Which naturopath should I see for hormonal concerns?

Carmen Farrugia works across fertility, pregnancy, postnatal care, PCOS, menstrual disorders and menopause, and is an AHPRA-registered midwife and nurse as well as a naturopath. Jess Pensa focuses on thyroid, hormonal and autoimmune conditions and hormonal acne. Either is a sensible starting point depending on what's front of mind.

Is period pain normal?

Some discomfort is common. Pain that stops you doing normal things isn't something to accept — it's one of the main signs of endometriosis, and it deserves investigation rather than management with painkillers alone.

Can you test my hormones?

Where it's clinically appropriate, yes. Your naturopath may arrange pathology, or discuss saliva hormone testing. Which one suits depends on what's being investigated — your practitioner will explain the difference rather than defaulting to a test.

Women's Health Naturopath Melbourne

The reproductive system is where male and female physiology differ most, and it’s the area where symptoms are most often normalised rather than investigated.

Women’s health here covers menstruation, fertility, the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years, and everything in between. The presentations that come up most are:

difficulty conceiving
painful periods
irregular, heavy or absent cycles
hormonal symptoms affecting mood, energy, sleep and skin
PCOS, thyroid conditions and other endocrine presentations
perimenopause and menopause

What your naturopath assesses

A full history first: your cycle, its pattern and what’s changed, previous pregnancies, contraception, medications, digestion, sleep, stress and diet.

Where it’s clinically appropriate they may recommend pathology or functional testing — thyroid studies, iron and nutrient status, or saliva hormone testing — so that what’s prescribed responds to something measured.

Herbal medicine, nutritional medicine and dietary and lifestyle strategies follow from what that shows.

⚠ What needs a doctor

Period pain that stops you functioning, bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, or a sudden change in your cycle should be assessed medically. Endometriosis is confirmed by laparoscopy, and PCOS, fibroids and thyroid disease all need medical diagnosis. Your naturopath works alongside that, not instead of it.

Who you’d see

Carmen Farrugia — fertility, pregnancy, IVF support, postnatal care, menstrual disorders, PCOS and menopause. Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy, plus AHPRA registration as a midwife and Division 1 nurse.

Jess Pensa — thyroid, autoimmune and hormonal conditions, and hormonal acne. Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy.

Related: fertility, endometriosis, acne.

Women's health