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Does your cycle seem to have a mind of its own? Maybe your periods have become heavier, more painful or less predictable. Perhaps PMS seems to take over for a week or two every month, your energy changes dramatically throughout your cycle, or you’ve simply got a feeling that things aren’t quite as they should be. Or maybe you're in your 40s and perimenopause symptoms are starting to appear and making life difficult?
Your period can tell you a lot about what’s going on in your body - and while some symptoms are common, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to put up with them.
Hi, I’m Sarah Nash, a BANT-registered Nutritional Therapist and Level 5 Clinical Reflexologist in Farnham, Surrey. I'm here to help you decipher what your cycle is trying to tell you!
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Your cycle is more than just your period
Your menstrual cycle is influenced by so many things - stress, sleep, blood sugar, digestion, nutrient intake and overall energy levels can all play a part in how you feel and what your cycle does on a monthly basis.
We'll look at your symptoms, your lifestyle and your individual needs and work out the best way forward. Whether you're dealing with painful or heavy periods, PMS, irregular cycles, infertility, low energy around your period or simply feel that something isn't quite right, I'm here to help you understand the bigger picture.
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Nutrition for period and cycle health
There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to menstrual health. We'll look at what you're currently eating, where your diet may be lacking in key nutrients for period and cycle health, and how your environment may be affecting your hormonal health.
No restrictive diets. No cutting out entire food groups because Instagram says you should. No complete life overhaul. The aim is simple: better nourishment, without making your life harder.
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Reflexology: step out of the chaos
Your menstrual cycle doesn't exist in isolation. Stress, poor sleep and constantly being in action mode can all influence how you feel throughout your cycle.
When life is relentless, your nervous system can spend a lot of time in a heightened state, and that can have knock-on effects on sleep, energy, digestion and hormonal health.
This is where reflexology can complement nutritional therapy. A reflexology treatment gives you dedicated time to slow down, step out of the chaos and relax - a much deserved break alongside addressing any other factors that may be affecting cycle health.
Sometimes supporting your cycle health isn't just about what you eat. It's also about giving your body a chance to properly rest.
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Why I combine nutritional therapy and reflexology
This is where my approach is a little different. Nutrition and reflexology aren't competing therapies. They complement one another beautifully.
Nutrition helps provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function well, while reflexology creates space for rest, relaxation and reconnection.
Some clients choose nutritional therapy because they want to understand the root causes of their symptoms. Others come purely for reflexology because they need an hour to unwind. Many enjoy combining both.
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Track your symptoms. Spot the patterns.
Sometimes the most useful place to start is simply paying attention.
Tracking your cycle, symptoms, energy, mood, sleep, digestion and other changes throughout the month can help us spot patterns that aren't always obvious when you're dealing with each symptom individually.
And if something doesn't add up, we can explore whether further investigation or testing might be useful. Testing isn't always necessary — but sometimes it can be that missing piece of the puzzle when things don't quite make sense.
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FAQs
WHAT IS A NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE?
This varies so much from person to person, and your cycle doesn't have to be exactly 28 days to be considered normal.
CAN NUTRITION HELP WITH PMS?
Nutritional therapy can be one part of supporting PMS symptoms. We'll look at your overall diet, nutrient intake, blood sugar, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and anything else that could be contributing to how you feel.
CAN NUTRITIONAL THERAPY HELP WITH PAINFUL PERIODS?
Painful periods are common, but severe or worsening pain shouldn't simply be accepted as something you have to live with. If you have any concerns, please do contact your GP for further medical investigations.
WHAT ABOUT HEAVY OR IRREGULAR PERIODS?
Changes in bleeding or cycle regularity can have many possible causes. Nutritional therapy can help you look at relevant nutritional and lifestyle factors, but significant or unexplained changes should also be discussed with your GP for further investigation.
DO I NEED HORMONE TESTING?
Not necessarily. Testing is considered on an individual basis and is always optional. Where it could provide useful information, we can discuss the options and whether it makes sense for you and your individual circumstances.
DO I NEED TO CHANGE MY WHOLE DIET?
Absolutely not. The aim is to make practical changes that fit around your life, not give you another list of things you're supposed to be doing perfectly.
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CYCLE HEALTH?
Book your free 15 minute call below.