessica Drummond

Dr Jessica Drummond is one of the world’s leading endometriosis and women’s health experts. She is the founder of the Integrative Women’s Health Institute, is a licensed physical therapist, licensed clinical nutritionist, and board certified health coach working with women with pelvic pain - and is now the author of Outsmart Endometriosis: Relieve Your Symptoms and Get Your Career Back On Track. Jessica is a returning guest and with good reason! In this episode, we… Demystify the eliminat...

Why Drinking Enough Water Is Key For Reducing Endometriosis Symptoms

Sometimes we overlook the really simple basics of health when it comes to managing our endometriosis. We take supplements, eat super foods, restrict other foods - but forget to check in on our foundations, like drinking enough water. Of course we forget - no one else is asking us about our foundations of our health. No one else is making the connections. We’re not even really told to look after our health with endometriosis. It’s highly likely that many of you will have the following sympto...

Why Drinking Enough Water Is Key For Reducing Endometriosis Symptoms

Sometimes we overlook the really simple basics of health when it comes to managing our endometriosis. We take supplements, eat super foods, restrict other foods - but forget to check in on our foundations, like drinking enough water. Of course we forget - no one else is asking us about our foundations of our health. No one else is making the connections. We’re not even really told to look after our health with endometriosis. It’s highly likely that many of you will have the following sy...

Anti-inflammatory Living for Endometriosis

Many of us have heard about an anti-inflammatory diet for endometriosis, but what about an anti-inflammatory lifestyle? If you were eating a totally anti-inflammatory diet but you were experiencing chronic stress, would that have an impact on your pain levels? My answer? It’s very, very likely. There are two key factors that cause further inflammation in our bodies when it comes to our lifestyle. Stress, tension and danger signals are often experienced in two places in the body: the neck...

Anti-inflammatory Living for Endometriosis

Many of us have heard about an anti-inflammatory diet for endometriosis, but what about an anti-inflammatory lifestyle? If you were eating a totally anti-inflammatory diet but you were experiencing chronic stress, would that have an impact on your pain levels? My answer? It’s very, very likely. There are two key factors that cause further inflammation in our bodies when it comes to our lifestyle. Stress, tension and danger signals are often experienced in two places in the body: the ne...

Essential Oils and Massage for Endometriosis with Carine Camera

Okay guys - I think you’re going to love this episode! It’s super practical and covers a subject a lot of you are curious about: essential oils for endometriosis. Today I am talking to Carine Camara of the Pelvis Wellness Method. Carine is the founder of the Pelvis Wellness Method; which combines the practices of acupuncture, abdominal and pelvic bodywork with energy healing. She’s also an energy body worker, holistic health coach and a licensed acupuncturist - yes, this girl does a lot of th...

Goal Setting for Endometriosis in 2020

So many of us start a new year with hopeful intentions, but then struggle to live out those intentions come Feburary. Last week we did a meditation on how we wanted to feel in our bodies in 2020 and the decade ahead. This exercise is a lot more logical, it’s about planning, reflecting and going really deep on your desires for your health. You don’t have to have done the meditation, but if you did, today’s episode is about turning that vision into a reality. In this episode, I’m going to ask ...

New Year Meditation for Endometriosis

This episode is a pretty unique one. With a decade ending and a new one approaching, I have recorded a visualisation meditation to help you envision how you want to feel in 2020 and the decade ahead. The key question you will be asking yourself in this meditation is - what if you thrived with endometriosis in 2020? What would your body feel like? What would your life look like? You’ll be invited to envision what your life would be like if you did thrive and if you didn’t - and what one acc...

Managing Endometriosis at Christmas

Christmas. I’m not sure there’s any other time of year that can bring up so many complex and rich emotions and experiences. Joy, love, connection mixes with family disputes, awkwardness, and social pressure! Adding endometriosis into the mix only tends to further complicate a time that should be special. Christmas is also a time of indulgence. Inflammatory foods tend to be the main thing on the menu, and this often results in one of our worst periods come January. So what does that mean for ...

Managing Money and Dealing with Financial Struggles with Endometriosis with Michelle Manuel of Her Wealth IQ

This title may seem a little odd to you - but endometriosis affects every area of a person’s life. Every area. That means finances too. In fact, my friend Vickie Williams, recently shared these stats from a worldwide study: 7,000 women across 52 countries, over 40% have given up or lost jobs due to endo, and others have gone part-time or self-employed. Women with endo lose 10.8 hours a week due to pain. Women with endo lose £5,750.72 a year due to time off sick. It’s bad enough...

Living with Endometriosis: My Interview with Berrion Berry on The Feminine FLO Podcast

This episode comes with a bit of a twist! In fact, it’s not technically one of my episodes. This is an interview I did with Berrion Berry on her podcast, The Feminine FLO Podcast on my experience of living with endometriosis, and what drove me to manage it naturally, and why that inspired me do the work I do through coaching, writing and podcasting. I decided to share it because on my show, I’ve tended to hold back a little on some of the science I’ve wanted to share with you as I wasn’t yet...

The Best Surgery for Endometriosis with Excision Specialist Dr Andrew Cook

Dr Andrew cook is a world leading endometriosis excision specialist and best selling author whose approach to endometriosis treatment is revolutionary. I absolutely love his perspective on treating endometriosis and looking at the patient as a whole, and I believe that his work is going to change the way the medical industry addresses endometriosis surgery moving forward. Dr Andrew Cook is the founder of the Vital Health Endometriosis Center, where they take a holistic and integrative approa...

Q + A Episode: Answering Your Questions About The Endometriosis Diet

Recently I reached out to my newsletter subscribers and asked them what questions they had about the endometriosis diet. I was met with so many questions that I couldn’t fit them all into my newsletters, so I decided to answer some of them in a Q + A episode! I didn’t even manage to get through them all, so expect another episode soon. Here are the questions I answer: Which one diet change for endometriosis do you think is the most beneficial? What are the top 3 foods to avoid with en...