with Tabitha McIntosh
Tabitha’s informative talk will cover the impact of the Environment on reproductive development, health and fertility across the lifespan. Tabitha will journey us through the changing landscape of male fertility and plummeting sperm counts, highlighting the most vulnerable windows for exposures and how we can protect our clients from environmental insult at each stage.
Tabitha’s talk is aimed at inspiring her peers and to increase the focus on male fertility, helping better overcome challenges in reproductive medicine with improved awareness of the impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals, enhanced clinical questioning, plus strategies for avoidance and amelioration.
She will outline research linking certain exposures to various common fertility concerns, highlighting the reproductive ripple effects of cumulative exposures that appear to be diminishing both health and fertility in our males and couples. Importantly, she will shine the light on the wonderful various tools we have in our Natural Medicine toolkit to restore and enhance fertility outcomes for all.
with Dr Libby Weaver
Perimenopause is being blamed for everything from weight gain to brain fog, anxiety to itchy ears. What if, the majority of perimenopausal suffering is due to a combination of subtle or significant poor metabolic health parameters accumulated over the first half of life, become far more visible and experiential when ovulation becomes irregular and eventually ceases?
In part, the loss of progesterone acting as a buffer to us experiencing what has been compounding beneath the surface, alongside fluctuations and the subsequent reduction of estrogen that previously supported a host of interior processes, contribute to this. These processes include aspects of brain function; heart, genito-urinary and bone health; and mood.
The changes in hormone levels can certainly drive their own symptoms, however if sex hormones were solely responsible for what are currently being named and blamed as perimenopausal symptoms, every woman would experience them and this is not the case. Many women go through perimenopause with mild or few signs that they are in the midst of this transition. So with the goal of alleviating suffering for those who are, or simply for a broader consideration of this time in women’s lives, let’s discuss A Metabolic Health Approach to Perimenopause.
with Professor Kerry Bone
Our modern lifestyle of poor nutrition and sedentary behaviour, combined with exposure to stress, immune challenges and environmental toxins, has created a perfect storm for the epidemic of metabolic health challenges we now face. These metabolic disturbances can severely compromise health in a range of body systems, including cardiovascular, endocrine, liver, musculoskeletal, blood sugar regulation, mood and cognition.
The biomedical research in this area is vast and continually expanding. This new information gives the natural clinician a unique advantage in solving this complex health puzzle, through our capacity to instantly translate state of the art research findings into today’s clinical practice.
In this presentation you will learn:
with Dr Darren Morton
Amidst the current mental health crisis, there is growing evidence that lifestyle-based strategies can significantly improve both hedonic and eudemonic wellbeing. In this engaging presentation we shall explore exciting developments from the fields of Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology, which are being advocated as frontline therapy for affective disorders. You will leave this presentation with insights for lifting your mood and your life.
with Angela Hywood
This session will delve into the intricate realm of women's health through the lifespan. Angela will present three diverse case studies spanning different reproductive age periods.
In each of the cases, Angela will provide her practical insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches she has refined over decades of clinical practice.
Through unravelling the intricacies of each complex case, Angela will share her well-crafted and individualised treatment plans, which have empowered these women to achieve optimal health and well-being throughout their reproductive journey.
with Sandra Villella
Premenstrual disorders encompasses an array of psychological symptoms, as well as physical symptoms. It is the timing of these symptoms, as well as the degree of impact on daily activity, that leads to a diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
While the aetiology of PMS/PMDD is uncertain, currently two theories are accepted. It is suggested that some females are “sensitive” to progesterone and progestogens. The second proposes an interaction or responsiveness of the neurotransmitters serotonin and gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA), which are responsive to either oestrogen or progesterone or allopregnanolone, respectively. So contrary to the popular and largely unsubstantiated believe that these disorders are associated with an “oestrogen dominance”, there is in not a difference in ovarian production of sex steroids, but rather, an enhanced responsiveness to fluctuations of these hormones.
Sandra will bring to light these theories and marry them with effective and targeted herbal, nutritional and lifestyle treatments, drawing on the evidence and clinical experience.
with David Casteleijn
David, a passionate herbalist, with extensive clinical experience will guide participants in utilising herbal medicine effectively for anxiety management. Through detailed explanations of herbal properties and their actions, David will highlight their roles in modulating the body's stress response and promoting emotional balance.
With a focus on practical application, David will share strategies for differentiating between various herbs and selecting the most suitable options for individual patients. He will address important considerations such as patient symptomatology, contraindications, and showcase how he uses the herbs to build upon each other to align with patient’s needs over time.
Using real-life case studies and patient scenarios, David will demonstrate assessment of patient needs, formulating personalised herbal blends, and monitoring treatment outcomes over time.
with Professor Kerry Bone
Promoting positive physical, emotional and social well-being is crucial for overall health, particularly in men who often neglect self-care and support. Inadequate attention to these aspects can lead to difficulties in coping with life's challenges, compounded by declining testosterone levels and age-related changes in the male endocrine system. While ageing itself isn't synonymous with disease, functional problems may arise, and the concept of "andropause", or late-onset functional hypogonadism, has gained significant research attention.
As men age, they may also face challenges related to insulin resistance. Is there a connection between insulin resistance and the changes in the male endocrine system? Exploring this link is essential for a comprehensive understanding of men's health.
In this upcoming presentation, Kerry Bone will delve into our current understanding of the male endocrine system, exploring common conditions that affect men. Highlighting the value of six key herbs, including an exciting new option, Kerry will share his insights into supporting male health. Drawing from his extensive clinical practice, he will illustrate the effectiveness of the FHT approach.
The presentation will cover various clinical challenges, including:
By attending this session, healthcare professionals can enhance their knowledge and treatment strategies, ultimately ensuring that their male patients can lead fulfilling lives with improved well-being.