Welcome to Inside the Apothecary

Why does it feel like the things that used to work for your body suddenly stop working? In this episode of Inside the Apothecary, Jaime and Mel unpack why weight regulation can become more complex as women move through their 30s, 40s and beyond, and why simply eating less and exercising more is often not the answer. We explore the physiological changes that can influence weight, including declining muscle mass, changes in insulin sensitivity, stress and cortisol, sleep, hormonal shifts and the transition through perimenopause. We also discuss why increasingly restrictive diets can sometimes work against us, and why understanding what is happening metabolically and hormonally is far more useful than blaming ourselves for a body that has changed. In this episode we cover: Why metabolism and body composition change as we age The importance of maintaining and building muscle Insulin resistance and blood glucose regulation Perimenopause and changing oestrogen and progesterone Stress, cortisol and sleep Why chronic under-eating can become counterproductive The difference between weight loss and improving metabolic health What we actually focus on with patients in clinic If your body feels different despite doing all the things that used to work, this episode will help explain why. 🎧 Listen to Inside the Apothecary on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. #InsideTheApothecary #WomensHealth #Perimenopause #WeightLoss #MetabolicHealth #HormoneHealth #Naturopathy

Menopause technically happens on one day. So why can women feel completely different for years beforehand? In this episode, Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew explain what perimenopause really is, why it often begins earlier than expected, and why so many women don't recognise the symptoms. They explore anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, mood changes, heart palpitations, weight gain and why these experiences are often dismissed as simply getting older. You'll learn: • What perimenopause actually is • How it differs from menopause • The symptoms many women never expect • Why women often feel dismissed • Lifestyle strategies that genuinely help • Nutrition and exercise considerations • Understanding HRT discussions If you're in your late 30s, 40s or early 50s, this episode will help you better understand one of the biggest hormonal transitions in a woman's life. #perimenopause #menopause #womenshealth #brainfog #hormones #healthpodcast

Endometriosis affects one in seven Australian women, yet diagnosis still takes years and many people are told their pain is normal. In this episode, Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew explore why endometriosis is far more than a reproductive condition and how it can affect the entire body. They discuss the inflammatory and immune components of endometriosis, fertility, fatigue, digestive symptoms, bladder symptoms and why imaging doesn't always provide answers. You'll learn: • Why diagnosis is often delayed • Why scans can appear normal • How endometriosis affects fertility • The role of inflammation and immune function • Why symptoms extend beyond the menstrual cycle • The impact on work, relationships and quality of life • Why treatment involves much more than surgery Whether you have endometriosis yourself or are trying to better understand someone who does, this episode offers practical insights and evidence-informed discussion. #endometriosis #pelvicpain #fertility #adenomyosis #inflammation #healthpodcast #womenshealth

Painful periods. Heavy bleeding. PMS. Fatigue. Recurrent infections. So many women are told these symptoms are simply part of being female. But are they? In this episode, Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew discuss the symptoms women most commonly normalise and explain why common does not always mean normal. Together they explore why these symptoms deserve investigation, what they may be telling us about underlying health, and why early intervention matters. You'll learn: • Why painful periods shouldn't simply be accepted • Heavy bleeding and what it may indicate • Mid-cycle spotting and irregular cycles • PMS and when symptoms become excessive • Recurrent thrush, BV and urinary tract infections • Fatigue that isn't explained by a busy lifestyle • Migraines linked to hormones • Why listening to your body matters If you've ever been told your symptoms are "just part of being a woman," this conversation may change the way you think about your health. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. #periodpain #pms #endometriosis #fatigue #hormones #womenshealth #naturopath #healthpodcast

Hormones have become one of the biggest topics on social media, but are we actually becoming more informed or simply more confused? In this episode of Inside the Apothecary, naturopaths Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew explore the growing world of hormone advice online and separate evidence from misinformation. From cortisol "spikes" and adrenal fatigue to hormone balancing, cycle syncing and hormone testing, they unpack the trends that have left many women overwhelmed and unsure where to start. You'll learn: • Why hormones are blamed for almost everything • What "balancing hormones" actually means • The truth about cortisol • Why adrenal fatigue remains controversial • When hormone testing is useful and when it isn't • Whether cycle syncing is helpful or unnecessarily complicated • Why more supplements don't always create better health • Where experienced practitioners actually begin when someone walks into clinic If you've ever wondered whether the advice you're seeing online is actually helping your health, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. #hormones #cortisol #adrenalfatigue #cyclesyncing #womenshealth #naturopath #healthpodcast #fertility #insidetheapothecary