Guest Blog Series: Saoirse’s Story – Endometriosis, Inflammation, Nutrition & Hope

We’re honoured to share this blog series with women’s health coach and endometriosis specialist Saoirse Nash (@the.wholehealthcoach).

Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience with chronic UTI and endometriosis, Saoirse brings a compassionate, holistic perspective to supporting women’s hormonal and reproductive health.

Across this blog, she shares:

• Her personal journey

• Why inflammation is central to endometriosis

• How nutrition and stress impact symptoms

• The power of seed cycling and yoga

• Nervous system regulation practices

• Myth busting and a message of hope

Saoirse’s Story: The Journey to Supporting Women with Endometriosis

Like many practitioners in this space, my work began with my own health struggles.

I experienced recurrent UTIs throughout my teens, eventually developing a chronic UTI at 24. Daily pain worsened week by week. I received little support in Ireland and ultimately travelled to England to see a specialist. Long-term antibiotics weren’t what I hoped for, but they gave me my quality of life back.

Later, I received a clinical diagnosis of endometriosis. I now live with daily symptoms due to this disease.

There is nothing like experiencing ill health yourself to make you feel passionately about helping others.

Why Inflammation Is Key in Endometriosis

If there is one thing I wish more women understood about managing endometriosis naturally, it’s this: Inflammation regulation is essential.

We live in an inflammation-promoting world:

• Air pollution

• Highly processed foods

• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals

• Chronic daily stress

All of these dysregulate the nervous system and push the body into fight-or-flight. The immune system responds with inflammatory chemicals.

Inflammation is normal in moderation. The issue with endometriosis is that inflammation is often high-level and ongoing.

Endometriosis itself produces inflammatory chemicals - so women are already starting at a higher baseline. Add lifestyle inflammation on top, and symptoms escalate.

A primary goal for women with endometriosis should be lowering systemic inflammation through food and lifestyle.

Cycle Syncing: Working With Your Body

Cycle syncing means adjusting daily habits in line with your menstrual phases.

The modern world mirrors the male 24-hour circadian rhythm. Women also have an infradian rhythm - the monthly hormonal cycle.

Energy often:

• Rises post-menstruation

• Peaks around ovulation

• Drops pre-menstruation

This isn’t “woo.” It’s hormonal physiology.

Cycle syncing might look like:

• Scheduling meetings and social time during follicular/ovulatory phases

• Slowing down in luteal/menstrual phases

• Protecting your energy

• Seed Cycling

For women with endometriosis - who often live with pain, fatigue, digestive issues and anxiety - this can be transformative.

Even small shifts matter. You don’t need a complete diary overhaul.

How Yoga Supports Endometriosis

Yoga is powerful because it regulates the nervous system.

Chronic pain often means chronic nervous system dysregulation. When stuck in fight-or-flight, the body diverts energy away from digestion, immunity and repair.

The parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) state allows healing.

Yoga:

• Calms and grounds

• Encourages parasympathetic activation

• Offers gentle movement without worsening fatigue

For women managing pain and exhaustion, slow, mindful movement can be supportive rather than depleting.

Nutrition Foundations for Endometriosis

There are many entry points to nutritional support.

You could begin by:

✓ Reducing ultra-processed foods (UPFs)
✓ Reading ingredient lists carefully
✓ Avoiding additives and excessive sugars
✓ Increasing fruit and vegetable intake
✓ Focusing on colour variety
✓ Reducing sugar and artificial sweeteners

Sugar-filled breakfasts can dysregulate blood sugar for the rest of the day. If you want sweetness, opt for dark chocolate (70%+), dates or whole-food desserts.

During Flares

Prioritise:

• Vegetables

• High-fibre fruits (berries, apples, green bananas)

Avoid:

• Ready meals

• Protein bars

• Sweets and processed snacks

These foods increase inflammation and can worsen flare symptoms.

Stress, Gut Health & Hormones

Chronic stress activates fight-or-flight. Cortisol rises. Energy diverts away from digestion, immunity and reproduction.

Consequences include:

• Poor nutrient absorption

• “Leaky gut”

• Blood sugar dysregulation

• Increased inflammation

Women with endometriosis already have elevated inflammation. Chronic stress compounds this.

Managing stress is central to managing endometriosis.

What Is Seed Cycling?

Seed cycling involves eating:

Follicular Phase (Day 1 → Ovulation)

• Ground Flax seeds

• Ground Pumpkin seeds

Luteal Phase (Ovulation → Next Bleed)

• Ground Sesame seeds

• Ground Sunflower seeds

If tracking ovulation, switch seeds once ovulation is confirmed. 

How the Seeds Support the Body

Flax seeds

• Rich in lignans (phytoestrogens)

• Support healthy oestrogen regulation

• Provide fibre and omega-3s

• Help regulate inflammation

Pumpkin seeds

• High in magnesium and zinc

• Support hormone balance

• Support nervous and immune systems

Sesame seeds

• Rich in lignans

• Support hormone metabolism

Sunflower seeds

• Provide vitamin E, selenium and healthy fats

• Support progesterone production

• Contribute to antioxidant activity

Together, they provide fibre, essential fatty acids, minerals and plant compounds that support hormone balance and inflammatory regulation.

Seed cycling is not a cure for endometriosis.
It is a gentle, food-first practice that may support the body’s natural rhythms when practised consistently.

Seed Cycle - a simple, convenient option

Seed Cycle's organic seed blends are pre-ground, weighed and packaged for the two  main phases of your cycle. This removes friction and makes consistency easier. 

You can add them to anything. My favourite way?
1–2 tablespoons stirred into porridge after cooking, topped with Greek yoghurt and nut butter.

Everyday Nervous System Practices

Nervous system regulation is foundational.

Simple daily practices:

✓ 5 minutes of meditation or visualisation
✓ Gentle stretching or yoga
✓ Reading
✓ Drinking herbal tea without your phone

Breathwork doesn’t need to be complicated.

Try: 1–2 minutes. Slow inhale. Longer, slower exhale.

A longer exhale signals safety to the body.

Even clothing matters. Tight jeans pressing on a bloated belly adds stress. Comfortable clothing can ease flare discomfort and support nervous system calm.

Myth Busting

Myth 1: The Pill cures endometriosis.
It may mask symptoms but does not cure the disease. Endometriosis is not solely hormonally driven.

Myth 2: Endometriosis is just a reproductive condition.
It is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting multiple systems.

Myth 3: Food and lifestyle don’t influence progression.
They absolutely do. Reducing inflammation through daily choices can influence symptom severity.

This is empowering — because it means women have agency.

A Message of Hope

I get you. You are not alone.

Endometriosis is exhausting. But there are things you can do at home to support your body.

You can:

• Change what you eat

• Change how you move

• Change how you regulate stress

These shifts can help you feel more at home in your body.

There is hope for feeling better.

Seed Cycling as Ongoing Support

Seed cycling offers gentle nutritional support that complements:

• Anti-inflammatory nutrition

• Nervous system regulation

• Cycle syncing

• Mind–body practices

It is not a medical treatment. But it can be part of an empowered, informed approach to long-term hormonal wellbeing.

Continue Your Journey

If you feel called to deepen this work, you can work with Saoirse Nash (@the.wholehealthcoach) for personalised, compassionate support on your endometriosis journey.

Shop Our Organic Seed Cycle Blends

Seed Cycle’s specially crafted blends offer a simple and convenient option, made with organic ingredients that are pre-ground and portioned into two easy packs for the two main phases of your menstrual cycle. Start your Seed Cycling journey here.

 

Work With Saoirse: For 1:1 coaching and holistic endometriosis support.

→ Connect with Saoirse @the.wholehealthcoach