Handcrafted Health

09/06/2026

Finding more hair in the brush lately? 🌿

You're not imagining it. And no, it's not 'just stress.'

Hair shedding is one of the most distressing. and least talked about. symptoms of perimenopause.

Here's what's actually happening:

As oestrogen and progesterone shift, hair follicles become more sensitive to androgens (male hormones we all carry). This can push follicles into a resting phase earlier than usual, leading to increased shedding, thinning at the crown, or a less full ponytail.

But the root cause is rarely just hormones alone.

In clinic, I also look at:

Iron and ferritin levels (low ferritin is a silent culprit)
• Thyroid function
• Zinc and B-vitamin status
• Scalp circulation and inflammation
• Stress load on the nervous system

The good news? There is so much we can do.

Nutrition, targeted herbs like rosemary and nettle, nutraceuticals, and lifestyle shifts can make a real difference when we address the full picture, not just one piece of it.

If you've been brushing it off (pun intended), this is your sign to look deeper.

Comment HAIR below or head to the link in bio to book a Discovery Call. I'd love to help you get some answers. https://handcraftedhealth.com.au/handcrafted-health-neutral-bay-book-online-now/ #

04/06/2026

Stress and menopause — they make each other worse. Here's why. 🌿
If you've noticed that stress hits differently now than it used to — you're not imagining it.
During perimenopause and menopause, falling oestrogen and progesterone affect the exact same systems in your brain that regulate your stress response. So your threshold drops. You feel more overwhelmed, more reactive, more wired — on the same amount of stress that you used to handle without blinking.
And then the stress itself drives up cortisol — which disrupts your sleep, throws your blood sugar around, and makes your hormonal symptoms worse.
It's a cycle. And it's exhausting.
The good news? Understanding it is the first step to breaking it. 💜
Save this if it resonates, and share it with a woman in your life who needs to hear that she's not just "bad at stress" — her biology has changed.
🎥 Watch Episode 2 of my YouTube series for the full picture — link in bio. https://www.youtube.com/
📩 Ready for personalised support? Book a discovery call via the link below.

03/06/2026

Episode 1 is here — and if you've been feeling unlike yourself lately, this one is for you. 🌿
In today's episode I'm answering the question I get asked more than almost any other in clinic:
What is perimenopause — really?
Because here's what I see constantly as a naturopath — women in their 40s and 50s experiencing anxiety, broken sleep, brain fog, hair thinning, and mood changes that feel completely foreign to them.
And nobody has connected it to their hormones.
If that sounds familiar — this episode will change how you understand what's happening in your body.
We cover: ✅ What perimenopause actually is — and how it's different from menopause ✅ Why it can start earlier than most women expect ✅ The symptoms that consistently get missed or misdiagnosed ✅ What's happening with your oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone ✅ Three practical things you can do right now
This is Episode 1 of a full year of content — every Wednesday, right here.
▶️ Watch now: https://youtu.be/N4ZOY0RcvtA
And if you're ready for personalised support — book a discovery call with me via the link below. I offer consultations in clinic at Neutral Bay and via telehealth Australia-wide.
Tag a woman who needs to hear this 💜

What is perimenopause — really?In this first episode, naturopath a...

02/06/2026

Did you know menopause can cause you to lose up to 5% of your bone density every year? 🦴
Most women don't hear about this until it's already happening — and by then the window for early action has passed.
Swipe through to understand exactly what's happening in your bones during perimenopause and menopause — and what you can actually do about it.
Save this post 🔖 — your future self will thank you.
And if you're ready for support that's personalised to you — book a discovery call via the link in my bio.
💜 Tag a woman who needs to see this.
menopause

01/06/2026

Stress and menopause — they make each other worse. Here's why. 🌿
If you've noticed that stress hits differently now than it used to — you're not imagining it.
During perimenopause and menopause, falling oestrogen and progesterone affect the exact same systems in your brain that regulate your stress response. So your threshold drops. You feel more overwhelmed, more reactive, more wired — on the same amount of stress that you used to handle without blinking.
And then the stress itself drives up cortisol — which disrupts your sleep, throws your blood sugar around, and makes your hormonal symptoms worse.
It's a cycle. And it's exhausting.
The good news? Understanding it is the first step to breaking it. 💜
Save this if it resonates, and share it with a woman in your life who needs to hear that she's not just "bad at stress" — her biology has changed.
🎥 Watch Episode 2 of my YouTube series for the full picture — link in bio.
📩 Ready for personalised support? Book a discovery call via the link below.

Hashtags to add:

28/05/2026

When Hair Loss Feels Like Losing Part of Yourself
For many women, losing hair during menopause can feel deeply emotional and confronting. Hair is often tied to identity, femininity, confidence, and vitality, so noticing thinning hair or increased shedding can feel like losing a part of yourself. Many women describe feeling less attractive, older than they expected, or frustrated that they no longer recognise the woman looking back at them in the mirror. It can quietly chip away at self-esteem and add to the emotional load already carried during menopause — especially when combined with fatigue, weight changes, brain fog, or mood shifts. Beyond the physical symptom, hair loss can symbolise the broader transition of menopause itself: change, loss, uncertainty, and redefining identity. Compassionate support, understanding, and personalised care can make an enormous difference in helping women feel seen, supported, and empowered through this stage of life.

26/05/2026

Hair thinning during menopause is REAL — and it’s rarely caused by just one thing.

Some of the common drivers can include:
• Declining estrogen
• Increased sensitivity to androgens (like DHT)
• Chronic stress & elevated cortisol
• Poor sleep
• Low iron or nutrient deficiencies
• Thyroid imbalances
• Inflammation & blood sugar dysregulation
• Genetics
• Rapid dieting or weight loss

Your hair follicles are highly sensitive to what’s happening inside your body — hormonally, nutritionally, emotionally, and metabolically.

The good news?
When we identify the underlying drivers, there are often ways to better support your hair, health, and vitality.

Hair loss is not “just cosmetic.”
And you deserve to feel heard, supported, and informed.
If you’re struggling with hair thinning in midlife, personalised assessment and testing can help uncover what may be contributing to your symptoms.

25/05/2026

Many women notice increased hair shedding during perimenopause and menopause, but hormones are only part of the story. Chronic stress can significantly affect the hair growth cycle by increasing cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. When stress remains elevated over time, the body shifts resources away from “non-essential” functions like hair growth and towards survival pathways, potentially triggering thinning, shedding, and slower regrowth. One useful way to better understand the body’s stress response is through assessing the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) — the natural rise in cortisol that should occur within the first 30–45 minutes after waking. A disrupted CAR may suggest the nervous system is under strain, whether from ongoing emotional stress, burnout, poor sleep, inflammation, blood sugar imbalance, or overwhelm. Supporting hair health in menopause often requires more than supplements alone — it may involve calming the nervous system, restoring resilience, improving sleep, nourishing the body well, and helping women feel safe and supported again from the inside out. For more information, read the latest blog at Handcrafted Health. https://handcraftedhealth.com.au/menopausal-hair-loss/