About Urban Sense Wellness
A Clinic Where Women Are Taken Seriously
At Urban Sense Wellness, we believe midlife is not the beginning of decline — it’s the beginning of a more informed, intentional phase of life.
It’s a time for deeper understanding, clearer priorities, and stronger foundations for long-term health.
Yet too often, women are left feeling confused, dismissed, or unsupported during one of the most physiologically significant transitions they will experience..
Here, things are different
Urban Sense Wellness was created as a place where women are listened to carefully, assessed thoroughly, and guided with clarity — not rushed through appointments or offered generic solutions.
Founded and led by Naturopath Cheryl Penna, Urban Sense supports women through perimenopause and menopause — a phase marked by hormonal shifts that can disrupt metabolic function, influence weight regulation and body composition, and flow on to affect digestion, skin function, sleep quality, energy, and overall wellbeing.
Every plan is evidence-informed, thoughtfully designed, and tailored to the individual woman — her physiology, her life stage, and her goals.
Meet Cheryl Penna
Founder | Naturopath | Medical Herbalist | Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
I’m Cheryl Penna, founder of Urban Sense Wellness. For over 20 years, I’ve supported women through midlife transitions with clear, informed, and personalised care.
Before establishing Urban Sense, I spent nearly two decades working as a flight attendant — a demanding, high-pressure role that eventually impacted my own health. That experience sparked a deep interest in understanding how chronic stress, disrupted rhythms, and cumulative lifestyle demands affect the body over time. It led me to formal training in naturopathic and herbal medicine, and ultimately shaped the way I practice today.
Alongside my naturopathic training, I have continued my studies in Ayurvedic medicine — a traditional life science that deepens understanding of natural rhythms, digestion, metabolism, sleep, and seasonal change. These principles are not used in isolation, but integrated thoughtfully into my clinical work to help women align eating patterns, daily routines, and recovery with how their body actually functions at different stages of life.
Since then, I’ve worked with thousands of women moving through hormonal change — a phase where shifts in hormones can influence metabolic function, weight regulation, digestion, skin health, energy, and recovery. My approach is grounded in science and clinical experience, and refined through years of observing how real women respond to real-life pressures.
That combination — evidence-based practice, traditional lifestyle insight, and lived experience — informs every consultation, every plan, and every recommendation I make.
My Approach
Personalised. Practical. Proven.
My approach is designed around understanding how your body actually works — and what it needs to function well during hormonal change.
Rather than chasing symptoms, I focus on identifying the underlying drivers of imbalance and creating clear, realistic strategies that support the whole woman — her physiology, her lifestyle, and her long-term health.
Care is structured around a simple, three-step framework:
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Step 1 // Investigate
We begin with a thorough assessment of your health history, current concerns, and goals. Where appropriate, this includes functional and general pathology to better understand hormonal patterns, metabolic function, and other key systems influencing your health.
This step provides clarity — replacing guesswork with informed direction.
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Step 2 // Integrate
Using the information gathered, I design a personalised plan that brings together targeted nutritional and herbal support with lifestyle strategies tailored to your individual body pattern — including how you respond to food, stress, movement, sleep, and seasonal change.
Plans are practical, clearly explained, and designed for real-life consistency.
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Step 3 // Restore
Together, we track progress, refine your plan as your body responds, and support steady movement toward long-term, sustainable health. Over time, you gain the knowledge, structure, and confidence to make informed decisions about your health — now and into the future.
This stage is not about restriction or perfection.
It’s about restoring strength, clarity, and resilience in a way that supports your body and fits your real life
Why Women Choose Urban Sense Wellness
Women don’t come to Urban Sense for quick fixes. They come for care that is considered, structured, and grounded in real understanding.
They value:
A professional environment where appointments are not rushed
A detailed and thoughtful assessment process
Clear explanations and a structured plan forward
The confidence that their concerns are taken seriously
Results that develop steadily and sustainably over time
Many of our clients stay with us for years. Some return after long gaps. Others refer the women they care about most — daughters, sisters, and close friends.
That level of trust isn’t built through flashy promises or marketing. It’s built through consistency, careful assessment, and thoughtful, personalised care.
Qualifications and Accreditations
You’re in experienced hands.
Bachelor of Health Science (Herbal and Nutritional Medicine)
Certification in Ayurvedic Medicine
Certified Menopause Lifestyle Practitioner
Practitioner Certification – A5M (Anti-Ageing Medicine)
GEMM Protocol Approved Practitioner (Gut Ecology and Metabolic Modulation)
Microba Certified Practitioner – Gut-Microbiome Testing
The SIBO Doctor Approved Practitioner
Diploma in Aromatherapy and Regenerative Skincare
Member of NHAA (National Herbalists Association Australia)
Member of ACNEM (Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine)
Member of IAC (International Association for Applied Corneotherapy)
Urban Sense also offers functional and pathology testing, and a curated dispensary of practitioner-grade products for client use.
From Skin to Hormones: A Whole-Body Philosophy
Before training as a Naturopath, I developed my own natural skincare line, working with plant-based actives and principles of aromatic medicine. That early work shaped how I understand skin — not as a cosmetic concern, but as a living organ that reflects internal health.
Today, this perspective is informed by advanced corneotherapy principles, which prioritise restoring and protecting the skin’s natural function rather than overstimulating or stripping it. Skin health is approached with the same respect as hormonal and metabolic health — by supporting structure, resilience, and recovery first.
My clinical skin consultations and treatments are fully integrated with naturopathic care. Skin is never treated in isolation, but assessed in the context of hormonal change, metabolic balance, digestion, inflammation, and overall physiological resilience.
The same systems that influence skin also influence hormones, energy, weight regulation, and gut function. When one area is disrupted, others are affected. Our work together reflects this connection — addressing the body as an integrated whole and supporting long-term health rather than short-term results.
Who I Work With
I work with women from their mid-30s onward who are navigating hormonal change and want clear, informed guidance — not trial and error.
This includes women:
In early or later stages of hormonal transition
Supporting long-term health after menopause
Experiencing metabolic shifts that affect weight, energy, or body composition
Noticing changes in digestion, skin function, sleep, or resilience
Who have seen other practitioners without getting clear answers
Who want to understand their body and take an active role in their health
Based in Preston, Victoria, I see clients both locally and Australia-wide through in-clinic and online consultations. This allows women across Melbourne, regional areas, and throughout Australia to access personalised, considered care — wherever they live.
Looking Ahead
Urban Sense Wellness is not built on trends. It is a long-standing clinic shaped by experience, trust, and meaningful outcomes.
As I continue practicing, my focus remains on supporting women through natural phases of change — often impacted by life demands, stress, and shifting expectations — with clear direction, structure, and practical guidance.
In the future, there is scope to expand into group education, women’s health workshops, and online wellness hubs. For now, my priority remains the same: delivering thoughtful, one-to-one care that has supported women for more than two decades — work that is considered, effective, and grounded in real clinical experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. We offer secure telehealth appointments for women across Australia. You’ll receive the same level of care, personalised plans, and support as our in-clinic patients. Supplements and products can be posted to you directly.
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Most clients begin with an initial consultation followed by regular check-ins every 3 to 6 weeks during the active treatment phase. While one-off appointments are available, consistent care leads to better outcomes and is strongly recommended in the first 3 to 6 months.
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That’s very common. Many women come to us after trying several approaches without success. Our goal is to investigate deeply, simplify your protocol, and build something that actually works for your unique body and stage of life.
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Yes. If you’re already seeing a GP, endocrinologist, gynaecologist or other specialist, we’re happy to collaborate where needed. Our aim is always to support you safely and comprehensively.
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If you're ready to move beyond general advice, tired of short-term fixes, and want personalised guidance from someone who listens, you're in the right place. Urban Sense is a good fit for women who are open to natural medicine, ready to commit to real change, and seeking a practitioner they can trust.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’re tired of second-guessing your health, feeling dismissed, or managing symptoms without clear direction, Urban Sense Wellness offers a structured, considered way forward.
You don’t need to work this out on your own. Together, we’ll clarify what’s happening in your body and take practical steps toward restoring energy, confidence, and long-term health.