MENSTRUATION

Once the hormonal connection between the brain and ovaries are fully mature, a woman enters her reproductive years.

If all is well, this stage should be characterised by a monthly sequence of hormonal changes, that results in a single egg maturing and being released from an ovary each month; and at the same time, growth and eventually shedding of the endometrial lining before the cycle starts again.

For many women, these monthly transitions are predictable in timing and symptoms but for some, the irregularities, mood disturbances, pain and heaviness of the bleeding reveal underlying health conditions that can have an enormous impact on a woman’s ability to live well.

How to Pelvic Floor: The Physio’s Guide to Leaking, Prolapse and Pain

Pelvic floor dysfunction affects millions of women, yet symptoms like leakage, prolapse and pain are often dismissed as normal. In this episode of The Women’s Handbook Podcast, specialist women’s health physiotherapists Monica Donaldson and Tamara Gerdis unpack what the pelvic floor really is, how dysfunction presents across the life course, and why evidence-based, individualised assessment is essential for effective, non-surgical care and lasting pelvic health.

PODCAST

Dr Natalie Hutchins

Jan 73 min read

Vaginismus: Understanding Pain with Penetration and the Role of the Pelvic Floor

Pain with vaginal penetration is common, distressing, and often misunderstood, leaving many women without clear answers for years. This blog explains vaginismus, now termed Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD), a condition involving involuntary pelvic floor muscle guarding driven by the nervous system. It explores what the condition feels like, why it develops, and why it is physical, real, and highly treatable. With evidence-based, multidisciplinary care, most wom

MENARCHE

Dr Natalie Hutchins

Jan 63 min read

Endometriosis — Diet, Science, and a New Vision for Care

Endometriosis is often described as a gynaecological condition, but leading researchers are revealing just how much broader and more complex the picture really is. In this episode, we bring together voices from nutrition, molecular science, pain research, and psychology to explore how endometriosis affects the whole body, and why the future of care lies in a truly multi-disciplinary approach.

PODCAST

Dr Natalie Hutchins

Oct 1, 20253 min read

Vaginal Probiotics: What Does the Science Say?

We talk a lot about balance when it comes to our bodies and in the vagina, that balance is maintained by a complex ecosystem of microbes called the vaginal microbiome. When that balance is disrupted, the symptoms can be hard to ignore: unusual discharge, odour, irritation, or recurring infections like thrush or bacterial vaginosis (BV). In recent years, researchers have started to explore the potential of vaginal probiotics; live, beneficial bacteria that restore a healthy v

LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

Dr Natalie Hutchins

Jun 23, 20259 min read

what is a vaginal microbiome image of bottles in lab conditions

The Vaginal Microbiome: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

When we talk about women’s health, there’s an important player that often goes unmentioned: the vaginal microbiome. It might not be something you think about every day, but it plays a major role in everything from period health to pregnancy, infections and immunity. Understanding what your vaginal microbiome is (and how to support it) can help you take better care of your body across every life stage.

LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

Dr Natalie Hutchins

Jun 18, 20256 min read

Connection as Medicine: How Social Relationships Shape our Health

When we think about living a long and healthy life, we tend to focus on things like food, sleep, and exercise. But the science is clear: our relationships matter just as much. Social connection isn’t just “nice to have”; it’s a biological necessity, hardwired into our nervous systems. Growing research shows that friendships, community, and emotional closeness have a profound impact on our health and life, for women in particular.

LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

Dr Natalie Hutchins

May 19, 20257 min read