This episode, will inform you, it may make you laugh or perhaps make you feel emotional as you realise you don’t have to suffer anymore but and above all we hope it empowers you to have the conversations with friends, colleagues and health specialists around something that will affect 51% of the population – menopause transition. No-one should suffer in silence – so lets change that narrative. In this episode, you will get answers to:
* why women need Testosterone and what symptoms you may have when it is deficient. It’s not the same as the symptoms for oestrogen or progesterone deficiency.
*we learn that Testosterone is not just about restoring your sex drive, it is also vital in our fat: muscle ratio and crucial in regulating our brain, energy and even our body shape.
* We learn about Dr Zoe’s own menopausal journey and how it has lit a fire in her to help other women t navigate their own journey’s
* We also talk about the pressures on GP’s to manage the influx of women wanting to be treated for menopause when why have not had the training or the funding from their CCG’s ( Clinical Commissioning Groups) to treat these patients
*Dr Zoe talks about her own struggles with declining hormones and how it lead to her taking agency for her own health. She also talks about helping those in groups who aren’t represented within menopause care and the importance of inclusion and diversity within the conversation.
* We talk about HRT being part of the solution but warn against it being seen as a cure all. We talk about the other key factors in this complex equation like stress management, sleep, mental health and exercise.
* We talk about some relatively unknown complications of low hormones – Lichen Sclerosus and Vaginal Atrophy and about normalising our conversations around vaginal health. Some great instagram accounts to follow about Lichen Sclerosus, vulva health and awareness accounts are : https://www.instagram.com/lichenscler…
https://www.instagram.com/visiblevulvas
*We do mention vaginas and vulva’s and tips for how you can ensure you know what yours looks like and how to examine yourself. A great book on the topic of Vagina’s is: Me and My Menopausal Vagina – living with vagina atrophy by Jane Lewis and you can learn more and order the book by taking a look at her website https://www.mymenopausalvagina.co.uk/
