Expert Moira Bradfield on Understanding the Microbiomes Role in Vaginal Health and Fertility

Welcome to The Shift expert series with naturopath, nutritionist and author Katherine Maslen as she explores the state of human health, the dysfunction of the health industry and provides people with the tools, knowledge and understanding to make the shift in their lives.  In the episode of The Shift, host Katherine Maslen is flying solo to share her expertise on what it takes to heal. If you want to make the shift towards more informed decisions regarding better health, then this podcast is for you. In this episode Katherine explores: Her life's work and the story of how she became a healer The areas in which modern medicine has failed Understanding the landscape of your entire health Building an optimal environment for healing How people get in their own way of healing Shifting emotional health and trauma Value systems around health and lifestyle Creating a sense of safety to heal   Links: Website Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn The Shift Season 1  

Chantelle Otten is a Melbourne based Psycho-Sexologist who is passionate about empowering people to feel great about their sexual health, self-esteem, communication and education. A Melbourne local, Chantelle comes from a Dutch background. Having spent time living, studying and working in Holland, Chantelle has grown up with the European mindset that talking about sex, pleasure and relationships does not have to be shameful or taboo. A natural born communicator, she enjoys creating a setting where her clients can feel relaxed and free to talk about their sexual health in a safe, judgment-free environment. With numerous awards, accolades and published medical journal articles, Chantelle is not only an internationally acclaimed psycho-sexologist, but also a caring and empowering sex educator. With a background in scientific research, sexual medicine, and counselling, she believes that sexuality and self-esteem are an integral part of life, which everyone is entitled to. Good sexual health should always be enjoyable, pain free and without prejudice.” In this episode Katherine and Chantelle Otten explore: How Chantelle became a Psycho-Sexologist The dysfunction with people around sexuality How to start a vulnerable conversation with a reluctant partner The consequences of shutting down sexuality Why some women hate their bodies Painful intercourse and why it is not just a physiological issue Exploring the different types of orgasm Links: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn The Shift Season 1  

Dr Nicola Gates is a Clinical Neuropsychologist, researcher, author and registered health professional promoting adult health and wellbeing for over twenty-five years. She wrote the two best-sellers, A Brain for Life, and The Feel Good Guide to Menopause, published by Harper Collins Her research is world renown as she has over 24 peer reviewed publications in international medical journals. Nicola translates complicated neuroscience and medical research with positive psychology, and speaks to hundreds every year about the importance of life-style and mind-style for optimal health and quality of life In this episode Katherine and Dr Nicola Gates explore: The importance of mental health for later on in life Why people don’t look after their health Choosing what to take in from the universe Nicola’s personal health story, having a double mastectomy and being pulled into medical menopause Transitioning through menopause and on to later life The importance of building relationships and support networks   Links: Website Facebook LinkedIn The Shift Season 1  

Kate is a qualified practitioner of Naturopathy and Nutritional Medicine, an Intuitive Metaphysical Healer, best-selling author, keynote speaker, facilitator, yoga teacher, devoted mother and host of the ever-popular, Lean In podcast. Renowned for her holistic approach to healing, Kate cross-pollinates multiple healing practises, using naturopathy and nutrition to work on a core cellular level while incorporating her metaphysical channelling to address the emotional and spiritual. Kate is the co-founder and managing director of Natural Instinct Healing, the internationally acclaimed and award-winning private Detox, Health and Wellness retreat centre in Bali. It’s a sacred healing space that focuses on the holistic model of health and personal development and provides clients with serene environments and practical tools so they can experience positive transformational change in their lives. At the centre, you can find Kate leading workshops, connecting with guests, conducting individual healing sessions or naturopathy/nutrition sessions, teaching yoga, leading meditations and having fun with her highly talented team. In this episode Katherine and Kate Reardon explore: Understanding the more esoteric parts of ourselves and exploring the various healing modalities The unique issues that women face and how society can make women feel as though they are not good enough The 3 different stages of a woman's life - Maiden, Mother and Crone The role of the womb in women's health and vitality How the physical body can react to trauma   Links: Website Natural Instinct Healing Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn The Shift Season 1  

Dr. Amy Shah, M.D., is double board-certified medical doctor and wellness expert specializing in allergy and immunology, hormones and gut health. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University’s School of Nutrition and went on to complete her MD, residency and fellowship training at Einstein, Harvard, and Columbia University hospitals. She’s been named in the Top Doc list 2016, ’17,’18, ’19 and ’20 by Phoenix Magazine and featured on National TV and magazines such as Elle, People, Shape and Allure. She lives in Phoenix, AZ, loves being active and is married with two children. I’m So Effing Tired is her first book published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Dr. Amy Shah graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University’s School of Nutrition and went on to complete her MD, residency and fellowship training at Einstein, Harvard, and Columbia University hospitals. In this episode Katherine and Dr Amy Shah explore: Why women are more tired, more anxious and more stressed The hormonal highway within our bodies How the mind and body interconnect Ways to balance mental, emotional and physical health The benefits of intermittent fasting for women and what the latest research is showing Intermittent fasting and the menstrual cycle   Links: Website Instagram Twitter LinkedIn The Shift Season 1  

Dr Andrea is a women’s health, natural fertility expert and integrative chiropractor, with a passion for helping women reach their health, hormonal and fertility goals, no matter the challenges they may be facing. She is the owner of The Wellness Studio in Fremantle, co-hosts the award winning, top-rated podcast Wellness Women Radio and is often affectionately referred to as ‘The Period Whisperer’ by her patients! In this episode Katherine and Dr Andrea Huddleston explore: How being diagnosed with Lupus as a teenager helped guide Andrea towards alternative health with a focus on diet and lifestyle The current state of women's health and why women should not accept suffering as being normal What could be driving the increase in conditions such as Endometriosis, PCOS, Infertility and irregular cycles Postnatal depletion and how a woman's body changes after having a child Rebuilding a sense of community around women and celebrating women's rituals The balance between estrogen and progesterone How men and women respond to pain differently   Links: Website Instagram Facebook The Shift Season 1  

Dr Aly Cohen is the co-author of the new, bestselling, consumer guidebook, Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World, Non-Toxic is published by Oxford University Press, and is part of the Dr. Weil Healthy Living Guides, Dr. Aly Cohen is a board certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine specialist, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. She has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Schmancer, and other disease- prevention organizations, and is coeditor of the textbook, Integrative Environmental Medicine, part of the Oxford University Press/Weil Integrative Medicine, Academic Series. In 2015, she created TheSmartHuman.com to share environmental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public. She lectures nationally on environmental health topics for elementary/ high schools, colleges/ universities, medical schools, and physician- training programs, and she is a regular expert guest for television, print, and podcasts. She has been the recipient of countless awards, including Top Docs NJ in rheumatology from 2016-2021, the NJ Healthcare Heroes Award in Education for The Smart Human educational platform in 2015, and the 2016 Burton L. Eichler Award for humanitarianism. In this episode Katherine and Dr Aly Cohen explore: Building awareness around environmental medicine Endocrine disrupting chemicals and the role they play in the increase of infertility Chemicals that have estrogenic type qualities Discussing the risks of exposure to flame retardant chemicals and fragrances How people can get started with reducing exposure to toxins The contaminants that can be found in drinking water The effect of pollution and particulate matter on our health Links: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn The Shift Season 1  

Dr Peta Wright has a relaxed and compassionate attitude that will put you at ease knowing you’re in capable, caring hands. She is a gynaecologist, paediatric & adolescent gynaecologist, and fertility specialist. Dr Wright is deeply committed to all aspects of women’s health care and founded Vera Women’s Wellness in 2020. She strives to take a holistic approach to managing the health concerns of women of all ages. Peta has a particular interest and expertise in the areas of paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, having completed a fellowship in adolescent gynaecology in 2013. Peta is also passionate about helping women with pelvic pain and endometriosis, as well as polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothalamic amenorrhoea, vulva concerns, painful sex, abnormal pap smears and menopause medicine. In addition, she works with women experiencing pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Dr Wright completed her undergraduate medical degree at Monash University in Melbourne in 2004. She has completed a Masters of Reproductive Medicine and also a certificate in Women’s Integrative Medicine. It is Peta’s dream to help women remember the beauty and power in their bodies and to give them back the tools and knowledge to live happy, healthy and empowered lives. In this episode Katherine and Dr Peta Wright explore: Taking an alternative approach to gynaecology Positive changes taking place in the medical system Increases in women with chronic pelvic pain issues The first steps to take for women that are suffering from pelvic pain The hormonal IUD Kyleena and some of the side effects that can present from taking it The risks of putting young girls on contraception Dr Wright's observations around infertility including the impact of over exercising and calorie restriction   Links: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn The Shift Season 1  

Moira Bradfield, founder of Intimate Ecology clinical and education services, is a Naturopath, Acupuncturist and educator with over 20 years clinical experience. She has a passion for helping people experience optimal health in sustainable and sensible ways. Clinically she has a niche interest in recurrent vaginal infections, optimal vaginal and genitourinary health, hormones and the genitourinary microbiomes (the bacteria and microbes that reside in the vagina and bladder). Moira holds a Bachelor of Naturopathy Southern Cross University, a Masters degree in Acupuncture from Southern Cross University and is a PhD Candidate at Griffith University, Australia: in the area of the vaginal microbiome and recurrent vaginal infections. In addition to her role as a Naturopath Moira has lectured extensively about holistic genitourinary health, educating her fellow practitioners to offer support in an often overlooked area. You can find out more about Moira and her services at www.intimateecology.com.au   In this episode Katherine and Moira Bradfield explore: The stigma around discussing genital and urinary issues The vaginal microbiome and the role it plays in the body Development of a young woman's microbiome The microbiomes impact on fertility and modification of the vaginal microbiome How microbes are shared and the possible mismatch of microbes between partners Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI’s), thrush and bacterial vaginosis Recommendations for sanitary products that will benefit vaginal health   Links: Website Instagram Facebook Youtube The Shift Season 1  

Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary’s combined expertise in both modern neurology and the ancient science of health known as Ayurveda has uniquely positioned her as an expert able to pull from the broadest possible base to treat her clients. She is passionate about raising awareness for the need of a paradigm shift in contemporary medicine that focuses on patient empowerment and a health-based (rather than disease-based) medical system. Dr. Chaudhary is a regular guest on the Dr. Oz show, where her teachings about Ayurvedic medicine have been applauded by a national audience. Dr. Chaudhary is the author of The Prime and Sound Medicine and has appeared as a medical expert on numerous programs including The Dr. Oz Show and Home & Family. She is also a neuroscientist and has participated in over twenty clinical research studies in the areas of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Her research includes groundbreaking work in stem cell therapies for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and drug development for the treatment of ALS. Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary spends her time doing research in Siddha Medicine in Tamil Nadu, India and seeing patients for Integrative Medicine consultations from San Diego, CA. To schedule your virtual consultation with Dr. Chaudhary, please visit her website, www.drkulreetchaudhary.com. In this episode Katherine and Dr Kulreet Chaudhary explore: Reflections on the traditional medical model Sound as medicine and how sound can heal us on a cellular level The medical concepts of the 8000 year old Siddha texts and what they can teach modern medicine How Kulreet envisions the future of medicine Dr Chaudhary’s work in the retreat space and taking people through mantra meditations How to get started with mantra meditations   Links: Website Facebook Twitter Youtube The Shift Season 1