Last Updated on 9 June 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Hello, I’m Amy Angus and I am a degree qualified Naturopath, providing services to men and women from all walks of life. My aim as a Naturopath is to help men and women understand and care naturally for their body’s, and to assist them in understanding how to effectively manage and maximise their personal health. Within clinical practice, I focus on a wide range of health conditions including hormone disorders, immune dysfunction, digestive disorders, liver conditions and mental health, especially stress and anxiety management.
I have a special interest in women’s health. My aim is to assist women in becoming aware of hormone-related conditions, and how to better manage them.
I place emphasis on the management and treatment of:
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Amenorrhea
- Dysmenorrhea
- Acne
As with all my work as a Naturopath, my special interest in women’s health requires continuous research to apply the latest in traditional evidence-based medicine and scientific research to ensure a holistic and patient-centred approach. Every client will receive a personalised treatment plan that best suits them in accordance with my multi-modality evidence-based approach. I wish for all my clients to live healthy, balanced, and vibrant lives.
My passion for helping women with hormonal disturbances stems from my own experience. In 2017 I struggled with stage 4 endometriosis. My primary symptoms included severe dysmenorrhea, acne, and fatigue. Since then, I have worked hard researching, testing, and generally broadening my understanding of the topic. I have tested numerous, herbal, vitamin, and mineral formulas, including some surprisingly effective new remedies, to find relief. These past few years have taught me so much, I have the knowledge to share, and I wish to help as many women as possible who are suffering from similar conditions both as a woman and a Naturopath
To raise awareness about this chronic condition, I have briefly outlined what endometriosis is, how it may develop, and what the treatment process should entail.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disease primarily affecting reproductive-aged women characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. It is a debilitating disease impacting the quality of life of these women. The primary symptom of endometriosis is chronic pelvic pain, other common symptoms include abnormal menstruation or an irregular menstrual cycle, acne, mood disorders, gastrointestinal complaints, and infertility. (1)
How do you develop endometriosis?
Conclusive evidence regarding the aetiology of endometriosis is lacking. However, it is important to note that although endometriosis is affected by hormones, it is not a hormonal condition, but instead an inflammatory immune disease. It is negatively affected by oestrogen but not caused by oestrogen. Immune dysfunction is what prevents the immune system from clearing up endometrial lesions. It is also what promotes the growth and invasion of those lesions. (2)
Some factors associated with the increased risk of endometriosis include:
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
- Early age menarche
- Shorter menstrual cycle lengths
- Alcohol use
- Caffeine intake (1)
How can endometriosis be treated?
Surgical excision of the lesions is effective for both pain and fertility. Unfortunately, the lesions grow back within five years in more than 50% of women. (3) NSAID’s and the OCP offer temporary symptomatic relief to some, but they do not heal the disease. Once the drug is removed, the endometriosis will likely return to its normal disease state. (1)
Treatment should involve nutritional supplementation, herbal medicine, and dietary and lifestyle modifications, focusing on improving immune function, reducing inflammation, correcting nutritional deficiencies, and alleviating associated symptoms. Some effective dietary recommendations and products and that I frequently prescribe to clients suffering from endometriosis include:
- Turmeric for its potent anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antioxidant effects. Turmeric reduces the activity and size of endometriosis lesions by reducing the inflammatory protein NF-kappa B, and by blocking oestrogen’s stimulating effect. (4)
- Zinc is a key nutrient that has been demonstrated to be deficient in endometriosis sufferers. Zinc interferes with many biological processes including inflammation and pain, and immunity, which appear to be the base of the development of the lesions. (5)
- Iodine due to its anti-oestrogen effect. Iodine works by down-regulating oestrogen receptors and promoting healthy oestrogen metabolism, and stabilising estrogen-sensitive tissue including the uterus, ovaries, breasts, and the brain. (6)
- PEA for pain relief. A recent study displayed promising results for the efficacy of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) in reducing painful symptomatology and improving quality of life as well as psychological well-being in patients suffering from endometriosis. Additionally, this treatment did not show any serious side effects. (7)
- White Peony for its powerful hormone modulatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. (8)
- Dairy-free and gluten-free diets. Both dairy and gluten disrupt hormone and immune function and stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines and thus increase pain. (9)
As a Naturopath, my goal is to treat the cause of illness, whilst healing associated symptoms, and detecting early indicators of ill health. Naturopathy encourages the body’s innate healing power with the use of herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, mineral therapy, dietary changes, and education. I practice as a Naturopath on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at the Wavell Heights Clinic to help you reach your health goals!
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