Davina’s “Sex, Mind and the Menopause” in a nutshell
If you didn't manage to see Davina McCall's follow up programme on the menopause, "Sex, Mind and the Menopause" it's still available to be watch on All4 and here's the message highlights.
I've watched it so you don't have to (unless it spurs you on to have a gander). It’s a 5 minute read rather than an hour watch. I found the programme very good and more focused than the first one. However, it's VERY pro HRT. I mean, women do survive without taking it! But, there's some new info in there about how it can protect your brain, reduce your risk of Alzheimer's, as well as the missing jigsaw piece - testosterone.
The upshot is, there's no need to suffer. If you're having an awful time get yourself down the doc's. If you can feel like yourself again then you have the head space to consider exercise and nutrition to make even more positive decisions about your health.
Show notes:
Channel 4 commissioned their own survey:
500,000 women reduced their work hours because of menopause symptoms
Even though common symptoms of perimenopause are anxiety, low mood, and depression there's nothing on the NHS site about it.
Women are hiding what’s happening to them or scared their symptoms are a sign of something much worse - early onset dementia and some suffer heavy bleeding so bad they don’t want to move off their office chair.
84% said they had nobody to turn to at work
But, an American study shows it's deleterious to just suck it up and soldier on. There are 13m menopausal women in UK but no research here.
Dr Lisa Mosconi and Dr Roberta Brinton have made discoveries:
Brain energy level in peri drops on average 25%
Estrogen plays a crucial role in the female brain. Menopause is a renovation on the brain - restructuring and rewiring. Deleterious to long term health
Consistent exercise linked to better outcomes in menopause. Fewer hot flashes and milder symptoms
Use of HRT at TIME of symptoms in perimenopause (not post) protects the brain. If start HRT later it’s too late for the brain as it’s already undergone the changes and it’s no longer responsive to estrogen therapy
1 in 10 women quit their jobs due to menopause and a huge number were losing confidence and motivation at work
NHS should be offering the newer type of body identical HRT (Utrogestan) not the old combined one as it has lower risks of cancer, clots and stroke but it's a postcode lottery as to whether you'll be allowed it.
79% of women had never tried HRT. But of those who had, more than 50% said it had completely given them their lives back
Dr Paula Briggs, Chair Elect British Menopause Society, told how the old way of prescribing was to give HRT once a woman had gone through menopause (12 months after periods stopped) but now you should take it when in peri for the symptoms. However, GPs are still saying women can’t go on it because they haven't gone through menopause yet.
Many waited till marriage broke down or lost their job then tried it.
70% of those asked suffered with brain fog
Women’s bodies are very different from men’s. One thing in common though, testosterone. Often used to treat low sex drive in women. But British Menopause Society says it has many benefits: mood, cognitive function, metabolic function, urogenital health, muscle and bone strength.
61% had never heard of testosterone being used in HRT
Dr Zoe Hodson thinks it’s the missing piece. Women see a steady decline in testosterone. At 50 it's about half the level it was.
Miss the ability to feel pleasure, low libido, no energy.
Three women documented their experience. Improvements? Differences on it: mojo back, sharpness, focus, clarity, lift in mood
If levels are kept within female range then there's no danger of hair, testicles(!), etc.
HRT is safe, effective and life changing for most women. But what about women who’ve had breast cancer? It’s not advised. 55,000 women diagnosed with it every year. Other lifestyle factors can give a big improvement: movement, reducing weight, managing stress (which suppresses hormones) can improve their symptoms. Imperial College London have new non-hormonal medicine in trial. Available 2023.
Dry vagina? Prescription for vaginal estrogen - is safe after breast cancer. Tiny dose of estrogen directly into vagina. Plumps up the tissue.
Further research could save lives and billions for the NHS. Menopause is an amazing new beginning and women generally live at least 30 years after.
The American scientists established a link between losing hormones and the biggest cause of death in British women, Alzheimer's. Incidence in women is double that of men. Research recently published (which analysed medical insurance records) saw those taking HRT lowered the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
HRT reduces the risk of developing Alzhiemer's by 50-80%
Combined HRT in later life could increase dementia risk. But, if it's taken around peri/meno it protects the brain. Women on HRT had 50% reduction in risk of developing Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, MS and ALS. The longer a woman was on HRT the greater the reduction of risk.
Also evidence that exercise and a Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the risk.
Sharing what you go through with friends matters. The hwighest rate of suicide of women in the UK is 45-49. Menopause Warriors Scotland was formed by one of the women from her utter desperation and suicidal thoughts. So she started a group.
Make Menopause Matter - national conversation on streets and online.
Women are only asking for a decent quality of life. There's no need to suffer.
#davinamenopause #menopause #perimenopause #HRT #fitover40 #fitover50 #menopauseatwork #menopausesupport