As a naturopath and period health educator, Chloe Sheehan’s mission is to break down barriers around menstrual health.
Name: Chloe Sheehan
Day job: Naturopath and Period Health Educator
Location: Newcastle, NSW
Describe your work in one sentence.
There’s not a (work) day that goes by where I am not discussing periods, cervical fluid and bowel movements, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What’s next for Fem Ed?
I have recently returned from mat leave and hope to launch my Period Positive workshops locally. These workshops are aimed at tweens and their primary caregiver to help take the fear and unknown away from all that is puberty and periods.
How do you juggle that with your work as a Naturopath?
Fem Ed is my creative outlet, and I enjoy spending my spare time researching and creating educational content to share on my Instagram, website, and through workshop offerings.
What inspired you to focus on hormones and menstrual wellness?
Most people seeking Naturopathic support are middle-aged females, so naturally, there is a benefit in being upskilled in female health, hormones and fertility. I have my own history of a PCOS diagnosis and fertility journey, which has allowed me to empathise with my clients on a deeper level.
What’s a common myth about hormones that you wish people knew?
Ovulation is the main event of our menstrual cycle, not our period (the bleed). It is ovulation that creates the hormones needed to have a period; without it, we wouldn’t have a menstrual cycle.
What are the most overlooked signs of hormone imbalance?
Our health intuition is a powerful tool, but it can take time to tune into. If your body says, "Something is not right," it’s worth listening to. When I was younger, I had niggling symptoms on and off for nearly a year that I dismissed, hoping they would just go away. It wasn’t until I found the courage to speak up that I discovered I had a chronic case of chlamydia. With a single round of antibiotics, my symptoms completely disappeared.
How does gut health play a role in balancing hormones?
It’s not commonly known, but the large intestine is responsible for clearing estrogen from the body through a process known as beta-glucuronidation. If digestion isn’t functioning properly, it directly impacts sex hormones.
How vital is cycle tracking?
I always recommend cycle tracking to my clients to help them monitor their menstrual health. I have over 10 years of my cycle data and find it very beneficial to refer to when specific symptoms or health changes arise.
Can hormonal birth control mask imbalances?
The pill uses two hormones (oestrogen and progestogen) to pause ovulation, which is responsible for fertility and periods. When ovulation is stopped, it can temporarily mask symptoms that may have been present during the menstrual cycle. If you experienced significant symptoms before starting the pill (e.g., acne or period pain), I recommend seeking the advice of a qualified Naturopath.
Regarding IVF, are there any lifestyle or dietary shifts that can help?
The egg we ovulate today is a product of the last 120 days. What we do in the 3-4 months before conceiving or egg retrieval is vital to the quality of those eggs. The same goes for sperm; every 74 days, a new batch is created, so it's important for the male partner to engage in optimal fertility nutrition and lifestyle practices before conceiving.
What do you wish you knew at the start of your fertility journey?
If someone had told me I would have my baby in the end, I don’t think I would have put myself through so much stress, physically, emotionally, and medically. That’s the beauty of hindsight. I also wish I had trusted that my body could do this, but instead, I was filled with fear throughout my entire pregnancy. Maybe it will be different next time?
How did your body and hormones shift after birth?
I am now 10 months postpartum and still awaiting my period. There have been many emotional and hormonal changes as I adjusted from pregnancy to postpartum. The main physical change has been postpartum hair loss, which I have to remind myself is normal, even though it doesn’t feel like it at the time.
What are your go-to tips for restoring hormonal balance post-birth?
Pregnancy and postpartum are massive hormonal events. It's normal for your menstrual cycle to take time to adjust. Through my work supporting mums, I find it's common for them to undernourish themselves while breastfeeding, which can negatively impact hormone regulation and cycle recovery.
What's your number one health message for all women?
If your period or menstrual cycle symptoms are impacting your quality of life, you should seek professional support.
And you wouldn’t refer to the testicles as “penis” so why refer to the vulva as the vagina? Anatomically correct language is essential, not preferred.
MY CYCLE
- My period in 3 words: Breast-feeding period hiatus
- Length: Cycle length ranges from 31-33 days
- Period self-care means: Intuitively adapting your tasks, social commitments, physical activity and nutrition for your period.
- Period self-care toolkit: Whittakers Coconut Chocolate and a HEAT Pack.
- Best period hacks: Flaxseed meal.
- Contraception of choice: Cycle Tracking with BBT.
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Scarlet pick: HEAT all the way!!
