Your questions answered
I'm Simone Jeffries, BHSc (Naturopathy), a naturopath and perimenopause coach focusing on women's health on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
Below I've answered the questions I hear most often from women seeking natural support for their health.
Common questions about working with a naturopath
Question: Naturopath for women's health Northern Beaches
If you're searching for a naturopath with a holistic approach to women's health on Sydney's Northern Beaches, you've found the right place. I'm Simone Jeffries, a naturopath with a particular focus on the interconnected systems that govern women's health - hormones, gut microbiome, stress responses, and vaginal microbiome.
Why women's health requires a holistic approach
Women's bodies go through distinct life stages and hormonal transitions that require understanding beyond general naturopathic care. From painful periods and recurrent infections in reproductive years, through the challenging transition of perimenopause, to maintaining vitality after menopause - each stage asks something different of our bodies.
"I'm passionate about women's health because I believe when women understand how their bodies work - the intricate dance between hormones, gut health, and busy lifestyles - they become empowered to make informed decisions about their own wellbeing. I love working in this area because every woman's body tells a unique story, and my role is to help her read that story and respond with compassion and knowledge. I'm a strong advocate for food as medicine, and I love showing women how the right foods at the right times can transform their energy, moods, and symptoms. These moments of understanding and relief are why I do this work." — Simone Jeffries, Naturopath (BHSc), Sydney Northern Beaches
My areas of special focus
I work with women experiencing:
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Menstrual health concerns - period pain, heavy bleeding, PMS, endometriosis
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Recurrent infections - thrush, urinary tract infections (including post-menopause), bacterial vaginosis
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Perimenopause - irregular periods, heavy bleeding, mood changes, hot flushes, anxiety, sleep issues, brain fog
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Post-menopausal health - vaginal dryness, painful sex, recurrent UTIs, bone health, sustained energy
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Digestive issues - bloating, SIBO, histamine intolerance, food intolerances
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Hormonal imbalances - PCOS, irregular cycles, low libido
What makes my practice unique
Vaginal Microbiome Expertise I'm trained in vaginal microbiome analysis and work two days per week at My Vagina clinic, focusing on recurrent vaginal and urinary concerns. This dedicated clinical experience means I understand the nuances of vaginal health in ways that inform all aspects of my women's health practice.
Advanced Testing When Needed I'm trained in functional testing including GI mapping (comprehensive gut microbiome analysis), vaginal microbiome analysis, and SIBO breath testing. For approximately 30% of my clients with complex or long-term digestive and hormonal conditions, this testing provides crucial insights that guide individualised care.
Bespoke Herbal Medicine I create individualised herbal blends based on your specific health picture and, when relevant, your test results. If GI mapping or vaginal microbiome testing reveals particular bacterial imbalances, I know which herbs target those specific organisms. This precision approach means faster, more effective results.
Holistic, Sustainable Approach I integrate wellness coaching into my practice because good advice needs to be matched with support, encouragement, and realistic goal-setting. My focus is on sustainable change - helping you make shifts that work with your life, not against it.
Working With Nature's Rhythms I love supporting women to work with natural cycles - whether that's your menstrual cycle, the lunar cycle (for women who no longer menstruate), or the changing seasons. These rhythms offer a structure for building healthy habits that last.
My THRIVE Program
For women aged 42-55 navigating perimenopause, I've developed an 8-week online program called THRIVE. This comprehensive course helps you understand what's happening in your body and provides practical strategies for managing this transition with confidence and ease. You can download the program guide here.
Jean Hailes for Women's Health recommends seeking advice from qualified and experienced naturopaths for herbal and complementary therapies, and acknowledges that complementary medicine and therapies are used to support holistic wellbeing and quality of life.
Location & How to Work With Me
While my practice is based in Manly on Sydney's Northern Beaches, telehealth makes it possible for women to work with me from anywhere in Australia. I currently see clients from Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, and across Sydney (including the Lower North Shore and Mosman areas).
I offer both in-person consultations (Northern Beaches) and telehealth appointments, making it easier to fit appointments into your busy life wherever you are.
What to expect
Your first appointment is 60 minutes. We'll discuss your health history, current concerns, and health goals in detail. I'll explore your diet, stress levels, sleep patterns, menstrual cycle (if relevant), digestive health, and how these all connect.
When appropriate, I may recommend functional testing such as GI mapping, vaginal microbiome analysis, or SIBO breath tests. However, I only suggest testing when I believe it will genuinely illuminate your specific health picture - it's never just routine.
You'll leave your first appointment with initial recommendations and a clear understanding of the path forward. Most women notice improvement within 1to 8 weeks), with continued improvement over three to six months as we address underlying causes.
Why choose a naturopath with a women's health focus?
Working with a naturopath who focuses specifically on the female body's unique systems means:
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Deeper understanding of hormonal cycles and transitions
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Familiarity with the latest research on women's microbiomes (gut and vaginal)
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Experience with complex conditions like endometriosis and SIBO
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Knowledge of how stress, sleep, and nutrition affect women's hormones
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Understanding of the perimenopause to menopause transition
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Dedicated training in vaginal microbiome health
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're experiencing women's health concerns and want a naturopath who understands the whole picture - not just isolated symptoms - I'd love to help!
Contact Details: Simone Jeffries Naturopath
Sydney Northern Beaches (in-person) | Telehealth Australia-wide
Common questions about perimenopause and naturopathy
Question: Can a naturopath help with perimenopause without HRT?
Answer: Absolutely!As a naturopath focusing on women's health on Sydney's Northern Beaches, I work with perimenopausal women every day using natural approaches - and the results can be truly transformative.
Natural support for perimenopause includes personalised herbal medicine, nutritional strategies, working with your body's natural rhythms, and wellness coaching to help you implement sustainable changes. Many women find significant relief from symptoms like hot flushes, mood swings, insomnia, and heavy bleeding without needing HRT.
That said, this isn't either/or. Some women benefit from combining natural approaches with HRT, and I work collaboratively with GPs to support whatever choice is right for you. The key is understanding YOUR unique hormonal picture and creating a plan that addresses the root causes of your symptoms.
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to a Natural Perimenopause.
Question: Why am I so angry and emotional in perimenopause?
Answer: You're not imagining it, and you're definitely not alone. The rage, irritability, and mood swings many women experience in perimenopause are real and have a physiological cause.
During perimenopause, your estrogen fluctuates wildly and progesterone levels drop. These hormonal swings directly affect your neurotransmitters (brain chemicals like serotonin and GABA) that regulate mood, stress response, and emotional resilience. What used to roll off your back now feels overwhelming. Simple tasks that you've done a thousand times before suddenly feel impossible.
This is compounded by poor sleep, blood sugar imbalances, and increased cortisol (stress hormones). Your nervous system is essentially on high alert, and your emotional buffer has disappeared.
Herbal medicine can support your nervous system, nutritional changes can stabilise blood sugar and hormones, and working with your body's natural rhythms can help you navigate this transition with more ease. Flower essences can also provide beautiful support for the emotional aspects of this time.
Read more about this: Perimenopause rage: why you're suddenly losing your temper
Question: Why do I wake up at 3am every night and can't get back to sleep?
Answer:This is one of the most frustrating symptoms of perimenopause, and there's a clear reason why it happens at that specific time.
During perimenopause, declining progesterone affects your ability to stay asleep, while fluctuating oestrogen disrupts your sleep-wake cycle. But the 3am wake-up is often related to your cortisol rhythm. Cortisol (your stress hormone) should be at its lowest around 3-4am, but when your adrenal glands are working overtime to compensate for declining ovarian hormones, cortisol can spike at the wrong time - jolting you awake.
This is compounded by night sweats, anxiety, and a nervous system that's already on edge from hormonal fluctuations. Your body's circadian rhythm - the natural day-night cycle - becomes disrupted, making it hard to settle back to sleep once you're awake.
Supporting your circadian rhythm is fundamental to how I work with perimenopausal women. This includes herbal medicine to calm your nervous system, nutritional support for hormone and blood sugar balance, and practical strategies for working with your body's natural sleep-wake patterns.
Read more: Female over 40, and wide awake at 2am?
Common questions about period pain and endometriosis
Question: What can a naturopath do for period pain?
Period pain (dysmenorrhoea) can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain that affects your ability to work, study, or enjoy life. While many women are told this is "normal" or that the only option is pain medication, naturopathy offers a different approach - one that looks at the underlying causes rather than just managing symptoms.
Understanding the Root Causes of period pain: Period pain isn't just about your menstrual cycle. Research is increasingly showing connections between menstrual health, gut health, and even vaginal microbiome balance - particularly in conditions like endometriosis.
"When I see a woman with severe period pain, I'm looking at three interconnected systems: her hormonal balance, her gut microbiome, and her vaginal microbiome. These three systems communicate with each other, and inflammation in one area can affect the others. This is particularly important with endometriosis, where we now understand the gut and vaginal microbiomes play significant roles. By addressing all three systems with targeted herbal medicine and gut microbiome testing when needed, I can help women experience real relief - not just symptom management." — Simone Jeffries, Naturopath (BHSc), Sydney Northern Beaches
Research published in 2023 in the journal Pharmaceuticals found that the average delay in diagnosing endometriosis, due to the nonspecific nature of its symptoms, is significant, ranging from 4 to 12 years, and laparoscopic diagnosis, the diagnostic gold standard, is an invasive procedure.
Jean Hailes for Women's Health recognises that period pain can significantly impact quality of life and recommends investigating underlying causes, particularly when pain is severe or worsening over time.
How Naturopathy Addresses Period Pain. As a naturopath, I use several approaches depending on what's driving your pain:
1. Herbal Medicine I create individualised herbal formulas that may include anti-inflammatory herbs, hormone-balancing herbs, and herbs that support healthy prostaglandin production (the compounds that influence period pain). Unlike over-the-counter remedies, these formulas are specific to your symptoms and health picture.
2. Gut Microbiome Testing and Support For women with suspected endometriosis or severe period pain, I often recommend GI mapping - a comprehensive stool test that shows exactly what's happening in your gut microbiome. When we identify specific bacterial imbalances or inflammation markers, I can prescribe targeted herbal medicines that address your unique gut issues. This matters because gut inflammation can worsen period pain, and the gut microbiome influences oestrogen metabolism.
3. Vaginal Microbiome Support The health of your vaginal microbiome is increasingly recognised as important for menstrual and pelvic health. I work with you to optimise this through dietary changes, specific probiotics when needed, and herbal support.
4. Anti-inflammatory Nutrition Certain foods can increase or decrease period pain. I'll guide you towards an anti-inflammatory eating pattern that supports all three systems - hormonal, gut, and vaginal health.
5. Lifestyle and Stress Management Stress affects hormone production and gut health. I'll help you develop sustainable practices that support your body through your menstrual cycle.
Naturopathic doctor and hormone expert Lara Briden notes in her research that many cases of period pain involve underlying inflammation that can be addressed through natural approaches targeting prostaglandin balance and immune function.
What to Expect
Most women notice some improvement within one to two menstrual cycles, with continued improvement over three to six months as we address the underlying causes. This is particularly true when we identify and support gut microbiome imbalances.
When to Seek Help
You should see a naturopath for period pain if:
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Pain medication isn't providing adequate relief
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Your pain is getting worse over time
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You're missing work or social activities due to period pain
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You suspect endometriosis or have been diagnosed with it
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You want to understand and address the root causes, not just mask symptoms
Period pain doesn't have to be something you just "put up with." By looking at the whole picture - your hormones, gut health, and vaginal microbiome - naturopathy offers a pathway to lasting relief.
Contact Simone Jeffries Naturopath Located on Sydney's Northern Beaches, I focus solely on women's health with particular expertise in the gut-hormone-vaginal health connection.
Book a consultation to discuss your period pain and how we can work together to address the underlying causes.
Blogs about naturopathy and period pain:
Read more: A naturopath's update on period pain and endometriosis
Common questions about digestive health and SIBO
How long does SIBO take to go away?
Most women (and men) feel significant relief from SIBO symptoms within 6 weeks when working with a structured, phased approach. However, the complete process - including the restoration stage to prevent recurrence - typically takes 3-6 months.
"In my clinical practice, I work with a three-phase approach that I learned from Dr Nirala Jacobi. Phase I involves 3 weeks of targeted antimicrobial herbal medicine and supplements. Then we switch up the herbal formula for Phase II - another 3 weeks with different antimicrobials. If you're feeling 80-90% better at that point, we move into the restoration and repair stage, which focuses on rebuilding your gut function and addressing what caused the SIBO in the first place so it doesn't come back." — Simone Jeffries, Naturopath (BHSc), SIBO Practitioner, Sydney Northern Beaches
Research shows that approximately 60-70% of people diagnosed with IBS actually have SIBO. According to Dr Nirala Jacobi, founder of The SIBO Doctor and pioneer in SIBO protocols, successful management requires not just eradicating the bacterial overgrowth, but also addressing the underlying causes and supporting complete gut restoration.
Why the phased approach works
SIBO bacteria can be stubborn. By switching up the herbal antimicrobials between Phase I and Phase II, we prevent the bacteria from adapting to the same formula. This rotation strategy, combined with the biphasic diet developed by Dr Jacobi, gives us the best chance of clearing the overgrowth effectively.
The initial 6 weeks target the bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine. But here's what makes the difference between temporary relief and lasting results: we also need to work on your large bowel at the same time.
When I use the GI Map stool test alongside the SIBO breath test, I can see what's happening throughout your entire digestive system - not just your small intestine. This comprehensive view means I can create bespoke herbal formulas that address bacterial imbalances, fungal overgrowth like Candida, and markers of intestinal permeability (leaky gut) all at once.
This is why many of my clients experience fast results - we're supporting the whole gut holistically.
The restoration and repair stage
Once you're feeling 80-90% better (usually after the 6-week treatment), we move into Phase III. This stage can take another 3-6 months, but it's much gentler. The focus shifts to:
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Rebuilding healthy gut bacteria diversity
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Supporting your intestinal barrier function
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Addressing what caused your SIBO in the first place
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Making sure your digestive system can handle a wide variety of foods again
What caused your SIBO matters
SIBO doesn't just appear randomly. Common underlying causes include:
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Chronic constipation (bacteria aren't being moved through properly)
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Low stomach acid (your body's natural defence against bacterial overgrowth)
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Stress affecting your migrating motor complex (the muscle contractions that sweep your gut clean)
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Previous food poisoning or gastroenteritis
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Regular snacking (which switches off the gut's natural cleansing waves)
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Certain medications like antibiotics or acid-reducing drugs
If we don't identify and address YOUR specific trigger, SIBO is likely to return. This is why the restoration stage is so important - it's not just about maintaining results, it's about making lasting changes so you don't end up back at square one.
What you can expect during recovery
Most women notice bloating improving within the first 2-3 weeks. Energy levels often take a bit longer because SIBO causes malabsorption - your body needs time to rebuild nutrient stores once you can actually absorb food properly again.
Some women need two rounds of the 6-week protocol if their SIBO is particularly stubborn, or if there are complicating factors like SIFO (Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth). But the majority of women and men I work with feel dramatically better after one full round of Phases I and II.
According to the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, functional gut disorders like SIBO require a comprehensive approach that addresses diet, lifestyle factors, and the underlying gut environment - not just symptom suppression.
The important role of personalised herbal medicine
What makes herbal medicine so effective for SIBO is that I can create individualised formulas based on exactly what your GI Map and breath test reveal. If you have Candida overgrowth alongside SIBO, your formula will include both antibacterial AND antifungal herbs. If your test shows signs of intestinal permeability, we'll include gut barrier support. This targeted approach is why herbal protocols can be just as effective as antibiotics - sometimes more so - without the side effects of disrupting your beneficial gut bacteria.
The beauty of working with a SIBO-trained naturopath is that we understand this isn't a one-size-fits-all condition. Your timeline might be slightly different depending on how long you've had symptoms, what's showing up on your tests, and what caused your SIBO in the first place.
Ready to start your SIBO recovery journey? Book a consultation to discuss comprehensive testing and create your personalised protocol.
You don't have to live with bloating and digestive discomfort - let's work together to get you feeling well again.
Read more: Could your painful bloating be SIBO? A naturopath explains why.