Endo Untangled

Dr Alecia Macrow GP with Cherie Noble EP
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Unravels the complexities of endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain one conversation at a time. Join Dr Alecia Macrow, GP and founder of Thrive Family Practice, and Exercise Physiologist Cherie Noble, as they explore the tangled threads of pelvic pain with compassion, curiosity, and clinical insight. From hormones to hypermobility, trauma to treatment gaps, Endo Untangled dives into the real-life experiences and science behind one of the most misunderstood conditions in women’s health. We talk to experts, share stories, and challenge outdated thinking.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 31. POTS 2.0: What to Do When Salt and Water Aren’t Enough w Cardiologist Dr Alexis Cutchins

    POTS is often introduced with the same advice: drink more water and eat more salt. What happens when that isn’t enough? In this episode, we welcome back cardiologist Dr Alexis Cutchins for a practical deep dive into diagnosing and managing POTS. We talk through what can be done in primary care, when further cardiac investigation is useful, how to make salt, fluid and compression actually work, and how to approach exercise without triggering a crash. Then we go beyond the basics, covering medications including midodrine, fludrocortisone, desmopressin, ivabradine and beta blockers, how blood pressure can help guide treatment, and why finding the right combination often takes some trial and error. We also discuss orthostatic intolerance that doesn’t quite meet the textbook POTS criteria, the importance of early treatment, and why people shouldn’t have to wait a year for specialist review before anyone starts helping them feel better. A practical episode for people living with POTS, the people who care about them, and health professionals wanting more confidence about what to do next.

  2. Sep 14

    Ep 30: Ten things to get underway while you’re waiting (so you’re not starting from scratch)

    Waiting for a pelvic pain appointment can feel like being stuck in limbo. But there are a few useful things you can get underway now, from organising some basic tests and screening to finding the right GP and starting to understand what might be contributing to your symptoms. In this episode, Alecia and Cherie talk through practical things that may help while you wait, including what your bowels may be telling you, why breathing mechanics matter, whether hypermobility could be part of the picture, menstrual hibernation, and the value of finding a GP who can help coordinate your care. There are 10 ideas in total, but this is not another giant to-do list. Pick one thing; start there.Resources mentioned in this episode: 💩 Bristol Stool Chart⁠https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/constipation-resources-for-carers/⁠ 🚽 Constipation Scoring System / Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score⁠https://thepelvicfloorsociety.co.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/Cleveland%20constipation%20score.pdf⁠ 🦓 Hypermobility: Beighton Score + Five-Part Questionnaire⁠https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/assessing-joint-hypermobility/⁠ 💳 Medicare Safety Net⁠https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-safety-nets⁠ 🧪 Cervical screening and self-collection⁠https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/self-collection-for-the-cervical-screening-test⁠ As always, this podcast provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.

  3. Aug 31

    Ep 29: Life on Hard Mode. ADHD, Hormones and Pelvic Pain with Dr Emilie Staehr

    What happens when you add ADHD to an already complicated pelvic pain picture? Dr Emilie Staehr joins us to unpack ADHD through a female lens: why it’s so often missed in women, how hormones can change the way symptoms show up, and what happens when executive dysfunction collides with the demands of managing chronic pain. We talk periods, pregnancy and perimenopause, masking and burnout, and why asking someone to manage medications, appointments, physio, sleep, movement, bowel and bladder strategies can become almost impossible when ADHD is part of the picture. And perhaps most importantly: what changes when you realise you’ve been living life on hard mode?

  4. Aug 17

    Ep 28: Skipping Periods: What’s Safe, What Works and What to Do When It Doesn’t with Dr Jess Floreani

    Is it really okay to skip periods? Do you need to have a bleed every month? Every few months? And what do you do when the pill that’s meant to stop your bleeding… doesn’t? Dr Jess Floreani is back for a practical follow-up to our episode Is the Pill Just a Band-Aid? We talk about why suppressing periods can be useful for people with painful periods, pelvic pain and endometriosis, and tackle some of the common worries about whether it’s safe to skip periods and what happens when you eventually stop the pill. Then we get into the practical stuff: Slinda versus the combined pill, when to start, whether to take the sugar pills, how to skip periods, what to expect in the first few months, and how to troubleshoot breakthrough bleeding. We also cover the four-day “reset”, and when ongoing bleeding or pain might mean it’s time to try something different. And we introduce a new way of thinking about period suppression: menstrual hibernation. The bear isn’t gone. She’s just having a well-earned sleep.

  5. Aug 3

    Ep 27: When Pelvic Pain Doesn't Add Up. Understanding Pelvic Venous Disease with Sarah Thorncraft RN and Dr James Hillhouse

    Join GP Dr Alecia Macrow as she interviews interventional radiologist Dr James Hillhouse and nurse practitioner candidate Sarah Thorncraft to explore one of the most overlooked contributors to persistent pelvic pain: pelvic venous disease. Together they unpack: ​why pelvic venous disease is often missed​how venous pain differs from endometriosis​the symptoms that should raise suspicion​why a "normal" scan doesn't always rule it out​which investigations to order and when to refer​current interventional treatment options, including embolisation Resources Meissner MH, Khilnani NM, et al. The Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology (SVP) classification of pelvic venous disorders. This is the consensus paper James refers to during the episode and provides an excellent framework for understanding pelvic venous disorders. Open-access article (PMC)

  6. Jul 20

    Ep 26: Mirena, Kyleena & IUDs: The Honest Conversation, with Dr Jessica Floreani

    Thinking about a Mirena but feeling nervous? Heard horror stories about IUDs and aren't sure what to believe? In this episode, GP Dr Jess Floreani joins Dr Alecia Macrow and exercise physiologist Cherie Noble to unpack everything you need to know about hormonal and copper IUDs. We cover: • Mirena vs Kyleena vs copper IUDs • How they actually work • Why they can be so effective for endometriosis, pelvic pain and heavy periods • What insertion is really like • Common side effects and what to expect afterwards • Mood, weight gain and other common myths • Risks such as perforation, infection and expulsion, and how common they really are • When an IUD might (and might not) be the right choice Whether you're considering an IUD yourself or you're a health professional supporting people with pelvic pain, this episode aims to replace fear with evidence and practical advice. This podcast is for education only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Please speak with your own healthcare professional about your individual circumstances.

  7. Jun 29

    Ep 25: Why Is My Body Falling Apart But My Tests Are Normal? If you can't connect the issues, think connective tissues with Dr Fraser Burling Rheumatologist and Ehlers Danlos expert

    This is a special combined episode of Endo Untangled and the Australian POTS Foundation. We're joined by Dr Marie-Claire Seeley, CEO of the Australian POTS Foundation, and Dr Fraser Burling, New Zealand rheumatologist and internationally recognised expert in hypermobility and connective tissue disorders. Together we explore why connective tissue might be the missing link for some people living with invisible illness. We discuss hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, mast cell activation, heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, POTS and why normal blood tests don't always mean nothing is wrong. Because sometimes, if you can't connect the issues, it's worth thinking about the connective tissues.

  8. Jun 21

    Ep 24: The Diagnosis Behind the Diagnoses? MCAS, POTS, EDS & Endometriosis with Dr Alexis Cutchens

    Why do so many people with endometriosis also have food sensitivities, bloating, bladder symptoms, migraines, fatigue, POTS or hypermobility? Is it coincidence, or are we missing part of the picture? Recorded live at the 2026 Australian POTS Foundation Conference, we sat down with internationally recognised cardiologist Dr Alexis Cutchens to talk about mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), a topic many of us were never taught about, but one that keeps showing up in complex patients. We explore what mast cells actually do, why MCAS can look like much more than "just allergies", and why clinicians working in pelvic pain often find themselves learning about POTS, connective tissue disorders and immune dysfunction. Along the way, we discuss everything from heavy periods, bladder symptoms, medication sensitivities, hormones and pregnancy through to perimenopause, antihistamines, and the very real experience of patients who seem to collect diagnosis after diagnosis without anyone joining the dots. This is a conversation about curiosity and complexity. We don't have all the answers, but if you've ever wondered whether these conditions might be more connected than we realise, come along for this incredible ride!

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About

Unravels the complexities of endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain one conversation at a time. Join Dr Alecia Macrow, GP and founder of Thrive Family Practice, and Exercise Physiologist Cherie Noble, as they explore the tangled threads of pelvic pain with compassion, curiosity, and clinical insight. From hormones to hypermobility, trauma to treatment gaps, Endo Untangled dives into the real-life experiences and science behind one of the most misunderstood conditions in women’s health. We talk to experts, share stories, and challenge outdated thinking.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Alecia Macrow GP with Cherie Noble EP
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr Alecia Macrow GP with Cherie Noble EP
  • Show Website
    Endo Untangled

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