Jill Storstein Acupuncture& Nutrition Aberfeldy

12/05/2026

This is a great piece of news today for those women struggling with PMOS (formerly PCOS) and for those of us working in the field. Polycystic O***y Syndrome has been renamed at long last to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome to better a better reflection of what the condition actually is and correct a misconception. PCOS was named originally because lots of small bumps are often (but not always) visible on the ovaries on ultrasound- these were mistakenly called cysts. They are not cysts, but immature follicles that have not been able to mature and release an egg due to hormonal imbalances. It is these hormonal imbalances which affect s*x hormones and blood glucose signalling hormones that cause the symptoms. It can result in a menstrual cycle disruptions and a lot more besides including issues with metabolism, blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular risks, anxiety, depression and more. The good news is that there is a lot we can do to support these issues and it doesn’t have to involve pharmaceutical medications. Renaming and reframing it is likely to help women get the correct diagnosis more easily and the right information and support. It also will improve research into this condition that rather than being seen simply as a problem, should be understood that it is actually an evolutionary adaptation to cope with scarcity that has become a problem in times of abundance and disruption to the HPAO-axis.

27/02/2026

When you’re under stress — whether that’s work pressure, relationship strain, chronic sleep deprivation, over-exercising, or fighting a long-term virus or hidden infection — your body activates a built-in survival system.

This system is called the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis). It begins in the brain and communicates throughout the body via hormonal and chemical messengers, linking your nervous, immune, digestive and circulatory systems.

When switched on, it helps you cope by:

• Raising blood sugar and insulin to provide quick energy
• Stimulating the immune system
• Diverting energy away from “non-essential” systems like digestion and reproduction

This is helpful in the short term.

But when the stress response stays chronically activated, you may notice symptoms such as low libido, digestive issues, fatigue and weight gain (often around the middle), driven by persistently elevated cortisol and insulin.

Recovery from chronic stress takes more than willpower. It requires nourishment, intentional change and the right support.

This is where I can help.

I work with you to identify your unique stressors and create achievable, supportive changes. Together we focus on practical, realistic nutrition strategies to stabilise blood sugar and replenish depleted systems. Acupuncture can further support you by calming the nervous system, improving sleep, easing anxiety and helping your body shift out of survival mode.

Your symptoms are not random — they’re signals. And with the right guidance, your body can regain balance.

05/01/2026

Happy new year everyone. Hope you had a restful and fun festive period. I had a lovely time catching up with with family and friends over Christmas and Hogmanay. So far this year, I have been taking things really easy for a few days getting out for some spectacular winter walks, having tasty meals and then settling down for a coorie in with a jigsaw in front of the fire. Bliss. Feeling fully recharged and ready to get started back in clinic tomorrow. I’m booked up these first two weeks, but have space again towards end of January if you’re looking to get your health in hand for 2026. Link in bio to book your free discovery call.

11/12/2025

Had a wonderful day in London. The weather was a whole lot nicer there than it’s been back home. But best of all, I got to meet and my fellow colleagues who have been doing her course. It has been a wonderful year long CPD extravaganza diving deeply into physiology of hormones, immune, metabolic, genomic, cardiovascular, bone and so much more - covering pathophysiology, blood chemistries, treatment options and more. It has been a wonderfully supportive environment, full of “aha” moments synthesising and strengthening my knowledge of all things women’s health (and much of it is relevant to men too!).
It was great to meet all these wonderful women in person too after a year of virtually meeting through zoom.

11/12/2025

Yesterday I spent a large part of the day on the train to London… Gave me time to do some reading of this book by Dr Wright which I would highly recommend for anyone suffering from or - a functional, holistic approach to managing two potentially life limiting conditions…. And what was I doing in London? See the next post!

03/11/2025

You think you know a subject well, then you have a lecture with the amazing and your mind is blown and loads of dots joined together… Endometriosis masterclass today is an incredible way to spend a rainy Monday…

11/07/2025

I got this lovely message from a nutrition therapy client of mine. She was suffering from debilitating post-viral fatigue. She’d had to have periods of time off work and was so fatigued, even just short walks would leave her exhausted. We worked together over a few months, working on dietary changes to suit her individual needs, did some functional tests to look for underlying causes and worked on gut support. Just wonderful to hear that she’s getting back to doing the things she loves.

06/03/2025

✨ Endometriosis Awareness Week 2025

Endo affects 1 in 10 people, yet diagnosis can take years. There is more to it than painful periods —it’s a chronic inflammatory condition linked to immune dysfunction, gut health, and hormone imbalance. It can have a significant impact on people’s daily lives and can impact fertility.

It can manifest very differently from woman to woman… Some have severe pain, others may have only a little. Some have crippling fatigue, others may have bloating and random body pain.

The most common Signs & Symptoms:

👉Pelvic pain (can occur anytime, often worst during periods)
👉Heavy or irregular bleeding (not in all cases)
👉Severe bloating (“endo belly”)
👉Pain during s*x, bowel movements, or urination
👉Fatigue & digestive issues

The Inflammation & Immune Connection

👉Endometriosis is driven by viscous cycle of chronic inflammation, worsening pain & immune dysfunction and can be compounded by stress, hormonal dysregulation and toxic overload.
👉A dysregulated immune system may drive its growth & spread.
👉Gut health & the microbiome influence inflammation & hormone balance.

👩‍🔬Environmental Triggers & Endocrine Disruptors – commonly used chemicals including BPA, phthalates (found in plastics, cosmetics and hygiene products), Dioxins (industrial pollutants) and PFAS (found in household products) have been shown in research to be a significant driver of hormonal and immune dysregulation. 👍Using clean, environmentally friendly products & switching plastic for glass and stainless steel can help lower the toxic burden.

👍Supporting Gut & Vaginal Health helps too. Following the suggestions above can help but if you are struggling, seeking help from a registered nutritional therapist to guide you on your journey can make a difference.

✨ Early awareness = better management! If you suspect endo, seek medical advice early. You are not alone. 💛

📢 Spread the word! Tag a friend & share this post.

24/12/2024

This can be a tricky year for many with complicated and conflicting feelings. I do love Christmas but have had a few very difficult Christmasses as I’m sure most have. Our families shift and change over time which can bring up feelings of loss at family orientated times like Christmas. Not everyone has much family left, ever had family or has a poor relationship with theirs. Family isn’t just those we are born into but those we make through our lives in the form of friendships and support networks. It’s all part of being human, finding celebration where we can when we feel able, feel the sadness if we need to and embrace the darkness of mid-winter by bringing light and warmth into our homes - whatever that make look like.
Wishing you warmth, comfort and happy moments the festive season.

I’m taking some time off from work just - I’ll catch up with messages and responses in the new year - unless it’s a more time-sensitive message- I’ll get back to you after Christmas. Xx

22/11/2024

There has most definitely been a shift in the weather this week to let us know winter is here. I love these crisp frosty days, the winter light on sunny days and taking walks to look at the incredible ice formations. There are definitely down sides to winter too - by the time you read this, the weather could well have turned to that gloomy, damp type of winter weather which see so much of in the UK, and even more so up here in Highland Perthshire where I am. After a while that can really start to get you down, added to that we are so much more likely to catch colds and other bugs at this time of year…

I’ve prepared an article about vitamin D and looking after your health in winter. Vitamin D is essential for your immune system, bone health mental health and more. Deficiencies in it can lead to serious health issues too. So click on my bio above to read more. I’ve also got a wee freebie for you to help you keep yourself in tip top health.
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22/11/2024

Winter is definitely here which means we need to think about protecting our immunity and vitamin D levels. I've written a blog about why vitamin D is so important and have a free guide to keeping your self well in a downloadable eBook. Click on link below to read the article and scroll to the end to download your free guide.

Why is vitamin D so important and why is it low in so many people? Plus get a free eBook