Interview - Menopause and Perimenopause: A Conversation with Dr Kafayat Lee

Christine Guirguis is an AHPRA-registered acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine practitioner with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She has a particular interest in women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, hormonal health, pain and complex conditions, combining Traditional Chinese Medicine with a collaborative and evidence-informed approach.

Karina is a degree-qualified Clinical Naturopath who supports clients through every stage of life, from childhood to the later "wisdom years," with a personalised, evidence-informed approach to health and wellbeing. She completed her Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) at Endeavour College of Natural Health, where she developed strong clinical foundations under the guidance of experienced practising naturopaths. With a particular passion for neuroscience, cognitive function and mental health, Karina is currently undertaking a Masters pathway in Mental Health and Neuroscience, deepening her understanding of the brain-body connection and how it influences long-term health. She is committed to combining contemporary research with holistic naturopathic care to help her clients optimise their wellbeing and achieve sustainable health outcomes.

With more than 30 years of experience as a General Practitioner, Dr Jane Taylor brings extensive expertise in both conventional and integrative medicine, having spent over two decades focusing on holistic and alternative approaches to patient care. She also dedicated fourteen years to teaching as a clinical tutor at the Australian National University Medical School. Jane has a strong clinical interest in women’s hormonal health, supporting patients through life stages from adolescence to menopause, as well as treating autoimmune hormonal conditions such as Hashimoto’s Disease and Graves Disease. Her treatment philosophy centres on identifying and addressing underlying contributors to illness through personalised nutritional and dietary interventions, targeted supplementation and injectable therapies where appropriate, and a significant focus on improving gut health and overall wellbeing. CK Health is pleased to provide access to Jane’s highly specialised services, which are uncommon within the Newcastle region. Her practice is focused specifically on autoimmune and female hormonal conditions, and she does not consult with children. Initial appointments are required to be pre-paid.

Dr Ailina Ismail helps people with fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, hormonal changes, thyroid concerns, and suspected autoimmune dysfunction understand what their body may be trying to communicate, especially when standard tests have been called “normal”. With more than 30 years of clinical experience and a strong background in conventional medicine, Dr Ailina Ismail is a Functional Medicine Doctor dedicated to helping people uncover the root causes behind persistent symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, hormonal changes, digestive issues, thyroid concerns, inflammation, and suspected autoimmune dysfunction. Her approach combines medical rigour with a comprehensive, whole-body perspective, exploring how factors including gut health, hormones, immunity, metabolism, nutrition, environment, and the nervous system may be influencing overall wellbeing. Through her signature 5R Program, Dr Ailina provides a structured and personalised framework that includes detailed history taking, functional bloodwork interpretation, lifestyle and nutrition guidance, and practical education to help clients gain clarity, feel heard, and make informed decisions about their health. She is particularly passionate about supporting health-conscious women who have struggled to find answers and are seeking a more thorough, clinically grounded approach to long-term wellness.