http://www.liannapowellnaturopath.com/

Lianna Powell Naturopath, Ballina (2025)

12/11/2025

Let’s talk about the wonderful hormone progesterone.

It’s your calm, steady, fee-good hormone the one that helps you sleep soundly, feel emotionally grounded, and prepare your body for a healthy cycle (and pregnancy).

But: you only make progesterone after you ovulate.
So if ovulation isn’t strong, progesterone will be low and that’s often a symptom of what’s happening upstream, not the root cause.

✔️ Chronic stress can suppress LH pulsatility, reducing ovulation quality
✔️ Inflammation can impair corpus luteum function (your progesterone-producing gland)
✔️ Poor nutrient status (especially zinc, B6, cholesterol) limits hormone synthesis

Instead of “topping up” progesterone, we ask why it’s low and support your body to ovulate optimally, manage stress, and reduce inflammation.

When you support the whole ovulatory process, your progesterone naturally finds its rhythm.

🌸 Want to know more? Comment your questions below or send me a DM and let’s chat 🌸

03/09/2025

The oral contraceptive pill is one of the most common medications prescribed to women.

While it can be useful for contraception or symptom management, it often comes with hidden costs.

The pill switches off your natural hormone production and replaces it with synthetic versions. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies, mood changes, weight gain, bloating, headaches, and even increased risks of clots, depression, and certain cancers.

The pill is usually prescribed as a “band-aid” for hormonal issues. It masks symptoms instead of addressing the root cause. When you stop, those same issues often return, sometimes more intensely.

I created The Naturopathic Guide to the Pill (and Transitioning Off With Confidence) to give you the knowledge and strategies you need to support your body while on the pill and transition off safely.

Inside you’ll learn:
* How the pill really works in your body
* The risks and side effects you’re rarely told about
* Nutrient and lifestyle strategies for support
* How to restore your cycle and hormone balance after stopping
* Evidence-based, natural contraceptive alternatives

If you’re on the pill or thinking of coming off, this guide will help you feel informed and confident.

Comment PILL below and I’ll send you the link.

27/08/2025

Most women only hear about HPV when it shows up on a cervical screening. The standard medical approach is often to test, wait, and re-test in 6–12 months, because in many cases the virus clears naturally.

But here’s the problem — waiting doesn’t address why HPV might persist. For some women, high-risk strains continue to linger, raising the risk of abnormal cells and cervical cancer.
Research shows HPV persistence is strongly influenced by:

* Immune resilience and nutrient status
* Gut and vaginal microbiome health
* Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
* Stress, sleep, and lifestyle factors

Simply re-testing without support may leave women feeling anxious, powerless, and unsure what they can do in the meantime.

This is where a naturopathic approach can make a real difference. By supporting your immune system, balancing microbiome health, and reducing inflammation, you can create the right conditions for HPV clearance.

My eBook, The Naturopathic Guide to HPV, to bridge the gap combining up-to-date science with practical, holistic strategies you can start right away.

Comment HPV below or send me a DM and I’ll send you the link.

22/08/2025

Irregular cycles. Stubborn weight. Acne or excess hair growth. These symptoms may all point to PCOS.

PCOS affects up to 1 in 5 women, yet it’s still widely misunderstood. It isn’t just about cysts on the ovaries… it’s a complex hormonal and metabolic condition with whole-body effects.

Current science shows:

* PCOS has strong genetic and epigenetic links, which may explain why it runs in families.
* Experts are calling for a name change, as the term “polycystic ovaries” doesn’t reflect the full syndrome.
* PCOS significantly increases cardiovascular risk, even in lean women, due to insulin resistance and inflammation.
* Mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, and disordered eating are common and need to be part of PCOS care.

That’s why I created The Naturopathic Guide to PCOS — a practical, evidence-based resource combining the latest science with holistic strategies for hormones, fertility, and long-term health.

Comment PCOS below and I’ll send you the link.

06/08/2025

Have you ever been told your swabs are clear, but you still have symptoms?

Ureaplasma is one of those stealth microbes—commonly found in the urogenital tract, but often overlooked in routine testing. It belongs to the Mollicutes group (alongside Mycoplasma) and requires PCR or vaginal microbiome testing to be identified.

While small amounts can be harmless, overgrowth has been associated with:
– Recurrent thrush or BV
– UTI symptoms with no bacterial findings
– Vaginal burning, discharge, irritation, or post-coital pain
– Infertility, miscarriage, and poor implantation outcomes

In my clinic, I see Ureaplasma frequently in clients who feel like they’ve tried everything. These cases often resolve only once we identify and address microbial imbalances at the root.

A naturopathic approach doesn’t just kill off bugs—we focus on restoring the vaginal terrain, improving immune resilience, and rebuilding a protective Lactobacillus-dominant microbiome.

Still dealing with stubborn symptoms that don’t make sense? It’s time to dig deeper.

Send me a message to learn more about vaginal microbiome testing and personalised treatment options or book an appointment to get started right away. Link in bio 🌸

23/07/2025

Recurring UTIs aren’t just annoying; they can be a sign of deeper dysfunction in the vaginal microbiome, immune system, or mucosal health.
While antibiotics are sometimes necessary, repeated use can disrupt protective flora, weaken the vaginal ecosystem, and increase susceptibility to reinfection.
From a naturopathic perspective, prevention focuses on restoring balance rather than simply eliminating pathogens.

This post explores key areas to support:
 ✔️ Intimate hygiene practices that preserve healthy flora ✔️ Avoiding bladder irritants that compromise the mucosal barrier ✔️ Strengthening the vaginal microbiome with targeted strategies ✔️ Using antioxidant-rich foods and herbs to reduce inflammation and bacterial adhesion ✔️ Balancing blood sugar to avoid excess glucose in urine, which fuels bacterial growth

If UTIs are a regular part of your life, it may be time to look beyond short-term fixes. Testing your vaginal or gut microbiome, screening for underlying immune or hormonal drivers, and building a personalised prevention plan can make a real difference.

Targeted, holistic care can help reduce recurrence and restore confidence in your body’s natural defence systems.

🌸 Want to explore this further? Send me a message and let’s chat about your next steps. 🌸

04/07/2025

These hidden chemicals could be disrupting your hormones

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are substances that interfere with the way your body makes, uses, or breaks down hormones. Even in small doses, they can affect fertility, thyroid function, metabolism, and mood — especially with daily, repeated exposure.

The scary part? Many of them are hiding in everyday items like plastic, makeup, non-stick pans, receipts, and even “freshly scented” laundry detergent.

These chemicals can: ✔️ Mimic oestrogen and drive hormonal symptoms ✔️ Block testosterone and reduce s***m health ✔️ Interfere with thyroid and adrenal function ✔️ Accumulate in fat tissue and disrupt long-term hormonal signalling

You’ll find them in: – Plastic food containers & drink bottles (BPA, BPS) – Personal care products (parabens, phthalates) – Scented candles, perfumes & air fresheners – Non-stick cookware (PFAS) – Canned foods, receipts, and pesticide residues on produce

You don’t have to be perfect — but you can reduce your load by making intentional swaps over time.

Knowledge is power when it comes to your hormones. Save this post for later or share it with someone you care about.
 

03/07/2025

S***m does more than fertilise the egg — it also helps build the placenta

S***m isn’t just a carrier of DNA. It plays a critical role in early embryo development and the formation of the trophoblast layer — the structure that becomes the placenta.

The placenta is essential for: ✔️ Nutrient and oxygen delivery ✔️ Hormonal communication ✔️ Immune tolerance and embryo protection

What most people don’t realise is that s***m quality — and s***m epigenetics — directly influence how the placenta forms and functions.

During s***matogenesis, s***m undergo epigenetic reprogramming influenced by: – Diet and nutrient status – Oxidative stress – Environmental exposures – Age and alcohol use

Research shows that poor s***m DNA integrity and altered epigenetic marks can affect: - Placental development - Embryo implantation - Risk of miscarriage or pregnancy complications

This is why male preconception care is just as important as female preparation — especially when it comes to fertility, IVF, and long-term health of the baby.

Want to explore male fertility testing, nutrients for s***m health, and personalised guidance? Get in touch and let’s chat mens health!

02/07/2025

What men eat really matters—especially for s***m health, hormone balance, and fertility

Research shows that key nutrients from everyday foods like antioxidant-rich blueberries and zinc-loaded oysters can make a real difference in:

- S***m motility, morphology, and count
- Testosterone production and hormone regulation
- Reducing oxidative stress and protecting s***m DNA

Supporting your fertility starts with what’s on your plate. You can’t supplement your way out of a bad diet! Nourish your body now—your future self, will thank you.

29/06/2025

Spotting before your period? That’s a red flag for low progesterone

If you notice light bleeding, brown discharge, or spotting in the days leading up to your period — it could be a sign that your luteal phase isn’t holding due to low progesterone.

Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation and is essential for:
 ✔️ Maintaining the uterine lining ✔️ Supporting implantation and early pregnancy ✔️ Calming the nervous system and balancing oestrogen

When levels drop too early, the endometrium begins to break down — leading to spotting, shortened cycles, and even difficulty conceiving.

Common signs of luteal phase insufficiency include: 💥 Spotting 1–5 days before your period 💥 Short luteal phase (

Lianna Powell Naturopath

12/11/2025

03/09/2025

27/08/2025

22/08/2025

06/08/2025

23/07/2025

04/07/2025

03/07/2025

02/07/2025

29/06/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category