Charlotte Evans - Women's Health Specialist

08/03/2023

Happy International Women's Day!

28/02/2023

This is very exciting. I focus on immune factors as part of my diet and lifestyle protocol.

It is thought that IL8 can be modulated in various ways to some degree using nutrition and supplements and so on, so this is an incredible piece of research and will bring about some additional hope to those suffering with this crippling disease 🤞🏻

http://bit.ly/3IUZU9E

25/10/2022

Ohohoho soooo this! Meet people where they are. Stop making food an exclusive complex maze.

21/07/2022

"Le***an couples will finally be able to access NHS fertility services under the same terms as their straight counterparts – and it’s a huge day for those who’ve been campaigning for an end to the ‘gay tax’ on IVF."

We are over the moon that we are very gradually hearing more stories like this, however still a way to go to.

Single women and couples where one party had children from previous relationships are still being unfairly penalised.

We regularly sign petitions and write to MPs, a small voice but if we all make enough noise together, things will change.

https://bit.ly/3IUzvak

16/03/2022

March is Endometriosis Awareness month and here is just one of many patient stories I have heard over the years I have been in practice. Sadly these are all too familiar. Many thanks to this patient for her words. Many people don’t understand just how detrimental endometriosis is to quality of life. For many women like this patient, there is none. It’s not just a painful period.

"From the age of 15 I normalised fainting from
pain and having two heavy periods a month which massively controlled what I could and couldn’t do.

I was told it was normal.

When s*x became painful, I was told by one GP that I probably just didn’t fancy my boyfriend.

Fast forward 18 years, many Gyne appointments, scans and generally being fobbed off, I was told about Charlotte. Within a five minute initial phone call she guessed I had endometriosis, a word I had never even heard of. I sped up medical investigations thanks to Charlotte giving me the evidence and backing. Even my surgeon said it was unlikely I had Endo, as when he poked my tummy, it didn’t hurt. I decided to go ahead with a Laparoscopy anyway, and was finally diagnosed with Stage Four, Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (go hard or go home).

Charlotte was like a crutch through this time, and over the past year and a half with her help, I am now not only having one period a month, less heavy bleeding and manageable pain but the biggest thing is that I am now also pregnant. This is something I never thought would happen and was told by doctors would be an issue.

Endometriosis is a horrible, lonely, all encompassing illness, and for 18 years I didn’t even know I had it. The diagnosis gave me validation for the pain and the anger, but it also gave me something tangible to work on. Charlotte has helped me learn to live with it, manage it, and always gave me hope, and actually, everything has worked out just fine." AP

🤍

(📷 general image)

09/03/2022

Let’s talk sleep hygiene! I love my mask by Alaska Bear, a Himalayan rock lamp by the bed for low lux exposure, a Neal's Yard Remedies candle for a cosiness and This Works lavender pillow spray; Tropic Skincare UK also do a lovely one.

We all know it: high-quality sleep is vital for both healing and sustained wellness. While the body appears from the outside to be still and inactive, sleep is a time when the body is quite busy. During the night, we restock our supply of hormones, process significant toxins, repair damaged tissue, generate vital white blood cells for immunity, eliminate the effects of stress, and process heavy emotions.

Here are some simple changes to improve or fully remedy poor sleep:

😴 Choose more calming, quieter evening activities that help you to relax, both mentally and physically (e.g. reading a book, taking a bath, listening to a podcast, mindful colouring, puzzles)

😴 Turn off all full-spectrum light for a full 1-2 hours before bedtime. This means no email, TV, or smart phone apps

😴 Avoid amping up your brain with stressful activities. I also recommend no caffeinated food or drink at all after 12pm (e.g. tea (even green), coffee, fizzy drinks, chocolate); yes, it *can* affect you that many hours later

😴 If noise is an issue in your bedroom I often recommend ear plugs-I currently use Bioears, but on the lookout for a biodegradable reusable alternative! Comment 👇🏻if you have suggestions!

😴 Keep an eye on the temperature. Rooms which are too hot or too cold tend to wake us up

😴 Have a relaxing ritual at night. Herbal tea (e.g. lavender, chamomile, valerian, passionflower) can help one to relax and set the tone for sleep. A hot bath with Epsom salts may work well. Or perhaps 10 minutes of gratitude journaling or reading an inspirational or spiritual book

😴 Quiet your digestion. This is a particularly powerful one that surprises many. For clients with insomnia or light, restless sleep, I recommend no food at all for 2-3 three hours before bed

Do you have any night time rituals that help you sleep?

08/03/2022

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today I am reflecting on some women of the past, present and future who have spoken to my soul in some way. There are sooooo many – this list is but a fraction and includes those who are lesser known. It’s important to highlight as many of these incredible women as possible.

Past: Corrie ten Boom – saved 800+ Jews during WW2; Wangari Maathai - environmental activist and the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize; Kathrine Switzer - the first woman to run the Boston Marathon despite multiple attempts to stop her; Lakshmi Bai, queen and warrior; Alice Ball - chemist whose work was published after her death without giving her credit; Rosalind Franklin - chemist, acknowledged as one of the most important scientists of the 20th century for her work with DNA; and Rachel Carson- environmentalist.

Present: Tarana Burke – founder of the Me Too movement; the Norwegian Handball team; Lowri Morgan - ultramarathon runner; Jameela Jamil; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ann Daniels – British Adventurer.

Future: Fahma Mohamed – FGM campaigner; Bana al-Abed -Syrian refugee and author; Keely Thorne – founded The Homeless Period; Bella Lack – activist and youth ambassador; Amika George – period poverty activist and lastly, I couldn’t miss my daughter off the list. She inspires me to be the best version of myself every day. Her determination, strong will and silent power takes my breath away, as does her kindness and drive for fairness.

07/03/2022

My work zone - I have a pot of delicious tea, beautiful Neal's Yard Remedies energising oils in my vaporiser and some focus music in the background from the Calm App 🤗

What is your work space like? ⬇️

04/03/2022

What it means to be seen….I got an unexpected little doorstep gift from a gorgeous being yesterday. After a particularly difficult week and being premenstrual, her words resonated so deeply with me and they were truly medicine for my soul.

And so a check-in…whose flame do you protect and who protects yours?

Reaching out and giving gratitude to those who take care of you during your storms is so important. It means more than you know….as I can attest to. 💚💚

03/03/2022

HAPPY WORLD BOOK DAY!! 📖

This is a micro sample of the 100s of books that I have lining my shelves… these are some of my favourites that have guided me throughout the years in my journey supporting and taking care of women and their health. Some I’ve had since I was 17!

Special mention to: ‘Women who run with the Wolves’ by - this book has been my bible since it was recommended to me when I was a very young woman, a constant on my bedside table. It has also been lent and copies gifted to so many special women in my life.

The Red Tent by left an indelible mark on my soul and a major reason as to why I am so passionate about working with women.

Fix Your Period - by my dear dear friend Nicole Jardim - I have been reliably informed by many patients that this book is like having me in your handbag. And given that I know just how much Nicole put into this book (the loooong phone calls often consisting of streams of expletives can attest to this! Nicole you have put me off writing a book for LIFE woman!) I am deeply honoured. It’s an amazing book and will literally change your life. And it’s a great alternative to having to listen to me!!

Clinician to Coach by Dr Jessica Drummond taught me everything I didn’t know about this coaching work (and there was ALOT I didn’t know!) Her dedication to education in this field is inspirational and she works tirelessly. The woman is a machine! Thank you for the wisdom!

How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - reading that book was like having your best mate over, giving it to you straight over a glass of wine or two. A ray of sunshine on some particularly cloudy days as I transitioned to motherhood. Her new book is also a gem!

What is your favourite book and why? What did it teach you?

07/02/2022

This is incredible. Not only as a menstruality educator and mentor, but as a woman, a mother, a sister and a daughter, am I overjoyed that we have come so far in our journey. Not only are menstrual products now available for free and openly and without shame, but we are going further to offer options that are better for our health and that of the environment. I remember getting my first Menstrual cup (a Moon cup no less!) nearly 20 years ago. Then they were very taboo and lots of people I think asked to and were baffled or thought I was being a weird hippy again!😆 And now here we are!! Being given away FOR FREE in a public space! Well done Norfolk Library and Information Service, for being part of the progress.🩸

You asked and we listened - an eco friendly, sustainable answer to

❤️ Mooncups are available from all Norfolk Libraries.

❤️ These are FREE.

❤️ No questions asked.

❤️ They are individually packed with a label showing which size they are.

❤️ Please share this so we can help as many people as possible.

Norfolk Libraries cares about you.



Mooncup