Jade Walker

I initially posted this to my stories and getting an influx of shared sentiments. Feel free to vent your frustrations out in the comments 😂 #indexingisarort #feehelp #hecsdebt #unifees #mygov

🎁 We’re feeling festive 🎄 So here’s a special little Christmas offer for our 6 week intensive starting Feb 2025: Microbiome to Menstruation. 😍 If there’s one course you need to do to take your practice to the next level it’s this! 😱🎟️🎟️ Even more exciting is that we have an epic competition running until the 20th of THIS MONTH (time is ticking ⏰), to go into the draw to win one of two tickets to the @activatedprobiotics 2025 symposium. So get in quick and secure your spot before this flash sale ends ⚡️ Link in bio to sign up!

😍 WIN 1 of 2 tickets VIP tickets worth $795 EACH to the 2025 @activatedprobiotics when you sign up to Microbiome to Menstruation by 20/12/24. We’re so incredibly pumped for this because we’ll be speaking at amazing event in Melbourne, and there are an incredible line up of acclaimed speakers. Just head to the link in our bio to secure a spot in our Microbiome to Menstruation course and we’ll announce the winners after entries close. (And yes if you’ve already booked a ticket you’re also in the draw too 😍). Yes, we are the gift that keeps on giving 🎁 #activatedprobiotics #activatedprobioticssymposium #naturopaths #nutritionists #microbiome

Little highlight carousel from today’s @heysister.official shoot. Sooo grateful for not only this incredible team to work for, but also the fact I got to bring Ren with me (@thewomens_naturopath) to bring her expertise on all things peri menopause and menopause. 💁🏼‍♀️Brows on point by the always incredible Sara from @modelcitizenbeauty ☀️Tan GLOWING from the epic 24/7 self tanning salon in Geelong @goldendays247tan 🧥Geelong-designed outfit from @ownkind_au 💄Makeup by Courtney from @txccollective 🎬 Director and producer @sarahaliceberry 🧡🍑🍊🥕🔸🟠✴️

Today we were on set for a day of filming for @heysister.official in Perth, and I was excited to show Ren (Karen from @thewomens_naturopath) how quickly the tablet opens up. When the co-founders of Hey Sister where first creating this tablet (which is TGA approved), they wanted to develop a technology that would ground the usually very-hard bark up into a micron-fine powder that would absorb effectively and quickly in the stomach so that it would be comparable to other NSAIDs. The next challenge was to coat it in a thin enough coating that would make it so that it doesn’t open up in your mouth, but still opens up quickly in the stomach. The technology and innovation that’s gone into making this next generation product shouldn’t be understated. This is one of the many reasons I’m so incredibly passionate about it. Our double blind placebo control trial is also about to come to completion on women with chronic pelvic pain which I’m so excited about! We’ve also had two clinical observational trials underway on both menopause, and in men. Ren and I also pitched an idea today to run a trial testing testing the effects of Hey Sister on our gut microbes by testing gut microbiomes before and after as Hey Sister is very high in polyphenols (which are beneficial for our gut bacteria) and the idea was very well received! So watch this space! #heysister #periods #periodpain #guthealth #perimenopause #menopause #polyphenols

In light of the visanne discussion this week, I reflected on how much my understanding and views have changes on the studies I used to cite on endometriosis especially surrounding the natural health space. Equally so, sometimes an intervention will be studied using one of these poor study designs but nevertheless the intervention still proves useful. NAC is a great example. There are two key studies on NAC in endometriosis (2013 and 2023) that showed a reduction in all pain scores as well as a reduction in endometrioma size and the CA125 marker. On paper this looks amazing. But when we consider again that endometriomas are only one type of endometriosis, that this size-shrinking may not be permanent, and that CA125 can be effected by a myriad of factors, it’s still not a study design we should bare all our weight on. With that said, NAC still remains to be one of the mainstay interventions that reduces a variety of pain scores for many, and with minimal side effects. On another note, we also have to caution taking NAC long-term as it’s a strong mucolytic; great for excess mucous production in the short-term when you’re sick, but not so great for your protective intestinal mucous lining. So just ensure you’re having breaks from it. Equally so, other natural constituents I mentioned in the video such as reseveratrol, Curcumin and saffron have also leant on similar rat models for their outcomes. But make no mistake, these plant compounds are still potent anti-inflammatories that have benefits. Virtually any plant with a high ABTS score (antioxidant score), high in plant polyphenols etc are going to give rise to a anti-inflammatory environment, which we want. Polyphenols also modulate our beneficial gut microbiome species which give rise to disease-fighting outcomes. So these are still at the top of my list. The issue is just that we need to get the communication right, and hopefully, we see better study designs to demonstrate what’s really going on. This is why I’m forever for the integrated approach which combines the very best excision surgeons with naturopathic support and a pelvic physio or osteo. #endometriosis

Until we move away from endometriosis being viewed as a hormonal condition (which it isn’t) and being caused by retrograde menstruation (which it also isn’t) we’ll keep winding up these same situations. One thing for sure if this the endo community is f*%#ing strong and will let it be known when something isn’t right. We all want nothing more than to see better options available for endometriosis sufferers. But for the love of god, people need to get on the same page because the inconsistencies and flawed research designs are mind-boggling. #endometriosis

I thought it pertinent to highlight the difference between endometriomas and just using the collective term “endometriosis”. *Correction: the post should say endometriomas mainly only grow on the ovaries or nearby structures*. This is fundamental when talking about: 1. Endo medications 2. The research behind those medications 3. Using that information to inform your decision For example, dienogest (Visanne) bases it’s efficacy as an endometriosis medication off of outcomes seen on endometriomas only (and mostly only monitored via ultrasound (gold standard should be laparoscopy)). The flaws here being that 1: Endometriomas behave differently to other types of endometriosis found elsewhere in the body. 2. Thus we don’t know how or if these medications are even having an impact on other types of endo. I can’t stress this enough that it’s not say that these medications don’t have their place for some. Visanne is possibly the better option of most hormonal medications marketed towards endo when considering side effects or long term implications. But more often than not, the information gets misconstrued and often leads to taking a medication not suitable for the individual. In a nutshell, endometriomas are in a whole class of their own so I think we’ll soon find research veering away from blanket advice for all endometriosis types, that was only once derived from outcomes on endometriomas alone. Do what’s right for you. But make sure it’s a well informed choice. #endometriomas #endometriosis

No matter whether it’s a hormonal medication or an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine or supplement, they are all mostly symptomatic relief at best. I say this in light of the endometriosis medication Visanne (dienogest) making headlines this week because it’s now covered under the PBS (halving the cost). Make no mistake, it’s great when endo care is made more affordable or accessible, and truthfully, all I want for people is to be able to live pain-free lives no matter what works for them. However, what I don’t like, is misleading headlines and marketing around these medications such as that it can shrink endometriosis lesions. There are many flaws in this study designs such as that: 1. Only endometriomas were studied, and; 2. Most patients were only diagnosed via ultrasound or MRI and follow-up measurements were also via ultrasound. Endometriomas are only one type of endometriosis and not all people with endo have endometriomas. There have been no follow-up studies to remeasure endometriomas if one ceases the medication to see if the lesion size regresses. Additionally, we know that symptoms return for people when they cease the medication. This drug is not too dissimilar to other progestin-only oral contraceptives. An earlier study on the medication from 2009 also found that 27% of those who remained on Visanne for more than 15 months developed osteopenia. So while you may get symptomatic relief, it’s also in exchange for a variety of side effects that often come with the OCP (depression being common) as well as a chance of bone mineral density loss if you stay on it long term. And if you come off it earlier, you’re right back to square one again anyway. My fear is that this is another band-aid solution that will inevitably delay well-needed surgery. And even if it is able to “shrink” endometrioma size in *some* people, it’s still not curing the disease, and it doesn’t account for a majority of other types of endometriosis. A similar scenario occurred when GNRH-agonist medications first hit the scene for endometriosis(such as Lupron and Zoladex). It was marketed as being able to reduce lesion size as shown by (continued in comments)

**My top 3 natural solutions for period pain** Having tried everything under the sun when I used to suffer from 10/10 endometriosis period pain (before surgery and having my twins), plus trialling everything with clients over the years, this is my go-to trifecta. ### 1. **PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide)** PEA is a natural compound that helps reduce inflammation and nerve pain. It’s been studied for its effectiveness in managing chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis symptoms. A 2019 study found that PEA significantly improved pain levels in those with endometriosis when used consistently. ### 2. **Hey Sister Period** @heysister.official This plant-based formula contains Khapregesic™, derived from the bark of *Khaya senegalensis*. It’s designed to target pain associated with menstruation and pelvic inflammation. It’s gentle on the gut but strong enough to help with period pain, ovulation pain and anywhere you’d usually use NSAIDs. Start at least 3 days before your period starts for best results (to get in front of the prostaglandins). ### 3. **TENS Machines** My favorite TENS machine is from @tap.health (I’ve tried 5 different TENS over the years), and it’s a game-changer for period pain relief! TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) works by sending electrical pulses that reduce pain perception. It’s quick, effective, and non-invasive. Use this at the time of pain. 💛 ✨ Have you tried any of these? Let me know in the comments! Disclosure: I’m the Director of Health and Wellness for @heysister.official which was a position that organically came from having used Khapregesic for years prior and believing in it so much. #periodpain #endometriosis #heysister #TENSMachine

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Ryeqo hit Australia this year being hailed as a “breakthrough” through medication for endometriosis (even though it’s actually nothing new as the US trialled a similar combination pill called Myfembree). Given it contains a GNRH-antagonist, as opposed to GNRH-agonists like Zoladex, which should come with slightly less side effects and long-term implications, it’s theoretically somewhat of a better option than it’s previous counterparts. (Ryeqo contains the active ingredients relugolix, estradiol, and norethisterone acetate). From what I’ve been hearing the feedback is better than Zoladex. But I thought I’d put it to the public to see what the general consensus has been. I’m not here to shame the medication, but merely educate. If you’d like to learn more on this topic I have an incredible interview on The Jade Walker Way podcast with Katie Boyce from @endogirlsblog who unpacks this medication in full. Highly worth listening to. #endometrioisis #ryeqo