What are the opening hours?

Thursday 12pm - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

http://www.intimateecology.com.au/

Intimate Ecology - Moira Bradfield, Gold Coast (2026)

06/01/2026

Dr Moira Bradfield Strydom (Naturopath, PhD) discusses Biofilm busters and degraders, and why focussing on these as the primary intervention in v&ginal health issues may not get you the lasting change needed to support, modify and modulate the v&ginal microbiome. Sometimes, you need to think broader and support holisitic patterns.

Excuse the animal noises (cats and dogs!), noisy co-workers 🐕 🐈

Looking for support with your genitourinary health? Book an appointment with an Intimate Ecology practitioner today. Global online care. Link in Bio

Practitioner looking to learn more about how to work with the v&ginal microbiome? Vagiversity is open for enrolment for Feb start. Early bird closing Jan 8th, 2026. Link in Bio

DM for information about services.

04/01/2026

Off the back of yesterday's post on urinary odour I had a few questions about v&ginal odour come through.

It is not uncommon for people to mention they can smell their microbial imbalance especially if wearing synthetic fabrics e.g. at the gym or after sitting for prolonged periods. It can also be indicative of a infection pattern like Bacterial Vaginosis.

Odour is a common sign of microbial imbalance within the v&ginal microbiome.
Like urinary odour different smells can indicate different things and outside of microbial drivers there are also a range of causes.

Common microbial causes include (usually more prolonged and accompanied by changes to discharge and tissue health)..P.S very specific bacteria will also have slightly different odours:

*Bacterial V&ginosis: fishy (mild to strong)
*Aerobic V&ginitis: meaty, pungent, foul
*Cytolytic V&ginosis: acid, vinegar, ammonia
*Fungal shifts: sweet, ye**ty pungent, vinegar

Momentary odour that dissapears can include:
*Challenges from fluid exchange (saliva, s3men)
*Degrading s3men post in*******se
*Hormonally linked microbial growth (can change depending on where in the cycle you are)
*Hydration challenges
*Sweat induced microbial odour (usually resolves with a shower)
*Fabrics that don't breathe

As humans we can also have changes to normal odour which can appear different based on hormones, stage of life (menstruation, pregnancy, post partum, menopause), microbiome composition, diet and hydration.

Our recommendation is to take note of when and what odour presents like, connect to a practitioner to discuss patterns, potential drivers and for recommended investigations e.g. microbiome testing, swabs and cultures, pH testing, hormonal investigations (and sometimes much more).

You dont have to live in fear of catching a "whiff" and wondering what is happening. There is so much that can be done.
Connect to an Ontimate Ecology practitioner today for customised support.

Practitioners wanting to learn more about microbiome imbalances Vagiversity is open for enrolment for 2026 intake now.

bacterialvaginosis

03/01/2026

Sometimes in our clinic people comment that they notice urinary odour days before a UTI becomes more symptomatic. Odour change is definately something to be mindful of.
Common UTI causing bacteria produce specific metabolites associated with odour (just like bacteria do in Bacterial V&ginosis). A change in odour can signify a urinary microbiome shift associated with infection. For example E.coli is a known producer of putrescine, a biogenic amine...which as its name suggests is characterised by a putrid, rotten off odour.

Of course there are a range of other health reasons you may have a change to urinary odour (structural, metabolic, age related, diet, medication, hydration) but if you're prone to UTI taking note of a urinary odour change and being proactive before things get worse can be the difference between a full blown UTI or a minor shift in bacterial balance that resolves.

Reasons your urine may smell...

• Concentration of urine: dehydration = ammonia
• Food, medications & supplements: Asparagus, B vitamins, garlic, onions, coffee, ketogenic diets/ketones, antibiotics
• Bacteria change chemistry: infection = foul or fishy
• Metabolic change: ketones, liver, genetics
• Sometimes it’s not urine at all: vaginal microbiome, atrophy, infection, structural

Common urine odours

• Ammonia: dehydration, urine retention, kidney stress, Proteus, Ureaplasma
• Foul / septic: UTI, E. coli and Enterococcus. Also consider structural fistulas
• Fishy/Ammonia: Proteus UTI, trimethylaminuria, or BV masquerading as urinary
• Sweet/fruity: ketones,diabetes, fasting, keto
• Sweet/grape: like Klebsiella/Psuedomonas
• Sulfur/rotten eggs: asparagus, garlic… or liver health issues
• Musty/mousy: metabolic disorders (rare e.g. PKU)
• Sweet “maple syrup”: genetic metabolic condition (infants)

Need support?
Book with an Intimate Ecology naturopathic for genitourinary microbiome support. Link in Bio.

Practitioner wanting to learn more? Vagiversity is open for enrolment. Six months of education and mentoring. Link in Bio.

30/12/2025

At Intimate Ecology we work with the v&ginal microbiome a lot. Usually in response to recurrent symptoms associated with bacterial and fungal shifts in the v&ginal ecosystem.

But the v&ginal microbiome isn’t just about “treating infections.”

It’s an ecosystem, dynamic, responsive, and deeply interconnected with the rest of the body.
As an environment shaped by hormones, immunity, stress, sexuality, medications, skin health, and the nervous system, its balance, health and resilience matter far beyond symptom control.

Why does the v&ginal microbiome matter?

• Local immunity: frontline defence against pathogens and inflammatory cascades

*STI susceptibility & clearance: microbiome composition influences risk, persistence, and recovery

• Hormonal signalling : estrogen metabolism, tissue integrity, and cyclical resilience

• Cellular health: epithelial turnover, barrier function, and tissue repair

• Dermatological health: vulval skin conditions, sensitivity, reactivity, and chronic irritation
• Pain & sensation: nerve signalling, inflammation, and pelvic comfort

• The gut–vagina–brain axis: stress, mood, perception of symptoms, and nervous system tone

• Quality of life: comfort in your body, intimacy, confidence, and daily ease

• Fertility & pregnancy ecology: implantation environments and early immune signalling

• Medication response: why antibiotics, antifungals, and hormones don’t land the same for everyone

We look at ecology, how resilient, adaptive, and supported the system is and consider that in relation to your overall health and lifestyle patterns.
Want to know more?

Appointments for 2026 are now available: link in Bio

Vagiversity is open for enrolment. Education for health practitioners ready to deepen their understanding of the v&ginal microbiome.

Because this ecosystem deserves more than quick fixes.

27/12/2025

NEW CLIENT BOOKINGS OPEN Monday 29th DECEMBER 2025, 9am AEST/Brisbane time.

The Intimate Ecology diary will open again this month for new clients wishing to see Dr. Moira Bradfield Strydom (PhD) in early 2026. These appointment slots are available for appointments between February 2026 and April 2026. At this stage new client appointments are capped at 3 a week and no wait list is maintained

Return and follow up clients can book at any time however during this diary opening some return appointments may not show, connect to the clinic for support if needed.

Bookings can only be made via the website booking portal. See bio links or visit www.intimateecology.com.au

WHAT IF YOU MISS OUT IN THIS APPOINTMENT RELEASE?

Experienced Intimate Ecology Practitioners Danni and Jessie-Anne are available for appointments. Details in the bio tree. Bookings to see Dr Moira are limited and generally open and close quarterly.

27/12/2025

If you have been dealing with recurrent v@ginal or urinary symptoms, microbiome based fertility obstacles, recurrent infections, itching, irritation, burning or pain then 2026 should be the year you explore the 'why' further.

At Intimate Ecology our experienced naturopathic practitioners work with comprehensive microbiome testing (v&ginal, urinary, gut, seminal as indicated), your story and influencing factors to craft individualised treatment plans that consider you and your circumstances whilst gently nudging your microbiomes back to alignment.

We don't offer quick fixes because healing that holds isn't fast. This isn't antibiotics that reduce symptoms only to have them emerge a month later. This is customised support, understanding where there was none, integrative care (sometimes antibiotics plus restoration) and educating you about you, your body, hormones, nervous system, patterns and multi system health (and partner health) so that you can break cycles of recurrence.

If you are sick of the "not this again" roundabout book an appointment for 2026 today.

Practitioners Jessie-Anne, Danni and Moira each have different areas they love working with (outlined on our website and featured in our grid).

Dr Moira's books open Dec 29th (9am Brisbane time) for limited Feb- April new client intake. Danni and Jessie-Anne are available straight away for consultation.

Online, international care (exc. USA and Canada).
Link in BIO

cytolyticvaginosis UTI Thrush rvvc lactobacillus lactobacilluscrispatus microbiome microbiomehealth

18/12/2025

Being able to describe your discharge characteristics is more helpful than you know.

Not only does it help to understand the basics like colour, consistency, odour, amount and associated symptoms being able to describe when it comes out, how it comes out (on the toilet, only via a finger, standing), when in a cycle it may change and how it changes can provide information that helps to understand likely causes, best interventions and even specific microbes.

When you have talked to enough people and seen enough complete microbiome tests you get pretty good at understanding the finer nuances of discharge characteristics: like when Lactobacillus iners is driving the inflammation, Prevotella is lurking in the background, Candida and Strep B are hanging out together, if E.coli makes an appearance and when cytolytic vaginosis moves to the top of the possibility pile.
Whilst I'm constantly intrigued by how many new, rare dominant and interesting microbes are reported on v&ginal microbiome reports (and sometimes these are the culprit) these patterns are repeated again and again. Allowing us to get started on the most likely scenario if we are waiting on results.

Need support? Appointments available with Intimate Ecology practitioners in 2026. Jessie-Anne and Danni are available to book now. Dr Moira's books open Dec 29th for new client Feb to April bookings.

Holisitic practitioner confused about what you dont know and how to work with genitourinary health? Vagiversity is open for enrolment now. Early bird closes Jan 9th. Course start Feb 10th, 2026.

16/12/2025

Calling all practitioners interested in the v&ginal microbiome and looking to drop deep into to the theory and practicalities of modifying and restoring v&ginal microbiomes, breaking cycles of recurrence and working with genitourinary health in an integrative and holistic way.

Vagiversity, a 6 month practitioner training in all things genitourinary microbiome health is open for enrolment.
Hosted by Dr Moira Bradfield Strydom, PhD, M.Acu, B.Nat experienced naturopath and v&ginal microbiome researcher you will meet 2 x a month over 6 months for intensive lectures and case based mentoring.
The mentorship is intended to provide you with the skills and confidence to work with whole v&ginal and urinary microbiome testing, a range of genitourinary presentations and clinical scenarios.

Early Bird is open now and closes January 9th.
Course starts Feb 10th 2026.
More info in Bio Link or DM.

16/12/2025

Often when I'm talking to practitioners about assessing v&ginal symptoms for both differentiation (what is going on, likely microbes and labels) and suitability to apply intrav&ginal treatments I talk about inflammatory symptoms. Just this week, I had someone ask me...but what do you mean by inflammatory symptoms? What am I actually looking for?

With any intimate microbiome shift into imbalance we have inflammation at a cellular and immune level but how this presents as symptoms differ depending on the type of bacteria or fungi dominating and client specific factors. For example, whilst there are immune and cell inflammatory aspects to Bacterial V&ginosis it is not seen as a high inflammation state for most people (there are exceptions to this which are very specific BV bacteria).

Inflammation symptoms can present as burning, itching, swelling, discomfort, pain, broken skin, thicker discharge (white or coloured) and are usually associated with aerobic bacteria (AV) and fungal presentations like thrush.

The more severe the symptoms the more reactive someone may be if you were to suggest they apply something directly v&ginally, but a well considered topical may provide quick relief (microbe and person specific).

The symptoms and which microbes are present when testing the microbiome also provide relevance for how you interpret the results and their significance.

You have to know what the symptoms are to make the right decisions: how you might treat, what you are treating and what to be on the look out for as things change. Lots to consider and find the details of.

If your struggling with v&ginal health book an appointment for 2026 with an Intimate Ecology practitioner. Diary link in Bio

If your a practitioner and wanting to learn more about how to support v&ginal health V&giversity a holisitic education and mentoring with Dr Moira (PhD) is open for enrolment now for Feb 2026 start. Link in Bio.

11/12/2025

In clinic in January when i check back in with clients i often hear how they experienced a painful or miserable period right after Christmas?

Short answer...our biology doesn’t do holidays. It responds to whatever we throw at it, rich food, alcohol, stress, late nights. Your cycle is often the first to protest.

Have a read and let us know if you've experienced a bad cycle after Christmas.

Need support?
Book an appointment with an practitioner today.
Link in Bio

10/12/2025

We get asked this question alot and it is not as simple as using v&ginal ptobiotics, although these are usually part of the plan.

For many people helping a microbiome back to lactobacillus dominance is part of the recovery and restoration of the v&ginal microbiome. This can be post antibiotics or as part of a bigger plan where elevations in specific microbes are targeted.

This approach includes both oral and local application of vaginal probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics (which can shift the environment allowing your own microbes to recover).
To have long term sucess you have to consider other factors that could be preventing the restoration of balance, this includes:

*V&ginal tissue health and integrity
*Hormonal balance and regulation
*Modification of behaviours and habits (fabrics, barrier methods, smoking)
*Support of nutritional factors (diet and specific tested nutrients)
*Support of other microbiomes
*Consideration of partner microbiomes and interactions (as relevant)
*Targeting of specific microbes to reduce their carriage if elevated
*Support of the immune system.
*Support of the nervous system
*Support of the gastrointestinal microbiome and health (as it relates to the above)

A lot to do and tweak. Because the vaginal microbiome doesn't operate independently from the rest of the body. Its integrated and symptoms often tell us about a bigger picture.

Need support? Book with an Intimate Ecology practitioner today.
Practitioner looking to learn more? Vagiversity 2026 now open for enrolment. Link in Bio

08/12/2025

Twice a year I work with a select group of holisitic practitioners to upskill in the genitourinary microbiomes (v&ginal and urinary). We meet twice a month to explore the holsitic approaches to working and restoring health in these microbiomes and their associated disorders.

We dig into the theory and evidence in the first session of the month and the second session provides an opportunity for practitioners to work on their own cases and ask specific questions in the live case based mentoring. Sessions are recorded and available on replay. But as always attending LIVE and staying up to date with the content provides the biggest learning opportunity.

I am pleased to open enrolment for the February 2026 intake. Early Bird pricing is open until January 9th but places are limited.

If you are testing these microbiomes and feeling overwhelmed about where to start, this course is for you. We cover the role of these microbiomes in fertility, hormonal disorders, recurrwnt forms of BV, AV, CV, thrush, lactobacilliosis, UTI, HPV, Lichens, HSV, childhood, menopause, lactation and more! Bonus special guest recordings and content.

You can read more about Vagiversity and enrol via the link in Bio.

I'd ❤️ to see you in the classroom
X Dr Moira

PhD, Naturopath, Researcher, Clinican

Intimate Ecology - Moira Bradfield

06/01/2026

04/01/2026

03/01/2026

30/12/2025

27/12/2025

27/12/2025

18/12/2025

16/12/2025

16/12/2025

11/12/2025

10/12/2025

08/12/2025

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