Menopause Matters - Let’s Talk

Do menopausal symptoms have an impact on relationships, and do our relationships affect our views on and use of HRT …well, we’re all different, but for some people if can really have a significant impact. 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.ukThe Squeezy app: https://squeezyapp.comWomen’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheetsBritish Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-cliniciansMenopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.ukLet’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.ukPleasure Possibility : https://www.pleasurepossibility.comLoveLab: https://bit.ly/RADICALCOUPLESTHERAPYClaire is offering a 50% discount on a LoveLab Relationship Diagnostics Call The 50% discount code for our audience is - LOVELABGIFTNHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

No one is too young to be menopausal. Sadly this statement is true with a significant percentage of people falling into the POI bracket which means they will be under 40 years old and then a further group of people falling into the early menopause bracket which is between the ages of 40 and 45 years.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! 

CBT is a fabulous option to consider if HRT isn’t a viable option; either you can’t take it, don’t want to take it or it just doesn’t suit you. 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.

HRT and the risk of hormone dependent cancers like breast cancer.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.

We’ve decided to take the bull by the horns and tackle the huge topic of HRT. In this episode we discuss which hormones we’re actually talking about that tend to flip about and go all wonky.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.

What a huge impact these symptoms can have on your quality of life yet, remarkably, they remain some of the most under reported & under treated ones.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.

These are some of the most under reported, under treated symptoms and fall into the category of your longterm symptoms, although we realise that for some of you the others you might be experiencing can often feel like long term ones as well! 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.

Thankfully there has been increased awareness about these symptoms in relation to the Menopause in recent years. They are incredibly common and can be some of the most debilitating symptoms that people will experience…but don’t forget, not everyone will experience these symptoms.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.