Women's Health Herbal Medicine

Why women's health is the heart of this clinic

Areas of women's health I most commonly see in clinic

• Painful, heavy or irregular periods — Dysmenorrhoea, flooding, clotting, cycles that arrive too often or unpredictably. Heavy bleeding is always assessed alongside iron status and GP investigation, since anaemia and structural causes such as fibroids need identifying rather than managing.
• PMS and premenstrual mood change — The irritability, tearfulness, breast tenderness, bloating, migraine, and sleep disruption of the luteal phase — including the more severe premenstrual dysphoric picture, where cycle timing of the prescription matters a great deal.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — Irregular or absent ovulation, acne, unwanted hair growth, hair thinning, weight that will not shift. Approached primarily through insulin sensitivity, androgen balance, and stress physiology rather than symptom by symptom.
• Endometriosis and adenomyosis — Pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, bowel and bladder involvement, and the fatigue that comes with chronic inflammatory pain. Supportive work alongside gynaecological care, never a substitute for diagnosis or surgical review.
• Perimenopause and menopause — Vasomotor symptoms, sleep fragmentation, anxiety and low mood, joint pain, brain fog, vaginal dryness, and cycle chaos in the years before the last period. Compatible with HRT for those taking it, and an option for those who cannot or choose not to.
• Fertility and preconception care — Cycle regulation, ovulation tracking, luteal phase support, and preparation before assisted conception. Planned over at least three months, and always coordinated with any fertility treatment you are having.
• Recurrent cystitis, thrush and vaginal health — Repeated urinary and vaginal infections, post-antibiotic cycles, and the microbiome and mucous membrane work that reduces recurrence rather than only treating each episode.
• Thyroid, iron and fatigue — Hypothyroid and autoimmune thyroid pictures, low ferritin, and the exhaustion that so often sits behind 'my bloods were normal'. Investigated properly first, then supported.
• Postnatal recovery and depletion — Ongoing fatigue, low mood, hair loss, and cycle disruption after birth and breastfeeding, with careful attention to what is safe while feeding.
• Stress, burnout and low mood — Frequently the thread running through all of the above, and often the thing that has to be addressed before the hormonal picture will move at all.

Herbs traditionally used in women's health

• Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) — The central herb of cyclical women's health, traditionally used where premenstrual symptoms, luteal phase problems, and irregular cycles predominate. Interacts with hormonal contraception and needs practitioner guidance.
• Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) — A traditional uterine antispasmodic used for period pain and cramping, frequently paired with black haw.
• Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) — Among the better-studied botanicals for vasomotor menopausal symptoms. Requires care in liver disease and is not appropriate for everyone.
• Sage (Salvia officinalis) — Traditionally used for hot flushes and night sweats, particularly where sweating is the dominant complaint. Avoided while breastfeeding.
• Lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) — A traditional astringent used where menstrual flow is heavy, alongside proper investigation of the cause.
• Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) — Long-standing traditional use in heavy menstrual bleeding, typically short-term and around the bleed itself.
• Peony and liquorice (Paeonia lactiflora & Glycyrrhiza glabra) — A classical pairing with traditional use in androgen-related presentations such as PCOS. Liquorice raises blood pressure and is contraindicated in hypertension.
• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) — Traditionally used where insulin resistance and heavy or irregular cycles occur together, as they often do in PCOS.
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) — Used for its traditional anti-inflammatory action in inflammatory pelvic pain conditions such as endometriosis, with attention to anticoagulant interactions.
• Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) — A traditional uterine tonic with a specific and limited place in pregnancy — timing matters, and it should only be used with guidance.
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) — An adaptogen traditionally indicated where chronic stress, poor sleep, and depletion sit underneath the hormonal picture. Care is needed in autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Uva-ursi and corn silk (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi & Zea mays) — Traditional urinary antiseptic and demulcent herbs used in recurrent cystitis; uva-ursi is strictly short-term use only.

What a women's health consultation actually involves

Safety, interactions, and working alongside your GP