naturopathy Archives • Alison Mitchell Naturopath

HPV & Cervical Health: What You Need to Know

Alison — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:23:25 +0000

If you’ve recently received an HPV diagnosis, first things first — take a breath. A positive result can feel alarming, but the reality is that HPV is incredibly common, and for most people, the immune system clears it on its own.

That said, there’s a lot you can do to support that process. Here’s what I want you to understand about HPV, and how a naturopathic approach can complement your conventional care.

First, the reassuring part

HPV is incredibly common — most sexually active people will encounter it at some point in their lives. The immune system clears the virus on its own in roughly 70% of cases within 12 months, and around 90% of cases within two years.

There are over 100 subtypes of HPV, and only a small number — primarily types 16 and 18 — are associated with the kind of cell changes that can progress toward cancer over time. Persistent infection over many years, rather than a single positive result, is what’s associated with higher-grade changes. This is why regular cervical screening is so important, and why early detection matters.

A positive HPV result is not a cancer diagnosis — it’s information. And information gives you the opportunity to act.

How HPV actually works

HPV works by targeting the body’s natural tumour-suppressing genes, typically at a site of micro-trauma in the cervical tissue. Certain high-risk subtypes carry what are called E6 and E7 oncogenes, which essentially interfere with those protective mechanisms. This is why supporting immune function — your body’s ability to recognise and respond to the virus — is so central to a naturopathic approach to cervical health.

The good news is that immune function is highly modifiable. What you eat, how you sleep, what you’re exposed to, and the state of your microbiome all play a meaningful role.

What influences your immune response to HPV?

Research points to several modifiable factors that influence whether HPV persists or clears. Here’s what’s worth understanding:

Nutrition

A diet low in fruit, vegetables, and methylation-supporting nutrients is associated with poorer HPV outcomes. The Mediterranean diet specifically has been studied with favourable results. Zinc, folate, and brassica vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) are particularly relevant.

The vaginal microbiome

The vaginal microbiome plays a significant and often overlooked role in HPV persistence or regression. A healthy environment dominated by Lactobacillus species and a pH below 4.5 supports the immune responses that work in your favour.

Stress & sleep

High levels of perceived stress have been specifically associated with impaired immune response to HPV-16. Chronic stress shifts cytokine balance in the body, creating a more pro-inflammatory environment. Sleep disturbances compound this further.

Toxin exposure

Ongoing exposure to environmental chemicals — plastics, phthalates, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants — impairs immune function. Everyday sources like synthetic menstrual products and non-organic underwear are worth considering.

Other lifestyle factors

Smoking, excessive alcohol use, oral contraceptive use, and a high overall infection load (including viruses like EBV and CMV) are all associated with increased risk of HPV persistence and progression.

What a naturopathic approach looks like

Naturopathic support for HPV isn’t about replacing your gynaecological care — it works alongside it. The focus is on identifying and addressing the factors unique to you that may be influencing your immune response, supporting the body’s natural clearance mechanisms, and reducing overall risk where possible.

This might include:

Nutritional and dietary support — tailoring your diet to support immune function, methylation, and healthy oestrogen metabolism, with specific foods and nutrients that research supports for cervical health.

Targeted supplementation — based on your individual presentation, testing, and health history.

Microbiome support — including the use of custom-compounded vaginal pessaries where appropriate. These can be formulated with anti-viral properties and beneficial bacteria to help reduce viral load and support a healthy vaginal environment. In some cases, a comprehensive vaginal microbiome test may also be recommended to get a full picture of what’s happening at a microbial level and guide treatment more precisely.

Related Reading: What to do when Thrush and BV don’t go away

Stress and sleep support — because a nervous system under chronic load is a significant barrier to immune function, and this is often the piece that gets missed in conventional care.

Reducing environmental exposures — practical, evidence-informed guidance on the changes that will make the most difference for your situation.

Every person’s picture is different. What matters is identifying the specific factors at play for you — which is why individualised, one-on-one care delivers results that generic advice simply can’t.

Please don’t skip your cervical screening

Whatever else you are doing, please keep up with your regular cervical screening appointments. Screening is what allows us to catch any cell changes early, when they are most straightforward to manage. It remains one of the single most important things you can do for your cervical health — and it works best when done consistently over time.

Naturopathic support and cervical screening are not either/or — they work best together. Screening gives you information; naturopathic care gives you tools to act on it.

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Ready to take a more proactive approach?

If you’ve had an HPV diagnosis and want support that goes beyond what a standard GP appointment has time to offer, I’d love to work with you. I take a thorough, whole-person approach to cervical and hormonal health — looking at everything from nutrition and gut health to stress, environment, and your microbiome.

Book a consultation

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Carissa is Back from Maternity Leave

Alison — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 04:10:08 +0000

I am thrilled to welcome Carissa back from maternity leave! After spending precious time with her beautiful baby girl, Poppy, Carissa is returning to practice and will be available for online consultations on Thursdays. In addition, she will be the primary practitioner handling email consults, making it easier than ever to get expert naturopathic support from the comfort of your home.

Get to Know Carissa

What’s your favourite thing about being a naturopath?

My favourite thing about being a naturopath is based on one of the naturopathic principles “the healing power of nature.” It truly amazes me just how interconnected we are with the planet; how herbs and nutrients can support the body in restoring balance. It’s really rewarding working with nature to guide my clients toward better health with the tools we can find in our backyard!

What’s your latest obsession?

Right now, my latest obsession is kids’ nutrition, especially since my little girl has just started solids. I couldn’t resist diving deep into it! I’m loving the book Boob to Food—it’s been a great resource for creating healthy, nutritious meals for my bub (and hub). I find myself reading it weekly and picking up new tips every time.

Current herb obsession and why?

If I had to choose a favorite herb, it would definitely be the beautiful dandelion! It’s such a versatile plant—supporting everything from digestion to detoxification. Plus, it makes such a delicious tea. It’s hands down one of the herbs I use most in my formulas, and I’m always amazed by its benefits.

Favourite meal?

My favourite meal would be grilled salmon with sautéed greens (especially broccolini, kale and Brussels sprouts) with roasted pumpkin or sweet potato—yum! I could eat this every day.

Favourite conditions to work with?

Some of my favourite conditions to work with are skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. I can really relate to these conditions, as I was that typical eczema kid growing up—constantly battling flare-ups due to a poor diet. It wasn’t until I discovered naturopathy that I started to find real relief, and now I’m passionate about helping others do the same.

What is something that you’ve learnt about pregnancy and motherhood since becoming a Mum?

Wow, where do I start? Since becoming a mum, what I’ve learned more than anything is just how incredibly adaptable the female body is, especially during pregnancy and motherhood. Our hormonal system is so complex, and it’s fascinating how it shifts and changes to support us through every stage—from conception to birth and beyond! What strikes me the most is the way our bodies respond to the demands of motherhood, from breastfeeding to the emotional rollercoaster we experience, and how everything is interconnected. As a naturopath, I’m in awe of how our bodies are designed to nurture and care for our little ones while keeping us balanced, even through all the changes we go through.

Carissa has a special interest in working with children’s health, pregnancy, and all aspects of skin health. Whether you’re looking for support with your little one’s health, navigating pregnancy and postpartum wellness, or addressing skin concerns naturally, Carissa brings her expertise and compassionate approach to every consult. Of course, as a fully trained naturopath, she is well-equipped to work with a wide range of health conditions, offering tailored, holistic solutions to support your well-being.

One unique aspect of working with Carissa is the incorporation of iridology into her consultations. Iridology is the study of the iris (the colored part of the eye) as a reflection of overall health and genetic predispositions. By analyzing patterns, colors, and markings in the iris, Carissa can gain valuable insights into your constitution, organ function, and potential areas of imbalance. For online consults, we make this process simple: before your appointment, we will send you instructions on how to take a clear photo of your iris and email it to Carissa. This allows her to integrate this valuable tool into your consultation, providing a deeper level of understanding and personalized recommendations.

Carissa also utilizes drop dose herbal prescribing, a method that involves using highly concentrated herbal extracts in small doses to create profound therapeutic effects. This gentle yet powerful approach allows for precise, individualized treatment, making it particularly effective for sensitive individuals, children, and those with complex health conditions.

Carissa is excited to reconnect with both new and existing clients and support you on your health journey. Whether through a video consult or an email consultation, she is here to help you feel your best with evidence-based naturopathic care.

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Clinic Times – 2019

Alison — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:20:41 +0000

Welcome to 2019! It’s in full swing, we’ve hit February already!

I am not back to normal clinic times, so for those who would like a refresher of where and when I am available, here you go:

Monday: Available for Skype Consults only

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 1230-530pm at Windsor

Thursday: Closed

Friday: 11-7pm at Dural

Saturday: 9-130pm at Windsor

Sunday: Closed

You can book for Naturopathy or Massage in any of the clinic times, and you can book for Skype Consults (Naturopathy) on the Monday or any of the clinic days.

Contact me to book in

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Meet Simone, my locum

Alison — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 22:46:45 +0000

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Maternity leave and locum news

In case you didn’t know, I will be going on maternity leave sometime this September. Of course, I don’t want to leave my beautiful patients in the lurch so I have brought in Simone Davis to act as my locum.

Simone studied at Endeavour College and completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) and is accredited with NHAA.

Simone lives locally and has 2 beautiful children, 2 free range (house trained!) rabbits, a dog and a pet husband. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, dancing, cooking and yoga.

Like myself and other Naturopaths, Simone can treat a wide range of conditions but she is especially interested in helping people overcome thyroid and mood disorders. I’m very excited to have her working with me as she’s not only a beautiful caring person but also extremely intelligent. I am confident that my patients will be under fantastic care with her.

If you’ve been in the clinic in the last few months then chances are you’ve met Simone as she’s been observing consults so that she can get to know people and to achieve a smooth transition.

When I am away on maternity leave I will still be in regular contact with Simone and working behind the scenes, so you can be sure you won’t be getting a different treatment than if I were seeing you.

As of next week we are offering a limited amount of reduced price consult packages with Simone (I will still be observing at this point), so if you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity then give the clinic a call and quote the code SIMONE AUGUST to get one of these spots.

If you’ve been wanting to see a Naturopath for a while but been putting it off, don’t miss this very rare opportunity.

What you get:

1 x Initial Consult (normally $110)

2 x follow up Consults (normally $65 each)

Total = $145 (saving of $95)

Health fund rebates still available.

Conditions:

Supplements, herbs or required testing extra (at normal price)
Deal is bought as a package which includes the single initial consult and 2 follow up (standard) consultations
Payable at time of booking.
Health fund claims to be made after appointment completed
Consults must be completed within 2 months of purchase
Deal only available for purchase during August or until sold out
Package can be bought as a gift voucher, however consults are not to be divided amongst other people
Additional consults after the package is completed are at normal price.
These consults only available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Connect with Simone via her F acebook page here.

To purchase a package call Health Dimensions on 02 88246792 or 02 45776215.

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