(02) 9009 5255 CONTACT US
(02) 9009 5255 CONTACT US

Susan Arentz

Associate Naturopath & Herbal Medicine Specialist PhD, BHSc(Hons), ND, NHAA, FSA, ISCMR
Susan’s approach is calm, practical and transparent. She respects traditional knowledge and whole-person care, while recognising that science remains our best tool for testing health claims. She helps patients navigate natural therapies with clearer evidence, realistic expectations and care that supports, rather than replaces, medical treatment.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Expertise and Special Interests

Susan has a special interest in:

  • PCOS/PMOS
  • Fertility and preconception healthcare
  • IVF support
  • Irregular cycles and mesntrual disorders
  • Endometriosis and pelvic pain
  • Endometriosis
  • Perimenopause and menopause
  • Nutritional and herbal medicine in women's health
view publications

Susan completed her PhD in 2016 under the supervision of Professor Jason Abbott.  Her research focused on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), increasingly understood as a broader reproductive and metabolic condition, including the effectiveness and safety of naturopathic care.

She has published clinical research on lifestyle, nutritional and herbal medicine approaches for PCOS/PMOS, pelvic pain, diminished ovarian reserve and fertility, and has contributed to evidence reviews, clinical practice guideline work and consumer health resources in complementary and integrative medicine.

Susan is involved in research education and supervision, including supporting PhD candidates and developing evidence-informed approaches to complementary and integrative medicine.  She is Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Integrative Medicine and the Australian Journal of Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine, and Chair of the Nominations Committee for the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research.

Susan’s clinical aim is to help women understand their health clearly, make informed choices and use natural therapies safely and effectively as part of multidisciplinary care. She believes in whole-person and preventive healthcare, and in helping women find simple, realistic changes that can make a meaningful difference over time.

Outside work, Susan enjoys quiet time, nature and family life in Sydney.

It is Susan’s mission to support and educate people rather than just treat them.  In her spare time, Susan nurtures her family and walks the talk!

Publication List

Peer-reviewed journal articles

  1. Arentz S, Abbott JA, Smith CA, Bensoussan A. Herbal medicine for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated oligo/amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism: a review of the laboratory evidence for effects. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14(1):511.
  2. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J, Fahey P, Cheema BS, Bensoussan A. Combined lifestyle and herbal medicine in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2017;31(9):1330-1340.
  3. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J, Bensoussan A. Nutritional supplements and herbal medicines for women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):500.
  4. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott JA, Bensoussan A. A survey of the use of complementary medicine by a self-selected community group of Australian women with polycystic ovary syndrome. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14(1):472.
  5. Hunter J, Arentz S, Goldenberg J, Yang G, Beardsley J, Myers SP, et al. Zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections in adults: a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. 2021;11(11):e047474.
  6. Arentz S, Hunter J, Yang G, Goldenberg J, Beardsley J, Myers SP, et al. Zinc for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and other acute viral respiratory infections: a rapid review. Adv Integr Med. 2020;7(4):252-260.
  7. Hunter J, Arentz S, Goldenberg J, Yang G, Beardsley J, Mertz D, Leeder S. Rapid review protocol: zinc for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and other coronavirus-related respiratory tract infections. Integr Med Res. 2020;9(3):100457.
  8. Hunter J, Arentz S, Goldenberg J, Yang G, Beardsley J, Lee MS, et al. Choose your shortcuts wisely: COVID-19 rapid reviews of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. Integr Med Res. 2020;9(3):100484.
  9. Ee C, Levett K, Smith C, Armour M, Dahlen HG, Chopra P, Maroun P, et al. Complementary medicines and therapies in clinical guidelines on pregnancy care: a systematic review. Women Birth. 2022;35(4):e303-e317.
  10. Arentz S, Smith C, Redmond R, Abbott J, Armour M. A cross-sectional study of Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner’s knowledge, treatment strategies and integration of practice of chronic pelvic pain in women. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21:174.
  11. Armour M, Al-Dabbas MA, Ee C, Smith CA, Ussher J, Arentz S, Lawson K, et al. The effectiveness of a modified Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan formulation (Gynoclear™) for the treatment of endometriosis: a study protocol for a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Trials. 2021;22(1):299.
  12. Arentz S, Hunter J, Deed G. Integrating traditional and complementary medicine recommendations into clinical practice guidelines for people with diabetes in need of palliative and end-of-life care. J Altern Complement Med. 2020;26(7):571-591.
  13. Maunder A, Arentz S, Armour M, Costello MF, Ee C. Health needs, treatment decisions and experience of traditional complementary and integrative medicine use by women with diminished ovarian reserve: a cross-sectional survey. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2024;64(4):390-398.
  14. Maunder A, Arentz S, Armour M, Costello MF, Ee C. Effectiveness of naturopathy for pregnancy in women with diminished ovarian reserve: feasibility randomized controlled trial. Reprod Biomed Online. 2024;48(6):103844.
  15. Maunder A, Arentz S, Armour M, Costello MF, Ee C. Naturopaths’ approach to care of women with infertility: a cross-sectional survey. Eur J Integr Med. 2024;66:102329.
  16. Maunder A, Arentz S, Armour M, Costello MF, Ee C. Establishing key components of naturopathic management of women with diminished ovarian reserve: a Delphi study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2024;55:101839.
  17. Hunter J, Arentz S, Goldenberg J, Yang G, Beardsley J, Myers SP, et al. Benefits and risks of zinc for adults during COVID-19: rapid systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. medRxiv. 2020:2020.11.02.20220038.
  18. Hunter J, Arentz S, Deed G. Protocol for a rapid evidence review of traditional and complementary medicine for people with diabetes receiving palliative or end-of-life care. Hosp Palliat Med Int J. 1:1-8.
  19. Arentz S. IV concoctions of vitamins and minerals: is more really more? Aust J Herbal Naturopath Med. 2021;33:152-154.
  20. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J, Bensoussan A. Diet and exercise as a management strategy for symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the views of women in the community with PCOS. BMC Womens Health.
  21. Arentz S. Strategic integration of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine into clinical practice guidelines. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2020;13(2):79.
  22. Arentz S. Improving evidence synthesis: clarifying explanatory and effectiveness randomized clinical trials in complementary and integrative medicine. Integr Med Res. 2025;14(4).
  23. Arentz S. When wellness beats science. Aust J Herbal Naturopath Med. 2025;37(3).
  24. Arentz S. Editorial: Long-haul COVID; a naturopathic and western herbal medicine approach. Aust J Herbal Naturopath Med. 2022;34(3):96-98.
  25. Arentz S, Smith C, Redmond R. A cross-sectional study of traditional Chinese medicine practitioner’s knowledge, treatment strategies and integration of practice of chronic pelvic pain in women. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21:174.
  26. Arentz S, Hunter J, Yang G, Goldenberg J, Beardsley J, Myers SP, et al. Zinc for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viral infections. Adv Integr Med.
  27. Arentz S. Professional unity and evidence: two agents of change. Aust J Herbal Naturopath Med. 2019;31(2):54-56.
  28. Arentz S. Fertility and conception. J Complement Med. 2009;8(1).

Conference abstracts and presentations

  1. Davenport C, Arentz S, Sekyere E, Steel A. Standard or activated B-vitamins for reducing stress in higher education students: a randomised control trial. Adv Integr Med. 2019;6(Suppl):S121.
  2. Hunter J, Liu J, Lee MS, Arentz S. Clinical practice guidelines: bridging traditional knowledge, scientific evidence and practice. Adv Integr Med. 2019;6:S24-S25.
  3. Arentz S, Smith C, Abbott J, Fahey P, Cheema B, Bensoussan A. Randomized controlled trial of combined lifestyle and herbal medicine in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod. 2017;32(Suppl 1):i31-i32.
  4. Arentz S. Fertility Society of Australia annual conference. Aust J Herbal Naturopath Med. 2019;31(4).
  5. Arentz S, Hunter J, Deed G. Diabetes in palliative and end-of-life care: scoping reviews as a systematic strategy for consideration of complementary medicine in clinical guidelines. Adv Integr Med. 2019;6:S87.
  6. Arentz S, Armour M, Reid R, Smith C. Chronic pelvic pain: Chinese medicine practitioner’s knowledge, treatment strategies and integration of practice. Adv Integr Med. 2019;6:S5.
  7. Arentz S, Smith C, Abbott J, Bensoussan A. Clinical trials for the real world. Adv Integr Med. 2019;6:S65.
  8. Arentz S, O’Brien G. Improving reproductive physiology and fertility for people with abnormal body mass index. NHMRC Australian Health and Medical Research Congress. 2006:2430.
  9. O’Brien G, Arentz S. Normalising reproductive physiology in the preconception period. NHMRC Australian Health and Medical Research Congress. 2006:2429.

Reports, guidelines and protocols

  1. Dunning T, Martin P, Arentz S, Bennett C, Deed G, Hunter J, Kennedy M, et al. Guidelines for deciding palliative and end-of-life care with people with diabetes. Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, Deakin University.
  2. Arentz S, Hunter J, Goldenberg J, Yang G, Beardsley J. Protocol for a rapid review of zinc for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and other coronavirus-related respiratory tract infections in humans.
  3. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott JA, Bensoussan A. Perceptions and experiences of lifestyle interventions in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as a management strategy for symptoms of PCOS.
  4. Arentz S, Hunter J, Khamba B, Mravunac M, Lee Z, Alexander K, Lauche R, et al. Honeybee products for the treatment and recovery from viral respiratory infections including SARS-CoV-2: a rapid systematic review.
  5. Dunning T, Martin P. Clinical practice guidelines: guidelines for deciding palliative and end-of-life care for people with diabetes.

Professional publications and other outputs

  1. Arentz S, O’Brien GM. Improving fertility naturally. J Complement Med.
  2. Arentz S, Evans S, Goldenberg J, Harnett J, McIntyre E, Sinclair MJ, et al. Herbal and naturopathic medicine.
  3. Arentz S, Smith C. The role of traditional and complementary medicine to improve fertility and emotional well-being. Your Fertility Health Professional Fact Sheets.
  4. Arentz S, Smith C. Fertility Society of Australia.
  5. Arentz S. The role of naturopathic medicine in the management of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PQDT-Global.

Featuring Susan Arentz

on the blog

From PCOS to PMOS: why the name is changing

General Health and Wellbeing , Gynaecology , Fertility
Science catching up with what women have long known. READ MORE
on the blog

Nutrition and health

General Health and Wellbeing
With so many dietary recommendations around, it is difficult to know what food is most likely to optimise health, manage body weight, maximise brain… READ MORE
on the blog

Is natural HRT making you sick?

Gynaecology
Many women prefer natural treatments over chemical hormone replacement and there are studies showing that some plant based treatments may improve… READ MORE
on the blog

Broccoli, lemons and early pregnancy...

Pregnancy
The health of an early pregnancy relies on sufficient nutrient, blood and oxygen delivery to the growing baby, and while eating broccoli and lemons… READ MORE
on the blog

Peri-operative implications for use of…

General Health and Wellbeing , Gynaecology
There is enormous public enthusiasm for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with studies reporting 70-85% of the population regularly using… READ MORE
on the blog

Antioxidents for Men

Fertility
Infertility is not just related to problems for women, but there can be many problems in men too. READ MORE
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT