Women experience menopause in the same way.

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Testosterone is the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle when it comes to HRT.

Links:

Testosterone. The Role of Testosterone and HRT : Menopause Matters 

and

 Testosterone… what you really need to know! - Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk | Acast

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HRT is expensive.

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You have to choose either a complementary therapy, or an alternative option or HRT.

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You can’t get pregnant if you’re taking HRT.

Link: Contraception for older women before menopause : Menopause Matters

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Everything is new with menopause, in particular HRT these days. It’s all changed.

Links:

27-WHC-FACTSHEET-HRT-Doses-NOV2022-A.pdf  

and

 The basics about HRT and much more. - Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk | Acast

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Menopause marks the end of a good sex life.

Link:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/sexual-wellbeing-intimacy-and-menopause

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You can only be on HRT for 5 years.

Link: Estrogens in Menopause - What is HRT : Menopause Matters

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Menopause only happens in your 50s.

Link: Menopause Symptoms - what happens and when : Menopause Matters

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HRT only delays the menopause.

Link: Vaginal dryness during menopause: Treatments: Menopause Matters

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HRT only delays the menopause.

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"All women find menopause affects their libido and sex drive for the worst."

Link: Sexual wellbeing, intimacy and menopause | NHS inform

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After listening to this episode you’ll realise why, at the start, we mentioned that the praises of these multitasking ‘ninjas’ are not sung nearly enough!

There’s so much going on behind the scenes, which many will be unaware of, from dispensing, supporting staff, checking prescriptions, managing orders flying in, to then coping with the ever-increasing walk-ins seeking advice and information.

Being easily accessible they can often be the first point of call resulting in a relentless juggling act trying to meet patient’s expectations alongside constantly trying to full fill their own.

We cover what should be your reasonable expectations from a local pharmacy taking into account the natural disparity between pharmacies across the country. Menopause - wise, (at time of recording), within NHS run pharmacies there are no renumerated Menopause services. You will, however, often find pharmacists going the extra mile to provide information and options for managing symptoms.

We clarify the difference between CPs & Practice Pharmacists. We revisit the ever-expanding minefield of the supplement industry and what about HRT reviews?

Listen to realise the knock on effects which pharmacies experienced nationally when there was a sudden surge in raised awareness and requests for HRT. Absolutely fantastic to raise awareness but unfortunately resulted in triggering an unprecedented reaction for those working on the frontline…maybe a small nod in the direction of a collaborative conversation wouldn’t go amiss in future!

By the end of this episode we hope you come away with a newfound respect for the role that CPs play as trusted health advisors and providers within our communities and a realisation that things like shortages of medications can be just as frustrating for them as for patients. As always an interesting listen and if you’re a CP seeking further training within the area of Women’s Health, we cover that too! Finally, listen out for our “nugget of knowledge”, with some important advice that is more relevant today than ever before!

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To help us make sense of everything we were delighted to be joined by Professor Anne MacGregor who specialises in headaches & migraines, alongside women’s health. During this episode Anne dispels myths and misinformation, breaks everything down into factual, relatable nuggets of information providing anyone listening with practical and logical ways to manage this symptom.

A perimenopausal headache is debilitating enough but a migraine is quite a different matter, leaving you feeling like you’ve been ‘run through a mangle’…has to be the quote of the series! If you’re postmenopausal don’t worry that’s covered too.

Did you know there’s more than one type? We cover migraines with aura, migraines without aura and then a migraine aura without a headache…I know, there’s a bit of a range. Being completely unpredictable, they can result in people not being able to function properly, can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and then there’s raised sensitivity to your bodies senses usually followed by feeling absolutely wiped out.

Anne and Heather clarify what’s happening to your hormone levels during the perimenopause – back to the hormonal storm going on, with wonky hormones, and spiking hormones creating havoc. Unsurprisingly migraines are roughly three times more common in women than men!

So, how do you cope with them…if you’re struggling with these symptoms this is really worth a listen.

Anne covers lifestyle factors, highlighting how the brain reacts to these whilst knocking a few myths on the head. Interestingly, did you know migraines are linked to gut dysfunction? Heather and Anne also clarify the facts about the pros and cons of using HRT or the combined contraception pill to help manage symptoms.

We touch on alternative, over the counter options and end with one of the most effective ways to manage this symptom…yes you’ll have to listen to find out!

As always please share the link of our podcast to friends, family and colleagues who you know might find the topics we cover not only relevant but interesting. Thank you.

Special Guest: Professor Anne MacGregor

Anne is a Specialist in Headache and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. She has a clinical NHS post at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, and an academic post in Neuroscience at Queen Mary, University of London. Her research and clinical work bridges neurology and reproductive healthcare and her Doctoral thesis explored the role of oestrogen in menstrual migraine. She has received the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Award, awarded to a woman whose work over time has made an extraordinary contribution to those affected by the burden of headache, the International Headache Society Special Recognition Award, and the 2022 American Headache Society Women’s Health Science Award.

Audio engineer & Assistant producer: Gregor Reid 

Useful links & resources:

• National Migraine Centre https://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/ 
• Migraine Trust https://migrainetrust.org/
• Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18-WHC-FACTSHEET-Migraine-and-HRT-NOV2023-B.pdf
• British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians
• Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk
• Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk
• NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

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There is, however, always room for improvement!

To help us discuss this important topic we’re delighted to have on as a guest Nic Elliot who wears two hats at Actons Solicitors as the HR director and as head of the employment law team. He interestingly had an overwhelming response to a post he put up on LinkedIn about the Menopause, opening up a place where numerous people felt comfortable to share their personal experiences, whether supporting partners & colleagues or experiencing the Menopause themselves.

This was a refreshingly open & honest conversation about the impact menopause can have on relationships, the strain it can cause, and how best to navigate what can often be a turbulent time for everyone.

Then there’s the additional challenges within the workplace, especially as a male manager. Suggestions as to what can help and should training on the menopause become mandatory? We also touch on the new Menopause Action Plans coming into play in 2026...all very interesting.

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Heather and Clare drill down into the nitty gritty. dispelling myths and misinformation along the way and give invaluable insight into a very misunderstood topic.

So, would you ever measure hormone levels? If so, is there a right time, what about age factors, what are they actually testing for, how accurate is it, what about absorption levels, are there target levels to aim for, how do you interpret a result, where do environmental factors & genetics come in, how best to avoid tachyphylaxis and what about prescribing HRT for bone health? I know, they cover a lot…we told you it was worth a listen! 

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When we hit those zzzs there’s a lot going on - a multitude of restorative processes…tissue growth & repair, brain recovery & rest, memory consolidation…an endless list.

Your job is to give your body chance to get that good night’s sleep.

Whether you’re struggling to maintain consistent sleep patterns or not this is a must listen. It’s incredibly interesting and informative with lots of practical tips & sleep hacks throughout. The key as always - you have to put a bit of effort in yourself!

Understanding the different stages of an average sleep cycle, the do’s & don’ts of catnapping, the myths around sleep and what the term social jetlag means will encourage so many of you to start prioritising what some refer to as, the elixir of life!

To help us discuss this important topic we were delighted to be joined by experienced GP & registered Menopause specialist Dr. Zoe Schaedel who specialises in sleep medicine.

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We invited Dr Barbara Phipps on to help us unpick what lifestyle medicine is all about. What are the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine which help support health & wellbeing…we discuss how they are all interconnected. It’s not a case of choosing one and discounting the others.

We discuss how making small steps with each of the pillars can be hugely important when going through the menopause, ones like nutrition and physical activity.

Tiny is mighty…incremental steps become sustainable and tend not to be overwhelming.

Listen to hear about Barbara’s ‘54321’ for helping to live in the moment and Heather’s advice of just giving your brain a rest.

Then there’s how socio-economic factors play a role, how CBT can be really helpful, what actually is the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and how to integrate lifestyle medicine into general practice…well worth a listen.

We’ve decided to switch it up a bit this series so, our Myth busting moments have now been replaced with Nuggets of Knowledge!

Dr Barbara Phipps is a GP who specialises in the care of people living with persistent pain. 

In 2019, Barbara developed an innovative programme for patients in Edinburgh experiencing chronic pain, which is now funded by NHS Lothian. Her approach integrates neuroscience, lifestyle medicine, and patient empowerment to help individuals better understand and manage their symptoms.

Alongside her clinical work, Barbara serves as Deputy Director of Year 5 at Edinburgh Medical School and teaches on the MSc in Clinical Management of Pain at the University of Edinburgh. she is a Fellow of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

https://painplusscotland.co.uk/

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Useful links & resources:

·       Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

·       British Menopause society: https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20-BMS-TfC-Menopause-in-ethnic-minority-women-JULY2023-B.pdf

·       Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

·       Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

·       NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

·       National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/recommendations

Dr Shashi Prasad is a GP, BMS accredited Advanced Menopause Specialist and Women’s Integrative & Functional Medicine Doctor. She is involved in raising menopause awareness in all ethnic communities to help equalise the disparity in menopause care. She has produced a toolkit for the British Menopause Society- “Menopause in Ethnic Minority” which has been published in “The Post reproductive Journal”.

She is a member of Royal College of General Practitioners, British Menopause Society, International Menopause Society and Institute of Functional Medicine.

She runs menopause clinics in New Malden, South West London & in Harley Street: https://www.drshashiprasad.com/

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Useful links and resources:

·       The Eve Appeal : www.eveappeal.org.uk

·       The Protector trial: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/fmd/research/protector/

·       Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

·       British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians

·       Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

·       Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

·      NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

Tracie Miles

Tracie’s nursing career over four decades has focused in the main on gynaecology , specifically oncology , with 28 years as a gynae - oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, complimented by a senior role in cancer genomics within the new NHS services.

Tracie is a member of various all party parliamentary committees, NICE specialist committees looking at women’s health, is a Cochrane reviewer and has published nationally/ internationally on gynae cancers and genomics.

Tracie is a senior lecturer at the University West of England, her passion for translating knowledge, advances in science into practice is satisfied in her role as Information Nurse Consultant to the Eve Appeal, the Gynaecology Cancer Research Charity.

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Useful links & resources:

Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians

Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

Jackie Lynch: https://www.well-well-well.co.uk/

The Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk Podcast is hosted by Dr Heather Currie MBE, founder of Menopause Matters & Ruth Devlin founder of Let’s Talk Menopause.

Heather is a gynaecologist with special interests in menopause, Premenstrual syndrome and cervical screening. She is a trustee and past chair of the British Menopause Society (BMS), Co-editor of post Reproductive Health, the journal of the BMS, Clinical advisor to Scottish government for the Women’s Health Plan for Scotland, and founder and MD of Menopause Matters, set up in 2001. Awarded MBE for services to healthcare in 2021.

Ruth is a retired nurse, an educator, a reflexologist & has training in cognitive behaviour therapy. She is the founder & MD of Let’s Talk Menopause, set up in 2012 & author of the book Men…Let’s Talk Menopause.

Jackie Lynch

Award-winning nutritionist, Jackie Lynch is the founder of the WellWellWell nutrition clinic, where she specialises in women’s health and the menopause.

She is the host of the popular diet & lifestyle podcast The Happy Menopause and is the author of several books including her latest book, The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish (Watkins, 2020)

Jackie’s nutrition clinic was recognised as Menopause Nutrition Clinic of the Year in the 2021 and 2022 London & South-East Prestige Awards.

Her advice features in a range of national media and she has appeared as a guest expert on radio and TV, including Channel 4’s Superfoods.

Jackie is past Chair of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition. She is a Fellow of the British Association for Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine and a Member of the British Menopause Society.

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Useful links & resources:

·       Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

·       British Menopause society: https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/08-BMS-TfC-Testosterone-replacement-in-menopause-DEC2022-A.pdf

·       Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

·       Digital MM magazine: https://menopausematters.pressreader.com/ (80th edition has additional information & interview with Prof Susan Davis)

·       Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

·       NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

·       National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/recommendations

·       https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/104/10/4660/5556103

·       https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/3476072/menopause-toolkit-update.pdf

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Useful links & resources:

·       Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

·       British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians

·       Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

·       Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

·       NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

·       Sally Earlam reflexology: https://sallyearlam.co.uk/

·       Association of Reflexologists: https://www.aor.org.uk/

Complementary and Natural Healthcare council: https://www.cnhc.org.uk/

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To help us start to navigate our way through this topic we’re delighted to welcome back onto the podcast Dr Becky McCormick who talks about the benefits of acupuncture and hypnotherapy…can they really help…what if you have a phobia about needles…how long have these therapies really been around…all very interesting!

·      Useful links & resources:

·      Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

·      British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians

·      Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

·      Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

·      NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

·      The British Medical Acupuncture Society: https://www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk/

·      National Hypnotherapy Society: https://nationalhypnotherapysociety.org/

·      Complementary and Natural Healthcare council: https://www.cnhc.org.uk/

The Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk Podcast is hosted by Dr Heather Currie MBE, founder of Menopause Matters & Ruth Devlin founder of Let’s Talk Menopause.

Heather is a gynaecologist with special interests in menopause, Premenstrual syndrome and cervical screening. She is a trustee and past chair of the British Menopause Society (BMS), Co-editor of post Reproductive Health, the journal of the BMS, Clinical advisor to Scottish government for the Women’s Health Plan for Scotland, and founder and MD of Menopause Matters, set up in 2001. Awarded MBE for services to healthcare in 2021.

Ruth is a retired nurse, an educator, a reflexologist & has training in cognitive behaviour therapy. She is the founder & MD of Let’s Talk Menopause, set up in 2012 & author of the book Men…Let’s Talk Menopause.

Becky is a GP, a Western Medical Acupuncturist, is a clinical hypnotherapist, has training in cognitive behaviour therapy and teaches advanced communication skills for healthcare professionals.

Assistant producer and audio engineer: Gregor Reid

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There are however some basics which everyone should be putting in place and to help guide us through this interesting topic we are delighted to welcome onto the podcast Neil Hudson-Basing.

We chat through the need for a comprehensive menopause policy, why co-production and collaborative is important, gaining that valuable feedback from your employees.

Having a structural approach to raising awareness and education, getting that kick start event in place which then starts to open up & normalise conversations. The need for putting in place follow up events using a range of formats to accommodate individual learning styles. What practical, reasonable adjustments can you facilitate for your staff which can make such a difference and provide genuine support.

Then there’s the topic of allyship – what does that really mean and so much more! Definitely worth a listen, some really useful insights and practical tips, especially if you’re a manager struggling to know where to start or wanting to gain a fresh look at your yearly plan moving forward. 

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We are delighted to welcome onto the podcast clinical nurse specialist Tracie Miles. We cover the key red flag symptoms to look out for, the need to regularly self check certain areas and the importance of getting to know your own normal.

We discuss the importance of cervical screening, more commonly known as cervical smears and why we need to increase the uptake of attending appointments, nationally. Likewise, we highlight the importance of getting the HPV vaccine whilst still at school – all genders.

We chat through what the barriers are for some people accessing these free preventative healthcare measures and what we can all do to raise awareness about the importance of getting a diagnosis as early as possible, which can massively improve survival rates.

We touch on risk reducing surgery, getting into the area of genomics and why some people can be more likely to develop cancer due to their genetics. A topic to discuss further in another episode, alongside the role of HRT following a diagnosis of cancer. 

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We chat through the importance of looking into and taking preventative measures from as early an age as possible, very much taking a holistic approach.

What are your bone cells actually up to as you move around day in, day out – there’s a lot going on! We explain the different terminology and why something like osteoporosis is classed as a silent disease.

What are the risk factors…ones that you can’t avoid and ones which you can do something about.

Then there’s the role estrogen plays and the role HRT can play. Lots of food for thought but essentially be aware of what we can all do for ourselves, take action and get that healthy lifestyle sorted.

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To help to explain everything we’re delighted to welcome onto the podcast Trudi Roscouet who explains brilliantly what it can feel like being neurodiverse whilst going through the menopause and how challenging it can be having that double whammy.

We chat about whether people really need to get a diagnosis, the fine line between establishing the cause of symptoms, how ADHD can exacerbate the menopausal symptoms and importantly an insight into ways to cope with symptoms.

It’s really interesting listening to Trudi as she breaks everything down into relatable, bite sized pieces of information, a fabulous insight.

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We chat through the preventative measures everyone can look into…general awareness of risk factors, the importance of lifestyle factors, movement & exercise as well as keeping a regular eye on your blood pressure. This is the time when a home kit is a good idea to regularly check your blood pressure.

We discuss the ‘hot potato topic’ of the link between menopause, HRT and heart disease - the role estrogen plays when it comes to heart health, alongside the benefits and risks of HRT if required.

A really interesting episode to listen to and relevant for everyone, regardless of age or gender.

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We’re delighted to welcome nutritionist, Jackie Lynch onto the podcast to talk us through everything in more details. We tackle the topic of those sugar spikes, not forgetting the importance of preventative healthcare when it comes to your heart and bone health.

A great topic to start series 3 with giving everyone practical options which can help individuals gain that sense of control back, alongside working towards getting a good quality of life long term. We also have our regular myth busting moment to keep you all on the straight and narrow…in other words combating any misinformation out there!

Jackie Lynch

Award-winning nutritionist, Jackie Lynch is the founder of the WellWellWell nutrition clinic, where she specialises in women’s health and the menopause.

She is the host of the popular diet & lifestyle podcast The Happy Menopause and is the author of several books including her latest book, The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish (Watkins, 2020)

Jackie’s nutrition clinic was recognised as Menopause Nutrition Clinic of the Year in the 2021 and 2022 London & South-East Prestige Awards.

Her advice features in a range of national media and she has appeared as a guest expert on radio and TV, including Channel 4’s Superfoods.

Jackie is past Chair of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition. She is a Fellow of the British Association for Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine and a Member of the British Menopause Society.

Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/WellWellWellUK

Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/wellwellwelluk/

The Happy Menopause podcast: https://www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast

The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish: https://amzn.to/397BhlA

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We thought it would be nice to end the year with a one off episode to help you keep on track over the festive period and to provide a brief summary of some relevant key messages, now the NICE guidelines have been updated. 

Don’t forget there are 2 series (6 episodes in each) already released, packed with an abundance of information for you to dip in and out of. Available on your usual podcast platform.

We would like to thank you all for listening and we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Useful links & resources:

Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org

Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

BMS : www.thebms.org.uk

NICE guidelines : www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23

Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

Menopause Matters;Let’s Talk podcast : https://shows.acast.com/menopause-matters-lets-talk

Jackie Lynch/Nutritionist : www.well-well-well.co.uk 

Squeezy app : www.squeezyapp.com : pelvic floor

Daisy Network : www.daisynetwork.org : Premature menopause/POI 

The Eve Appeal : www.eveappeal.org.uk : 5 gynae cancers

Endometriosis UK : www.endometriosis-uk.org

The Royal Osteoporosis Society : theros.org.uk

PCOS : www.womens-health-concern.org/shop-items/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/

PMS: www.pms.org.uk/

CBT self help guide : ‘Living Well Through The Menopause' & ‘Managing Hot flushes and Night sweats; A cognitive behavioural self-help guide to the Menopause’ by Myra Hunter and Melanie Smith: https://tinyurl.com/bde7f86k

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For those it does affect, whether at home or within the workplace, we’re delighted to say Dr Claire Macaulay has joined us again, this time with her other hat on as a sex and relationship therapist.

Even if you don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about this is definitely worth a listen!

Useful links & resources:

The Eve Appeal: https://eveappeal.org.uk

The Squeezy app: https://squeezyapp.com

Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians

Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

Pleasure Possibility : https://www.pleasurepossibility.com

LoveLab: https://bit.ly/RADICALCOUPLESTHERAPY

Claire is offering a 50% discount on a LoveLab Relationship Diagnostics Call The 50% discount code for our audience is - LOVELABGIFT

NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

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We talk about the relevance of blood tests and how to provide adequate support and treatment.

We chat about the importance of replacing estrogen, if possible, if you go into an earlier menopause and we tentatively start to chat about testosterone…to be continued! 

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Currently HRT is the first line treatment for menopausal symptoms but, there is no way of predicting how you as an individual might react to HRT before trying it and remember, we’re all different.

Why it’s important to have a check up 3 months after starting HRT - what side effects are normal to experience and what should you be concerned about.

We discuss the importance of not mucking around with well researched regimes and what do we actually mean by regimes… plus the importance of keeping it as simple as possible.

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CBT also works really well in combination with HRT.

Dr Becky Smithson joins us to give us an insight into how it all works alongside explaining the human stress response…

You will also learn that CBT isn’t just useful when going through the menopausal transition, it’s useful throughout life, for all genders.

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HRT is such a complex topic which, combined with people’s perception of risk, can all become very confusing and for some far too daunting to even consider…we run through further pros & cons.

Remember there’s a potential risk with any medication you chose to take…we continue to discuss the well researched benefits and risks of HRT…

There are many alternative options to manage menopausal symptoms if you do develop breast cancer, we chat through what can become a bit of a balancing act…

Is there a risk as an individual if you have a family history of breast cancer…and we’re delighted to be joined by our guest for this episode, Dr Claire Macaulay, an oncology doctor specialising in breast cancer who continues to simplify and explain the complexities around this topic.

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We talk about tweaking the type, dose and route… taking an individualised approach and what is the ‘window of opportunity’.

We run through the benefits and risks, touching on why you might not want to take HRT, for varying reasons.

Then there’s the ever-confusing medical terminology - what do we mean by bio-identical hormones and body identical hormones.

We’re delighted to be joined by our guest for this episode, Dr Becky Smithson, who gives us an insight into a GPs perspective.

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We completely understand that it can be very embarrassing going and talking about these symptoms but there is so much help you can get alongside things you can do yourself so please don’t hesitate to seek out professional help & get referred to a pelvic health specialist/ physiotherapist if needed.

We talk through all the symptoms you could experience, why you’re experiencing them in the first place and what are the options available to manage & cope with these symptoms.

We’re delighted to be joined by Myra Robson, a pelvic health specialist/ physiotherapist and founder of the Squeezy App, who gives us an insight into her vast experience in this area bringing up the even more challenging topic to talk about…faecal/anal incontinence. 

We hope you understand after listening to this episode that you are very much not alone in experiencing these symptoms. There is, as always, a huge difference in everyone’s experience, they are extremely common and are some of those long term symptoms so unless you tackle them they’re not going to go away.

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We go through a quick recap about your basic anatomy…this can often be a tad hazy for a few folk and then straight into the nitty gritty of all the potential symptoms you could experience. 

As always lots of options to look into to help manage and cope with these symptoms. We talk about moisturisers, lubricants, and of course vaginal estrogen, as well as giving some top tips around basic hygiene. 

How do you start to have that conversation about these symptoms and what about prolapses & lichen sclerosus.

Fear not, we haven’t forgotten something, the next episode follows on with the urinary side of matters.

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It can be challenging for some people to identify the cause of these symptoms, as it’s not always related to hormones - there can be many contributory factors.

We discuss the range of options which can help to manage these symptoms. 

Is it right to take antidepressants, should you take HRT, is a combination acceptable? 

We go through alternative options for you to consider, either on their own or in combination with the above, but remember taking an individualised approach is always important. 

We also continue the conversation about HRT.

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We chat about the importance of preventative measures to take alongside the options available to cope with these symptoms.

Do we all need to take Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)… we start the conversation on this important topic and it’s only episode 3… to be continued!

What exercise is best and what’s all the fuss about magnesium?

There are a couple of bugbears along the way… there will definitely be more… and as always we ask that you share this information with your family, friends and colleagues of all ages. 

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We discuss why you can experience them in the first place, what options are available for you to help manage these symptoms, including what you can do yourselves to gain a better quality of life. 

Alas, there is no magic cure for any of these symptoms but there are definitely ways you can help to reduce the intensity & frequency of them.

There is our regular ‘Myth busting moment’ and…who would you call an expert?!

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In this introductory episode we chat through some of the basics about the menopause. Why there is such a range of symptoms & why we all have such differing experiences. We discuss diagnosis & blood tests and we touch on the variety of different symptoms associated with the menopause - which will be discussed in further episodes, alongside the many options available to cope with symptoms.

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