https://www.facebook.com/102671702189800/

Body Confidence Clinic, Newport Pagnell (2026)

19/06/2026

Is something blocking your iron absorption? 💊

Medications and supplements can make a bigger difference than you think.

THINGS THAT REDUCE IRON ABSORPTION

💊 Antacids & PPIs
Reduce stomach acid needed to convert iron into its absorbable form.

🥛 Calcium supplements
Compete directly with iron for the same intestinal transporters.

💊 Levothyroxine (thyroid medication)
Iron can bind to it in the gut, reducing absorption of both.

🌿 Zinc & magnesium supplements
High doses of these minerals can interfere with iron uptake.

☕ Tea & coffee
Tannins can significantly reduce iron absorption when consumed around meals or when taking supplements.

🌾 Fibre supplements
May bind to iron and reduce absorption.

⸻

THINGS THAT BOOST IRON ABSORPTION

🍊 Vitamin C
Converts non-haem iron to a more absorbable form — take them together.

⏰ Timing your supplements right
Leave at least 2 hours between iron and calcium, magnesium, zinc, antacids, or thyroid medication.

🥩 Include iron-rich foods
Red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, beans, tofu, spinach and fortified cereals can help maintain healthy iron stores.

⸻

⚠️ Always speak to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist before changing how you take your medications or supplements.

🩸 If you’re taking iron but your ferritin isn’t improving, it may not be what you’re taking — it could be when you’re taking it.

12/06/2026

“Food isn’t just fuel – it’s information for your hormones, brain, bones and overall health. Supporting your body through your menstrual cycle and into menopause starts with the basics: protein, fibre, healthy fats and plenty of colourful plants.💜🌿

🌿 EATING FOR HORMONE HEALTH 🌿

Hormones don’t need “fixing” with restrictive diets or expensive supplements. They need a consistent supply of nutrients to help your body produce, regulate and metabolise hormones effectively.

🩸 MENSTRUATION (Days 1-5)
Focus on replacing nutrients lost through bleeding:
• Iron-rich foods: lean red meat, lentils, beans, spinach, tofu
• Vitamin C: citrus fruits, berries and peppers to help iron absorption
• Stay hydrated

🌱 FOLLICULAR PHASE (Days 6-14)
As energy starts to rise:
• Protein: eggs, fish, chicken, Greek yoghurt and legumes
• Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts
• Whole grains for sustained energy

✨ OVULATION
Support overall health and reduce inflammation:
• Omega-3 fats: oily fish, walnuts, chia and flaxseeds
• Omega-3s support heart health, brain health, memory and cognitive function
• Antioxidant-rich foods such as berries and colourful fruit and vegetables
• Healthy fats including avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds

🌙 LUTEAL PHASE (Days 15-28)
Many women notice PMS symptoms during this phase:
• Magnesium-rich foods: nuts, seeds, dark chocolate and leafy greens
• Complex carbohydrates: oats, sweet potatoes and brown rice
• Calcium-rich foods: dairy products, fortified plant milks and tofu

🌸 PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE

Focus on:
💪 Protein at every meal to support muscle mass and metabolism
🦴 Calcium and Vitamin D for bone health
❤️🧠 Omega-3 fats for heart and brain health
🥦 Cruciferous vegetables to support hormone metabolism and gut health
🌱 Fibre from vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils and whole grains

Remember: there is no perfect “hormone-balancing diet”. The foundations remain the same:
✔️ Protein
✔️ Fibre
✔️ Healthy fats
✔️ Plenty of colourful plants
✔️ Good hydration

Small, sustainable changes will have a far greater impact on hormone health than any quick fix.

05/06/2026

A day spent learning and networking at the Primary Care Women’s Health Conference.

01/06/2026

Why Taking Time Out Matters 🌿

In a world that celebrates being busy, taking time out can sometimes feel unproductive. But the truth is that rest isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

When we’re constantly switched on, our stress hormones remain elevated, which can affect sleep, mood, concentration, energy levels, and even our hormones. Over time, this can leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from ourselves.

✨ Taking time to switch off allows your mind and body to:

* Reduce stress and anxiety
* Improve focus and productivity
* Support better sleep
* Boost creativity and problem-solving
* Improve mood and resilience
* Give your nervous system a chance to reset

A reset doesn’t have to mean a holiday. It can be:
🌳 A walk in nature
📚 Reading a book
☕ Sitting quietly with a coffee
🧘 Yoga or meditation
📵 Putting your phone away for an hour
👫 Spending quality time with loved ones

Remember: you don’t have to earn rest. Looking after yourself isn’t selfish—it’s what allows you to show up as your best self for the people and things that matter most.

Today, ask yourself:

“What can I do today that helps me recharge, rather than deplete my energy?”

Your wellbeing deserves to be a priority too. 💙

22/05/2026

Post shared courtesy of

If your breast cancer is ER-positive, it means your cancer cells have estrogen receptors. Estrogen can influence how those cells behave, which is why treatments like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors exist.
But the story is more complex than that. There are different types of estrogen. Estrogen is not a villain. It supports your brain, bones, heart and immune system, and it’s important to remember, it did not cause your cancer.
Cancer develops over time through many factors, including inflammation, immune changes, metabolic dysfunction, stress, and more. Yet most women are only given a stage, a grade, and a plan, not the full picture.
When thinking about hormones, a true risk-benefit conversation is needed. You deserve that full picture so you can make an informed decision.
That’s why we’ve launched a full series within the app that covers all the information you may need in relation to breast cancer and hormones.

21/05/2026

Low ferritin is something I see a lot in clinic — especially in women with heavy periods, perimenopause symptoms, fatigue or ongoing stress on the body.

Ferritin is your body’s stored iron.
You can have a “normal” haemoglobin and still have low ferritin and feel awful.

Signs your ferritin may be low:

* Fatigue or exhaustion
* Breathlessness on exertion
* Hair shedding or thinning
* Brain fog and poor concentration
* Dizziness
* Palpitations
* Anxiety or feeling “wired but tired”
* Headaches
* Poor exercise tolerance
* Restless legs
* Feeling cold all the time
* Low mood or reduced resilience

What is an “optimal” ferritin?

Labs often quote a very wide “normal” range, but many women can become symptomatic long before ferritin drops below the lab cut-off.

While interpretation should always be individual, many clinicians working in women’s health aim for ferritin levels that are:

* Above 60 µg/L for symptom improvement
* Sometimes 70–100 µg/L+ may be beneficial for hair health, energy and recovery in symptomatic women

Ferritin should always be interpreted alongside:
* Symptoms and clinical history

Common causes of low ferritin:

* Heavy menstrual bleeding
* Perimenopause changes
* Poor dietary intake
* Gut absorption issues
* Coeliac disease
* Frequent blood donation
* Intense exercise/endurance training
* Gastrointestinal blood loss

Important:

Low ferritin is a sign — not just something to mask with supplements.
It’s important to understand why levels are low and whether further investigation is needed.

If you’re constantly exhausted and being told your blood tests are “normal,” it may be worth looking more closely at your iron stores.

15/05/2026

Can I have HRT if I have endometriosis? 🤍

Yes — many women with endometriosis can use HRT safely, but it’s important that it’s prescribed carefully and individually.

Endometriosis is an oestrogen-sensitive condition, so one of the concerns with HRT is whether symptoms could return or flare. However, menopause symptoms can have a huge impact on quality of life, and avoiding HRT altogether is not always necessary.

Things we consider when discussing HRT and endometriosis include:

✨ Your current symptoms
✨ Whether you still have your womb and ovaries
✨ Previous surgery for endometriosis
✨ Severity of your endometriosis
✨ Whether symptoms are still active
✨ Your age and overall health

In many cases, women are advised to use:
• Continuous combined HRT (oestrogen with progesterone every day)
• A Mirena coil alongside oestrogen
• Careful monitoring of symptoms over time

Progesterone is important because it may help reduce stimulation of any remaining endometriosis tissue.

There is no “one size fits all” approach — treatment should always be individualised, balancing symptom relief, bone and heart health, and quality of life.

If you’ve been told you can never have HRT because of endometriosis, it may be worth having a specialist menopause review to discuss your options. 🤍

10/05/2026

“Racing heart. Fluttering. Skipped beats.
If you’re experiencing heart palpitations during perimenopause, you’re not imagining it. ❤️

Fluctuating hormone levels — particularly changes in oestrogen — can affect the nervous system, adrenaline response and blood vessels, making women more aware of their heartbeat.

Palpitations can happen alongside:
✨ Anxiety
✨ Hot flushes
✨ Poor sleep
✨ Stress
✨ Fatigue

For some women, body identical HRT can help improve palpitations by stabilising hormone fluctuations and reducing symptoms such as anxiety, hot flushes and sleep disturbance that can contribute to them. Improving overall nervous system regulation can make a real difference to how women feel day to day.

Lifestyle factors matter too:
🌿 Sleep
🌿 Reducing stress
🌿 Limiting excess caffeine/alcohol
🌿 Blood sugar balance
🌿 Gentle movement and exercise

Although palpitations are often benign in perimenopause, it’s important to seek medical advice to rule out other causes such as thyroid issues, anaemia or heart conditions.

You deserve to feel heard, reassured and supported through every stage of menopause. 🤍

08/05/2026

Yes I get it, I’m fortunate to have some excellent colleagues I can turn to when questioning myself. They know who they are 🥰

Imposter syndrome in healthcare is far more common than people realise — and strangely, it’s often the people who care the most who experience it.

That little voice saying:“Am I good enough?”“Did I miss something?”“Should I know more?”

It can feel uncomfortable, but it’s not always a bad thing.

In healthcare, a degree of self-reflection is healthy. It keeps us questioning, learning, checking evidence, seeking advice and striving to provide safe, compassionate care. The professionals who think they know everything are often the ones we should worry about most.

Imposter syndrome can be a sign that:✨ You care deeply about your patients✨ You take responsibility seriously✨ You want to keep learning✨ You recognise the importance of safe practice

The key is not letting it silence your confidence.

You are allowed to be knowledgeable and still learning.You are allowed to be experienced and still ask questions.You are allowed to be competent and still have moments of doubt.

Healthcare is complex. None of us know everything — and we were never meant to.

Growth, reflection and humility are strengths, not weaknesses. 🤍

30/04/2026

🌿 Cycle syncing… what is it and does it really matter?

We often hear about “cycle syncing” — adjusting your lifestyle to match the phases of your menstrual cycle. But what does that actually mean?

Your cycle isn’t just about your period — it’s a dynamic hormonal rhythm that can influence mood, energy, appetite and even how you respond to exercise.

✨ Menstrual phase (bleed)
Energy can feel lower. You may crave rest, warmth and gentle movement. Iron-rich foods and nourishing meals can help support you.

🌱 Follicular phase (after your period)
Oestrogen starts to rise — many women feel more motivated, social and focused. A great time to try new things, exercise a little more, and enjoy lighter, fresh foods.

🔥 Ovulation
Often when energy and confidence peak. You may feel your best physically and mentally — a good time for social plans, presentations, or higher intensity workouts.

🌙 Luteal phase (before your period)
Progesterone rises — you might notice calmer energy at first, then dips in mood, bloating, cravings, or irritability as your period approaches. This is where slowing down, prioritising sleep, and including protein and complex carbs can really help.

💡 So should we all be cycle syncing?
It can be helpful to understand your body’s patterns — but it’s not about rigid rules or “perfect” routines.

There’s no one-size-fits-all, and not everyone will notice clear shifts. Hormonal contraception, perimenopause, stress, sleep and lifestyle all play a role.

💬 The key message?
➡️ Tune in, not control
➡️ Be flexible, not restrictive
➡️ Use awareness to support your wellbeing — not to add pressure

Your body is not meant to perform the same way every single day — and that’s completely normal.

—

Body Confidence Clinic

19/06/2026

12/06/2026

05/06/2026

01/06/2026

22/05/2026

21/05/2026

15/05/2026

10/05/2026

08/05/2026

30/04/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category