A holistic approach
There is a LOT of information about (peri)menopause out there. Some people offer coaching about nutrition, others offer supplements. Health coaches, personal trainers, and other providers all offer their knowledge about the change in mid-life. Some might be able to provide information about hormone therapy.
Why am I different? I offer it all, with a post grad to back it up.
My Story
I was trained in The Netherlands as a nurse. I did a post grad in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Yet all I learned about menopause was the change in hormones in a clinical way. The decrease in hormones would lead to a change in periods, hot flashes and would result in having the last period. And that was it. So it took me quit a while to connect the dots when I started myself. To say it hit me like a ton of bricks is an understatement.
Anxiety, severe depression, gut issues, the feeling of being disconnected.... This all made me realise we as women are not prepared as well as when we hit puberty. (Remember the talks at school/with your mum about pads etc?).
So I have made it my mission, to create a support network around the women of New Zealand to be equipped with knowledge and tools to support them in a holistic way. Let me be your mum giving you the talk, the tools and the shoulder to cry on if needed (even if you feel you need to cry over the fact you found out there is no more ice cream in the freezer. Totally get that!)
In orde to support this,I completed a Nursing post grad through the Dutch education system, and graduated in October 2025. I am now a Dutch certified Menopause Nurse specialist.
About the post grad
In the Netherlands, there are nurse specialists who work either in a private practice, in a practice with a GP or in a hospital setting. These nurses have completed a 400-hour post grad. The focus is not just about (peri) menopause , but covers other causes of similar symptoms, so they have a differential diagnosis ready. The post grad covers the use of hormones, pelvic floor health, sleep disturbances, psychiatry, endocrinology, cancer treatment, female heart health, sexual health and well-being, grief and loss, supplement use, endocrinology and more.
What do I offer?
Having a nursing background and currently working as a personal trainer/holistic movement coach puts me in a unique position. I love to combine the evidence based information with a more holistic and natural approach, completely tailored for the person in front of me. Because of my ongoing learning I can make sure I will able to offer you the most up to date knowledge there is.
First consultation: ( 1hr, 15 mins)
During the first consultation I will follow the NZ health pathways, written out for every health care provider working in New Zealand. This is what we will cover:
- Expanding knowledge about hormones and their influence.
- What happens during (peri) menopause
- Medical history and personal risk factors on heart, bones and diabetes
- Blood pressure
- Family history that might influence the decision to start hormone therapy
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If hormone therapy is something that would be considered, I will cover the following subjects with you:
- Indications to start hormone therapy
- (side) Effects of hormone therapy
- Different types of hormone therapy, way to administer it, explaining the pros and cons
- What to expect when starting hormone therapy
- Any other topics that worry you.
After the consultation, I will write a letter to your GP, which you can take with you during your consultation. My recommendation of hormone therapy use will be in that letter as well.
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Follow up consultation: (45mins)
In the follow up consultation we will discuss the experience of hormones therapy if started, evaluate the dose and type of the therapy. We might cover the following subjects as well:
- How stress has an impact on the effectiveness of hormone therapy and symptoms in general
- Life style changes and coaching around how to implement these
- Sexual health and well-being
- Exercise, nutrition, sleep, and any other worries we haven't covered in the initial consultation
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" For years I felt unheard, not listened to and dismissed by my doctor. I did my own reseach and told my doctor I wanted to try HRT, only to be told it caused cancer and being sent away with another prescription of anti depressants. Marja explained to me what was happening in my body, which explained all the other random symptoms too.
Best investment in myself by far."
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Sharon