S2 #Ep03 Things Women Are Told Are Normal (That Really Aren't)

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

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

Have you ever been told your blood tests are "normal" but still felt exhausted, foggy, anxious, in pain, or simply not like yourself? You're not imagining it. In the first episode of Season 2 of Inside the Apothecary, naturopaths Mel Gearing and Jaime Chew unpack one of the most frustrating experiences patients face: being told everything is normal despite ongoing symptoms. They explain why pathology reference ranges don't always reflect optimal health, how two people can have identical blood test results but completely different health experiences, and why understanding the person behind the numbers is just as important as the numbers themselves. Together they explore how practitioners interpret pathology in the context of symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and long-term trends, rather than relying on a single result in isolation. In this episode you'll learn: • What a "normal" blood test actually means • Why normal doesn't always mean optimal • How pathology reference ranges are created • Why symptoms should never be ignored simply because results fall within range • Why trends over time are often more valuable than a single test • The importance of looking at patterns rather than isolated markers • Common examples using ferritin, thyroid function, vitamin B12 and vitamin D • Why good practitioners treat people, not pathology reports Whether you're living with fatigue, hormonal symptoms, digestive issues, fertility challenges, chronic pain or simply know something doesn't feel right, this episode will help you understand why your health deserves a deeper conversation. If you've ever walked out of an appointment feeling unheard because your results were "normal," this episode is for you. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who has ever been told, "Everything looks normal." For more evidence-informed education on hormones, fertility, endometriosis, gut health and women's health, follow Inside the Apothecary and Nourishing Apothecary. #bloodtests #functionalmedicine #naturopath #womenshealth #fertility #thyroid #ferritin #vitaminD #vitaminB12 #healthpodcast #insidetheapothecary #integrativemedicine #pathology #hormones #fatigue