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Intimate Ecology - Moira Bradfield, Gold Coast (2026)

16/09/2026

If you are feeling overwhelmed with your Vaginal health and haven't stepped back to observe your patterns, our upcoming FREE 7 day Vaginal Health Challenge may be just what you need.
We will be releasing the details in the coming week.

7 days
7 emails with tips, tricks, education and prompts
Free limited time short educational webinar bonus

Save, share and comment on this post for updates. Stay tuned!

**nalhealth **nalmicrobiome

14/09/2026

When we're investigating v4ginal microbiome health, hormone testing can give us another useful piece of the ecological puzzle.

But when we test matters.

For a cycling person, I will commonly look at hormones around Day 2–3, and then return to assess peak luteal hormones later in the cycle.

Why?

Because I'm not simply looking for a hormone to be “high” or “low”.
I'm looking at patterns, relationships and rhythm.
What signalling is coming from the brain?
How are the ovaries responding?
Did ovulation likely occur?
What happened to progesterone afterwards?
And what hormonal environment are the v4ginal tissues and microbes actually experiencing?

We know hormonal patterns can influence the va**nal epithelium, glycogen availability, pH, immune activity and other features of the local environment. And those conditions can influence the opportunities available to beneficial microbes, opportunistic bacteria and fungi.

Sometimes a hormonal picture that gets labelled “estrogen dominance”, for example, may be less about excessive estrogen and more about anovulation and insufficient progesterone production.

At other times, substantial pituitary signalling may be required just to achieve relatively modest ovarian hormone output. The number alone isn't the everything (hormones do fluctuate and they are a snapshot). But the microbiome report doesn't give us everything either.

Relationships matter.
Timing matters.
Symptoms matter.
The case matters.

Hormone testing isn't a test of the v4ginal microbiome. But used thoughtfully, it can help us understand the hormonal environment that microbiome is influenced by.

We'll be exploring this, including which hormones, why, when, endogenous and exogenous hormones, menstrual cycling and what the evidence can actually tell us in:

Hormones + the V4ginal Microbiome
Tuesday 27 October | 11am AEST / 12pm AEDT
Live practitioner webinar + Q&A
6 month replay access | $99 AUD

BOOK NOW via the link in bio.

Beed support? Connect with an Intimate Ecology practitioner. Link in Bio.

**nalmicrobiome

12/09/2026

Research on hormonal contraception and the v4ginal microbiome is, in some ways, reassuring.
Combined oral contraceptive (COCP) use has been associated with more Lactobacillus dominance and microbiome stability, while hormonal contraception more broadly has been associated with reduced BV risk.

But there are some important caveats.

First, hormonal contraception is not one exposure. Some of the more reassuring microbiome evidence relates to combined estrogen / progestin contraception. We can’t automatically extrapolate those findings to progestin only pills, DMPA, implants or hormonal IUDs. The hormonal environments they create are different, and the evidence for progestin only methods is less consistent. We also know that for some, estrogen creates opportunity for fungal inhabitants and even viral persistence. And clinically whilst the above conclusions are the outcome of meta analysis the reality is not always protective for each individual.

Starting contraception may also coincide with changes in condom use, s3men exposure, s3xual frequency or partners, all of which can influence the v4ginal environment and microbiome.

We also have literature associating COCP use with vestibulodynia and altered vestibular pain sensitivity, although findings are mixed.
So we can potentially have a contraceptive associated with a more Lactobacillus dominant v4ginal microbiome while impacting hormones, tissues and pain sensitisation.

When assessing contraception, my clinical question is nuanced:

Q: Which hormonal exposure, in which person, producing which physiological changes, in what ecological context?

This is one of the areas we'll explore in Hormones & the V4ginal Microbiome, including where the evidence is strong, conflicting and unknown.

27 October | Live practitioner webinar | $99 AUD
Replay access for 6 months. Link in bio.

Need support? Book with an Intimate Ecology practitioner today.

11/09/2026

A glimpse into Jessie-Anne’s clinic week:

From persistent Aerobic V4ginitis with elevated E. coli, to progress with recurrent UTIs and recurrent thrush, alongside preconception fertility support.

Jessie-Anne’s clinical work has a strong focus on s3xual and reproductive health, supporting people with v4ginal and urinary microbiome concerns, fertility and preconception care, and the health of couples and partners.

Her care is inclusive of different relationship structures, including couples, partners and polycules, with space to consider how s3xual health, shared microbiomes, fertility goals and individual wellbeing can intersect.

Jessie-Anne is available for online consultations on Tuesdays.

Bookings via Intimate Ecology and link in Bio.

**nalmicrobiome

09/09/2026

Health practitioners, there is some exciting education coming your way.

Join the Intimate Ecology Health Practitioner mailing list to hear about upcoming practitioner webinars, new clinical education and resources.

You’ll receive access to our FREE Beyond the Microbes Practitioner Lunch & Learn on 14 October, plus the Before You Test practitioner guide.

This list is specifically for health practitioners interested in va**nal, genitourinary and microbiome education.

Join the practitioner education list via the link in bio to receive your resources, Lunch & Learn invitation and upcoming education updates.

x

Dr. Moira Bradfield Strydom (PhD, M.Acu. B.Nat)

Intimate Ecology

09/09/2026

couple of October clinic updates to pop in your diary. It may seem a little early but it is usally now that people are considering booking their October appointment.

From 1st October 2026, our return consultation fees will increase. It has been some years since we last adjusted our pricing, and this change helps us continue providing the same level of care and practitioner support. Prepaying when you book via our online diary secures the consultation fee current at the time of booking.

Then from Sunday 4th October, daylight saving begins in several Australian states.

Our clinic is based in Queensland and as such our diary default is AEST, where the clocks don’t change. When booking online, you can select your own state/timezone, so your appointment will be shown according to the timezone you selected. If you are in NSW, VIC, TAS, ACT you will be 1 hour ahead of QLD.

If you have an appointment around the daylight saving change, please check your booking confirmation email, which clearly shows the state/timezone your appointment time was booked in.

If you’ve been booking returns directly with your practitioner, they may already have discussed this with you and chosen the relevant timezone for you. And if you’re unsure, just contact the clinic before your appointment. [email protected]

1 October: return consultation pricing changes
4 October: daylight saving begins in participating states

A little advance notice to hopefully keep October running smoothly.
X
Moira

01/09/2026

I read it and at first glance, the takeaway sounds exciting: a L. crispatus “postbiotic” improved outcomes when added to standard clobetasol treatment.

We desperately need more research exploring the microbiome, immune environment and v***al health in LS.
But it’s also a great example of why we need to read beyond the headline. The researchers didn’t actually apply L. crispatus to the v***a and the impacts weren’t from a probiotic applied or ingested.

They grew a specific strain of L. crispatus in a lab, then centrifuged and filtered it to remove the bacteria. Participants received 100 μL of the remaining cell-free supernatant alongside clobetasol; the comparison group received clobetasol plus saline.
Essentially, they applied the environment L. crispatus had been growing in, containing products accumulated during fermentation.

So when we read further...
We don’t really know what was in it.
Lactic acid? Other organic acids? Bacteriocins? Peptides? Other metabolites? Altered pH? A combination?
The preparation wasn’t characterised well enough in the methods for us to know :(

So while it’s tempting to conclude:
“L. crispatus is beneficial for lichen sclerosus” that’s not what this research demonstrates.
It tells us that something produced by this particular strain, may have therapeutic potential alongside standard LS treatment.

That isn’t a reason to dismiss the research. Research poses questions, that is the point. And it’s great to see more research into LS, the v***al ecosystem and microbial function. But early research isn’t a clinical conclusion.
Do I use probiotics containing L. crispatus in LS care? Yes, to support specific microbiome changes. This research adds curiosity around potential mechanisms. But for now, we can’t say using L. crispatus improves LS.

Liao H, et al. (2026). Postbiotics originated from Lactobacillus crispatus NCU-31 improves v***ar lichen sclerosus: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial. BMC Microbiology, 26(1), 188.

25/08/2026

We talk increasingly about partners sharing bacteria in recurrent bacterial v4ginosis (BV). Most recent attention has focused on p3nis/v4gina partnerships, but there is an important story in AFAB same s3x partnerships too.

Australian data from Melbourne Sexual Health Centre found BV in 14.8% of women who had s3x exclusively with women/AFAB, compared with 7.7% of who had s3x exclusively with men.

Other studies have also found high BV prevalence in women/AFAB who have s3x with women, along with striking similarities between the v4ginal microbiota of partners.
In one study of monogamous couples, v4ginal flora categories were concordant in 95% of couples.

That does not mean we should simply label BV an STI.
It does mean that s3x connects microbial ecosystems.

Potential influences include:
• sharing of v4ginal fluids
• digital pe*******on
• shared s3x toys
• transfer of bacteria between v***al, v4ginal and other body sites
• friction and mechanical disruption
• temporary changes to va**nal pH

BV associated bacteria including Gardnerella, Prevotella and Fannyhessea have been identified across s3xual partners.

New AFAB partners have also been associated with increased v4ginal bacterial diversity and bacterial load.
So when BV keeps returning, it can be useful to ask what keeps shaping this ecosystem?

That may include pH, hormones, menstruation, biofilm, s3xual practices and microbial exchange between partners.

Importantly, we still don't have the same quality of partner treatment evidence for couples where both partners have a v4gina as we now have for p3nis/v4gina couples.
Researchers at Melbourne S3xual Health Centre are studying simultaneous BV treatment in LGBTQIA+ couples through the PACT research program to help answer exactly this question.

So, we wait for the outcomes of their research.

If recurrent BV is part of your story, particularly when symptoms seem closely linked with s3x, this is something we can explore at Intimate Ecology.

Link in Bio

21/08/2026

This question was a smaller part of my PhD research, but an interesting one. RVVC/recurrent thrush gives us a good reason to start thinking about multiple microbiomes, rather than looking at the v4gina in isolation.

In our small pilot study, we examined both v4ginal and gastrointestinal bacterial and fungal microbiomes in people with RVVC using intermittent or maintenance fluconazole, alongside healthy controls.

A few things stood out:

*Gut microbial diversity wasn't significantly different between groups. We didn't see evidence of a dramatic loss of gut microbial diversity associated with fluconazole use.

*We did see some differences in gut microbial composition, particularly in the maintenance-fluconazole group. Interesting? Yes. Evidence that fluconazole is “damaging the gut”? Not quite. This was a small study and needs further investigation. I do have my suspicions around long term use and constipation (purely clinical observations and it makes sense with the compoaition data).

*Most interestingly for me, matching Candida species between the gut and va**na were uncommon. Our findings didn't support the simple idea that the gut routinely acts as a Candida reservoir continually “reinfecting” the v4gina.

And that is a very useful potentially myth busting clinical practice shaping point.

Looking at multiple microbiomes doesn't mean everyone with RVVC needs gut testing, an intensive “gut protocol” or a highly restrictive anti Candida diet. And it certainly explains why so many people have limited luck with reducing recurrent thrush with gut only approaches.

It points to a need to consider the whole microbial and host environment, gut symptoms where relevant, diet, medications, hormones, immunity and v4ginal ecology, and investigating when there is a reason to.

Our study was small, so these are signals rather than final answers. But they give me some interesting directions for furure research.

Bradfield Strydom et al. (2025). The impact of fluconazole use on the fungal and bacterial microbiomes in recurrent Vulvova**nal Candidiasis.European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases.

21/08/2026

HPV persistence isn’t just about the virus.
The environment HPV is living in matters too.

Research is increasingly exploring the relationship between persistent HPV and the cervicov4ginal environment, including v4ginal pH, Lactobacillus dominance, microbial diversity, local inflammation and mucosal immune function.

So when HPV continues to be detected, particularly alongside low grade cervical cell changes, there can be value in looking beyond the HPV result itself.

At Intimate Ecology, Danni takes a broader view of HPV persistence, considering factors such as:

• v4ginal pH and microbiome composition
• cervical and v4ginal inflammation
• local and systemic immune function
• nutritional status
• hormonal influences
• smoking, stress, sleep and other lifestyle factors
• v4ginal symptoms or recurrent infections where relevant

Importantly, this doesn't replace cervical screening. HPV related cell changes need appropriate surveillance, and higher grade changes require closer medical monitoring and collaborative care.
But alongside that care, there may be more to explore about the environment in which HPV is persisting.

Danni works with clients with persistent HPV, using an evidence informed, whole person approach alongside appropriate cervical screening.
Interested in working with Danni?
Head to the links in our bio to learn more about Intimate Ecology, our approach and how to book.

Sun, C., Diao, H., Zhang, X., Han, Z., & Wei, J. (2025). Study on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, typing, peripheral blood immune factor expression and va**nal microenvironment balance in cervical cancer screening population. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 56, 100883.

Intimate Ecology - Moira Bradfield

16/09/2026

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09/09/2026

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