WOMEN’S HEALTH DIETITIAN

ENDOMETRIOSIS AND ADENOMYOSIS

Endometriosis is experienced by around one in 9 women. It happens when endometrial-like tissue (similar to the tissue found lining the uterus) is found in other parts of the body such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum and outside the uterus. Adenomyosis refers to the endometrium breaking into the muscular wall of the uterus.

Each month, the tissues respond to hormones released by the ovaries, causing pain and bleeding. This leads to inflammation and scarring which can affect fertility down the track. The process can also cause a lot of pain and is linked with uncomfortable digestive symptoms including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are considered chronic conditions that can affect someone for many years. Fortunately, a dietitian can support you to make food and lifestyle changes that can support pain management, increase nutrient intake, improve gut health and reduce inflammation.  The PNW Dietitians are trained in the low FODMAP diet for IBS by Monash University and can work with you to improve uncomfortable gut symptoms associated with endometriosis or adenomyosis.

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition in which there is an excess of male hormones in the body, alongside irregular periods and/or cysts on the ovaries. PCOS affects around 1 in 5 women. Symptoms include irregular periods, fertility issues, excess facial or body hair, acne, weight gain and mood changes.

While the cause of PCOS is unknown, there may be a strong genetic link. People with PCOS often have insulin resistance, which means that in simple terms the body is less effective at processing carbohydrates, leading to blood sugar imbalances.

Working with a Women’s Health Dietitian at the PNW Clinic can help you to adopt an anti-inflammatory diet that is modified to support optimal blood sugar management and assists with regulating a body weight that is right for you.

PRENATAL, PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

It’s never too early to start thinking about optimising your diet for fertility. As it takes 90 days for an egg to mature, the three months leading up to conception is a critical window to make sure you have adequate stores of essential nutrients such as folate, iron and iodine. Making changes with support from your dietitian can give you the best chance of conceiving and meeting the nutritional requirements that follow in pregnancy.

During pregnancy, getting enough of nutrients such as protein, omega-3, folate, choline, iron, iodine, calcium, selenium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 becomes very important. It can feel overwhelming to plan meals and choose supplements on your own, especially if you follow a plant-based diet. It is also common to have supplement needs change during pregnancy as your nutritional status changes.

If you are breastfeeding, your nutrition needs remain high to support milk supply and reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies in this stage such as iron deficiency.

MENOPAUSE

Reaching menopause can be a challenging time for many women, with hormonal changes starting with peri-menopause, during menopause and post-menopause. Symptoms include hot flushes, reduced sex drive, headaches, mood swings, weight gain, disturbed sleep and hot flushes. It is also typical to see a reduction in muscle mass with age and hormonal changes.

Working with a PNW Dietitian can support you to make dietary changes that optimise your health and wellbeing in this stage of life, including preserving lean muscle mass, eating anti-inflammatory foods and reduce your risk of developing metabolic conditions such as high cholesterol, insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance.

HYPOTHALAMIC AMENORRHEA (HA)

Hypothalamic amenorrhea refers to when a person loses their period outside of menopause, and it is not due to the effects of contraception or another diagnosed condition. The menstrual cycle provides key insight into the body’s hormonal balance and its absence it can be a cue that the body is under excessive stress and needs to conserve energy to protect itself.

HA can happen when the body is under stress from psychological stress, over-exercising and lack of sleep, and/or when energy intake is very low in situations such as disordered eating, eating disorders, aggressive dieting or under-fuelling with exercise.

Long term effects of HA include poor bone health, reduced libido, heart disease, reduced fertility and impacts on mental health.

Working with a PNW Dietitian can support you to make lifestyle changes and increase your calorie intake in a structured way to reverse the hormonal changes that occur when you develop HA.