I’m Sam — Naturopath, Menopause Specialist, and someone who has navigated her own complicated health journey, including a hysterectomy in my early 40s, a neck cancer diagnosis, and the ongoing daily reality of living with both hashimoto’s and fibromyalgia. So when I say I understand what it feels like to wake up exhausted, ache from head to toe, and not be able to find the word you were literally just about to say — I mean it.
“Fibromyalgia is wildly misunderstood, but your pain is real.
My personal journey to reclaiming my energy – and moving past just learn to live with it.'”
Sam Lluisé
Fibromyalgia (or fibro, as those of us living with it tend to call it) is one of the most misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and frankly under-respected conditions in modern medicine. And yet it affects an estimated 2–4% of the population — the vast majority of them women. It’s not imaginary. It’s not just stress. And there is so much more you can do beyond “learn to manage it.”
Let’s get into it!
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, persistent fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive difficulties — the infamous “fibro fog” that makes you feel like your brain is operating through a thick cloud of cotton wool. It’s a central sensitisation syndrome, which means the nervous system has become hypersensitive: pain signals get amplified, and things that shouldn’t hurt, do.
The symptom picture is wide-ranging and can include:
No wonder it takes an average of five years to get a diagnosis. Many of these symptoms mimic other conditions — thyroid dysfunction, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and yes, perimenopause and menopause. Which brings me to something I see constantly in my clinic.
Here’s something that might make you feel rather seen: fibromyalgia disproportionately affects women, and it’s most commonly diagnosed during the perimenopausal and menopausal years. That’s not a coincidence.
Oestrogen is a natural pain modulator. It supports serotonin production, calms the nervous system, and raises your pain threshold. When oestrogen levels decline or fluctuate wildly — as they do throughout perimenopause — your nervous system can become hypersensitive. Pain signals are amplified. The protective buffer disappears. Research confirms that approximately 70% of perimenopausal women experience musculoskeletal pain, and there is a well-documented increase in new-onset fibromyalgia at this life stage.
Progesterone plays a role too — it has a calming, sedative effect on the nervous system. As progesterone drops in perimenopause, anxiety heightens, sleep deteriorates, and the nervous system loses yet another layer of protection against pain sensitisation.
For women who already have fibromyalgia, the menopausal transition frequently causes a significant worsening of symptoms. Research also shows that fibromyalgia tends to be more severe in women who have had a hysterectomy – something I can speak to personally.
It’s also worth noting that thyroid conditions — particularly Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — frequently co-exist with fibromyalgia. An underactive or poorly managed thyroid can produce near-identical symptoms: fatigue, brain fog, widespread pain, and weight gain. If you have fibromyalgia, your thyroid function is worth investigating thoroughly, not just a standard TSH test.
A lot. Not a cure — I’m not going to promise you that. But a meaningful, evidence-informed approach that addresses the underlying drivers rather than just managing symptoms? Absolutely
The research consistently points to a multifaceted approach being most effective for fibromyalgia — and that is exactly what naturopathic medicine does well. Here’s what the evidence supports:
Recent research highlights the role of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and low-grade inflammation in fibromyalgia. A diet rich in phytonutrients — colourful vegetables, herbs, legumes, and whole foods — can directly modulate these pathways. In my clinic I use a precision nutrition approach, tailoring food plans to each individual’s biochemistry, inflammatory markers, and hormonal picture. This isn’t about following a trending diet; it’s about understanding what your specific body needs.
Key dietary principles for fibromyalgia include prioritising anti-inflammatory whole foods, reducing ultra-processed foods and refined sugar (major pain amplifiers), supporting the gut-brain axis through fermented foods and fibre, and ensuring adequate protein for muscle repair and neurotransmitter production.
Several nutraceuticals have emerging evidence in fibromyalgia and chronic pain:
Coenzyme Q10 — supports mitochondrial energy production and has been studied in fibromyalgia for fatigue and cognitive symptoms.
Important note: Supplementation should always be personalised. More is not always better, and some supplements interact with medications. Working with a qualified practitioner means your protocol is tailored to your needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach from Google.
Non-restorative sleep is not just a symptom of fibromyalgia — it actively makes it worse. Poor sleep increases pain sensitivity, amplifies inflammation, impairs cognitive function, and worsens mood. Addressing sleep is a priority, not an afterthought.
Naturopathic sleep support includes herbal nervines (passionflower, lemon balm, valerian), magnesium, melatonin where appropriate, addressing any underlying hormonal disruption, and solid sleep hygiene foundations. For women in perimenopause or menopause, addressing the hormonal picture is often the most impactful intervention for sleep.
Fibromyalgia is fundamentally a nervous system condition. Chronic stress perpetuates the central sensitisation that underpins it, keeping the nervous system in a state of high alert. Research consistently supports mind-body approaches — including mindfulness meditation, gentle movement, and nervous system regulation techniques — as meaningful tools for improving quality of life and reducing the impact of pain.
Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and rhodiola can help modulate the stress response and support cortisol regulation — particularly useful when HPA axis dysregulation (a common feature of fibromyalgia) is driving fatigue and pain flares.
The evidence is clear that movement helps fibromyalgia — but it must be the right kind, at the right intensity. Pushing through pain or jumping into high-intensity exercise will make things worse, not better. Gentle, consistent movement — hydrotherapy, yoga, tai chi, or low-impact walking — reduces pain sensitisation, improves sleep, and supports mood without triggering a flare.
Start low, go slow, and be kind to yourself on the hard days.
For women in the perimenopausal or menopausal window, supporting hormonal balance is often the most transformative piece of the fibromyalgia puzzle. This may include naturopathic support through phytoestrogens, herbal hormone modulators, and targeted nutrition — alongside a conversation with your GP or gynaecologist about whether body-identical hormone therapy is appropriate for your situation.
Treating hormones and fibromyalgia as separate, unrelated problems is a disservice to women. They are deeply interconnected, and an integrated approach that addresses both is where the real progress happens.
I’m writing this particular blog on a fibro brain day — which means I’ve reread some of these sentences four times and still wasn’t sure they made sense. Fibro fog is real, it is deeply frustrating, and it can significantly impact your quality of life and confidence.
Cognitive symptoms in fibromyalgia stem from central sensitisation, poor sleep, neuroinflammation, and often, hormonal disruption affecting neurotransmitter function. Nutritional support for brain health — omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, adequate hydration, blood sugar stability — alongside sleep optimisation and stress reduction, can make a meaningful difference. Be patient with yourself on the hard days. This is not a character flaw; it is a symptom.
My approach to fibromyalgia combines the rigour of evidence-based natural medicine with something that clinical training alone cannot give you: genuine, personal understanding of what it is to live in a body that hurts.
Having navigated a hysterectomy in my early 40s, a neck cancer diagnosis, and the day-to-day reality of managing Hashimoto’s and fibromyalgia myself, I know what it feels like to be told your results are “normal” when you feel anything but. I know the grief of a flare that cancels your plans. And I know the profound difference that the right, targeted support can make.
In clinic, I approach fibromyalgia comprehensively — looking at your hormonal health, thyroid function, inflammatory markers, gut health, sleep, stress load, and nutrition. I work collaboratively with your GP, endocrinologist, or specialist where needed, because fibromyalgia doesn’t live in a silo and neither should your care.
This is not about replacing conventional medicine. It’s about filling the gaps — the “there’s nothing more we can do” conversations — with a thorough, personalised, and genuinely compassionate approach.
If you’ve been living with fibromyalgia and feel like you’ve hit a wall — whether you’re newly diagnosed, going around in circles, or noticing your symptoms worsening through perimenopause — I’d love to work with you.
Book a consultation with me to explore how simple shifts in your eating habits
and how the correct foods for your body, can make a real difference to your health and how you feel every day
Telehealth consultations available across Australia.
You don’t have to keep managing alone.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making changes to your health care, supplementation, or medication.
About the Author
Sam Lluisé, BHSc Naturopath, Metabolic Balance Practitioner, and founder of Lotus Women’s Health supports women to move through hormonal transitions with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of self.
With a focus on menopause, mental wellness, chronic pain, and supporting women post-cancer, her approach integrates modern functional testing with traditional naturopathic wisdom, offering personalised herbal and nutritional protocols that honour both science and the individual.
Sam’s philosophy is simple. Your body is always communicating, and when you learn to listen, healing becomes possible. Working alongside you to restore balance, rebuild energy, and help you feel at home in your body again, creating a foundation for long-term vitality and wellbeing.
Medical review: This article reflects current naturopathic approaches and is based on the author’s clinical experience and training.
Copyright © Samantha Lluisé of Lotus Womens Health 2026
FREE GUIDE
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A naturopath’s guide to eating more plants through menopause;
without giving up meat, and without the fatigue, brain fog or bloat.
No need to go vegan. Just more plants, alongside what you already eat.
Constant Fatigue
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