Introducing Functional Medicine Consultations: A Root-Cause Approach to Women's Health

We are delighted to announce a new addition to our practice: Functional Medicine Consultations. This evidence-based, root-cause approach complements our existing gynaecological services and allows us to offer a more complete picture of women's health — one that addresses not just symptoms, but the underlying factors that drive them.

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a patient-centred, science-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, functional medicine looks at the complex web of interactions in a patient's history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness.

In the context of women's health, this means going beyond a standard consultation to explore:

• Hormonal balance — understanding the full hormonal picture, including thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive hormones and how they interact
• Gut health — the microbiome plays a key role in oestrogen metabolism, immune function, and inflammation
• Nutritional status — identifying deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium, and other nutrients critical to women's health
• Chronic inflammation — a common driver of conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS, and autoimmune thyroid disease
• Stress and adrenal function — how chronic stress impacts hormonal health, sleep, and energy levels
• Environmental factors — the role of endocrine disruptors, toxin exposure, and lifestyle factors in hormonal imbalance

Who can benefit?

Functional medicine consultations are particularly valuable for women experiencing:

• Persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest
• Hormonal imbalances such as irregular periods, PMS, or difficult perimenopause
• Digestive issues including bloating, IBS-type symptoms, and food sensitivities
• Recurrent infections or autoimmune conditions
• Weight changes that seem resistant to conventional approaches
• Brain fog, low mood, or anxiety without a clear cause
• Skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or hair thinning linked to hormonal factors

It is also an excellent option for women who feel they have been told that their blood tests are "normal" but still don't feel well. Functional medicine uses more comprehensive testing and looks at optimal ranges, not just reference ranges.

What to expect from a consultation

A functional medicine consultation is longer and more in-depth than a standard appointment. It typically includes:

• A detailed health timeline — understanding your health history from birth to present, including key triggers and life events
• Comprehensive questionnaires — covering diet, sleep, stress, digestion, energy, and environmental exposures
• Advanced diagnostic testing — this may include comprehensive hormone panels, thyroid antibodies, gut microbiome analysis, nutritional assessments, organic acids testing, and inflammatory markers
• A personalised treatment plan — combining targeted nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle modifications, and where appropriate, conventional medical treatments

How it complements gynaecological care

Functional medicine does not replace conventional gynaecology — it enhances it. For example, a woman with endometriosis may benefit from both medical management and a functional approach that addresses gut health and inflammation. A patient starting HRT for menopause may see better results when nutritional deficiencies and adrenal health are also optimised.

By combining Dr. Kotur de Castelbajac's expertise in medical gynaecology with functional medicine training, we can now offer a truly integrative approach to women's health care.

Book your Functional Medicine consultation

If you're interested in taking a deeper, root-cause approach to your health, we'd love to hear from you. Functional medicine consultations are available at our London clinics. Book your appointment here or contact us to find out more.