FAQ

Many people are embarrassed to talk about their personal and intimate health. Our clinicans have  a lot of experience dealing with these issues and always ensure you are comfortable. If parts of your health history are particularly personal or traumatic then it is up to you how much you share. However the best results are often achieved when all the information is known.

Upon booking you will receive links to an electronic intake questionnaire. This questionnaire covers a lot of the essential details about vaginal and intimate health that might be embarrassing for you to be asked in person. The information on this form is then used to refine your consult. Supplying any personal information on this form might make it a little more comfortable for you in the consult.

As a health professional all information you provide is private and confidential. No information is shared with a third party without your written consent. In these instances it is usually in the form of a referral or shared care.

Intimate Ecology is a 100% online clinic operating via zoom teleconference. We are able to work this way by utilising specialised testing, referral networks and ensuring you have had any acute or worrying symptoms assessed by your GP or specialist. Our practice is able to work with a variety of timezones/countries as our clinicians have staggered clinical shifts. However we can not work with people in the USA or Canada. This restriction is associated with difficulties in obtaining liability insurances via Australian insurers. In our Guild Practitioners tab you will find a list of clinicians who are situated in different countries. Some are situated in, or able to work with the USA. 

EMAILS & LINKS ARE EVERYTHING

We ask that you ensure you have received our booking email which contains the important links you need to access your consultation (check junk). Connect to the clinic if this email has not been received 2 hours post booking.

TIMEZONES

We also know timezones can be tricky. Please ensure you have the correct timezone. Intimate Ecology defaults to AEST (QLD /Brisbane Australia time).

The frequency of your appointments is dependant on a number of factors. For most a follow up will be scheduled within 3-4 weeks of their first appointment. After that appointments can be scheduled from fortnightly to monthly. If you have been given an intervention that requires more regular check ups your clinician will let you know. Conditions like UTI and acute pain presentations may require more frequent check ins.

Usually when working with hormones and intimate health we work on a monthly cycle.

The answer is, it depends. If it’s a quick one line enquiry to do with the logistics of prescription then usually a quick email will be answered. If you have a specific health related questions or if you have experienced a change in your health  that would require a discussion then we recommended you book a follow up consult 30 minutes to go over your concerns and care.

If things up come up between your appointments that are not urgent please make a note of them on your phone or on paper and you can discuss them at your next scheduled appointment.

Non urgent emails will be saved to file for review in your next consultation. 

At Intimate Ecology we try and keep our prices reasonable and still reflective of the care and effort that goes into the assessment of your health. Because of this we currently don’t offer discounts. If finances are a little tight please mention this in your initial consultation. Your practitioner will be able to tailor your prescription and follow up schedule to take this into account. Taking finances into consideration may mean that your care is slightly modified and as such it may take longer to achieve optimal results. In all cases cost of treatment is taken into account, care also encompasses dietary and lifestyle change which often has the biggest impact and costs the least.

Yes. Our clinicians can work with many clients already under the care of a Naturopath. In these instances we requests that your current practitioner write a referral letter outlining your current care and protocols. The healthcare Intimate Ecology provides is more as a specialist than your primary Naturopath. With your permission we can inform the practitioner of any suggested protocols and anything identified they need to support you in. You continue to see your Naturopath as usual.

Alternatively as our clinicians are naturopaths working with a holistic framework they are able to support you with conditions and issues outside of genitourinary health. This can include acute consultations for illness like cold and flu or for more complex developing health issues. If referral is required to specialist practitioners (naturopathic or medical) we will let you know. 

Yes, there is still many things we can improve and many safe interventions that can be implemented. Being aware of what pharmaceuticals you are taking may change the protocol and suggestions slightly however there is always something that we can work on that will improve your situation. In your initial consultation you will be asked about any current pharmaceutical and supplemental medications. If you have complex pharmaceutical protocols we ask that you provide details of this prior to you consult.

As part of our work with the microbiome there are instances where standard antimicrobial therapies like antibiotics and antifungals may be required after reviewing microbiome results or because of acute symptom presentations. Your practitioner will discuss all options to you in consultation including referral and access as appropriate to pharmacy or your GP. If you have additional questions on this outside of consult related to the need for acute prescription we ask that you book a return/follow up consultation to discuss with your clinician. 

If you have symptoms that have not been tested medically such as discharge, bleeding or pain then it is suggested that you visit your medical provider for testing. If you have had recent testing or assessment it is useful to supply the results of these for review as part of your initial consultation. In your time together your practitioner will let you know if further testing is required and how you can access this testing.

As a holistic practice our naturopaths combine mainstream pathology testing with some functional testing which helps to understand your overall health.

In many instances we will suggest vaginal or specific microbiome testing to understand your picture. You can initiate this before your first consult via links and details in the booking email. Please note: You do not have to do this before consult and you do not need to wait for results before your first consultation. First consults are an in-depth exploration of your health and symptoms. We will often suggest a treatment plan that includes relevant pathology after this consultation. 

Absolutely. While genitourinary health is our area of special interest, all of the practitioners at Intimate Ecology are qualified naturopaths with experience supporting a wide range of health concerns.

We take a holistic approach to healthcare, recognising that the reproductive, urinary, gastrointestinal, immune, hormonal and nervous systems are all interconnected. Improving vaginal or genitourinary health often means understanding and addressing the broader factors that influence it.

Whether you need support for hormones, digestive health, immune function, metabolic health, stress, sleep, acute illness or another health concern, your practitioner can work with you to develop a personalised plan.

Many of our clients first come to us for a specific genitourinary concern and continue to see us as their healthcare needs evolve. We value building long-term therapeutic relationships that support your health across all stages of life.

Yes. While Intimate Ecology is known for expertise in vaginal and genitourinary health, our practitioners also provide naturopathic care for general health and wellbeing.

Your partner, child, family member or friend is welcome to book an appointment, whether they are looking for support with a specific health concern or simply want to optimise their overall health.

We commonly support areas such as digestive health, hormonal balance, immune function, metabolic health, stress and resilience, nutritional support, acute illnesses and general wellbeing. If someone also has a genitourinary concern, they benefit from our additional expertise in this area.

If you're unsure which practitioner is the best fit, our team is happy to help guide you to the most appropriate appointment. Reach out via our contact form. 

Yes, we run live webinars for the public. Details of this can be found on our social media and in our online school for replay. You can visit the Videos and Public Webinars Tab (under Blogs and Research) to see some of these resources. We are developing more resources for clients to help them on their health journey. If you want to stay up to date on these developments please sign up to the public mailing list.

Usually yes. Every prospective member of the practitioner education support group is required to answer two questions. Please supply your qualification name and education establishment to be assessed for entry to the group. Decisions are made on a case by case basis.

Yes, you will be required to answer the two questions on entry. Please list your year of study, discipline and education establishment. As a student member it is expected that you mostly observe on the page unless adding comment on something which you have personal experience with. The page is a good place to learn about aspects of health you may not be taught in the current standard syllabus.

The best way to stay up to date on what is on offer, Early Bird Specials, free bonuses and educational events is to subscribe to the practitioner mailing list. Being a member of the Facebook practitioner page and following me on social media will also expose you to some events.

Most of the Intimate Ecology courses are eligible for CPD/CPE. You may need to check with your association body to see what they award CPD for, as the breakdown is different for every association e.g some will provide points for reading research and others only direct interaction/audiovisual training. The LIVE FB trainings and YouTube videos which occur with regularity on the practitioner page are not eligible for CPD/CPE points.

Every formal education event supplies a certificate of completion with the breakdown of the hours on it for you to submit to your association. In some instances Intimate Ecology has negotiated specific CPD points with the most prominent Australian complementary medicine associations, you will be notified of this in the promotional material.

Please read the guidelines of your association to gauge if you can claim my courses.

Intimate Ecology has a few different options which may suit you.

Formal Mentoring:

Moira offers formal mentoring via zoom audiovisual calls. Client consent is usually required even if sharing de-identified information. You can find out about the mentoring options via the mentoring and Education tab or by sending an email to enquiries@intimateecology.com.au

If your ready to book a mentoring appointment you can do so in the Education part of this website.

Education Short Course:

Alternatively you may find the answer to your questions in one of the Intimate Ecology short courses which can be purchased through the Intimate Ecology Teachable school. Please check out the Education link on this website for more information.