Dr Louise Newson, a GP and Menopause specialist, discusses the importance of understanding menopause and the challenges women face. She shares personal experiences with menopausal symptoms, highlights the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, and advocates for better menopause care for all women. The podcast sheds light on misconceptions about menopause, the significance of estrogen in brain function, and the need for proactive symptom management and support during this natural transition.
Menopause affects various aspects of health beyond fertility, including heart, brain, and bone health.
Misconceptions about HRT causing breast cancer have been refuted, highlighting its multiple health benefits.
Early awareness of menopause and treatment options empowers women and facilitates proactive management strategies.
Deep dives
Understanding Menopause and Hormones
Menopause, a natural part of life affecting 51% of the population, involves hormone level declines impacting various aspects of health. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone regulate periods and offer much beyond fertility, influencing heart, brain, and bone health. The perimenopause period preceding menopause sees fluctuating hormone levels causing symptoms like memory issues, fatigue, anxiety, and sleep problems. HRT, as a treatment, helps alleviate symptoms and reduce long-term health risks associated with low hormone levels.
Challenging Misconceptions and Fears around HRT
Historical misconceptions and a 2000 study on HRT causing breast cancer fueled fears and limited HRT use. However, further research refuted the breast cancer link and highlighted multiple health benefits of HRT. New forms of HRT, like estrogen patches and gels, offer safer and more effective options, addressing symptoms and reducing risks of heart disease, osteoporosis, and other conditions.
Empowering Women with Early Recognition and Treatment
Empowering women with early menopause awareness and treatment options is crucial. Timely HRT initiation can provide symptom relief and mitigate health risks associated with long-term hormone decline. Encouraging dialogue within relationships and educating partners, peers, and healthcare providers on menopause and HRT benefits can facilitate better support and proactive management strategies.
Promoting Mental Health and Wellness during Menopause
Addressing mental health during menopause is vital as 98% of women in clinics report psychological symptoms. Suicidal thoughts, low mood, anxiety, and reduced self-esteem are common experiences, often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Prioritizing mental health in menopausal care, understanding the hormonal brain-body connection, and advocating for comprehensive support and treatment are crucial for women's well-being.
Importance of Being Informed About HRT and Symptoms
Patients who are proactive and well-informed about their symptoms and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have more productive consultations with their doctors. By discussing symptoms and expressing a desire to explore HRT, patients empower themselves and foster better communication with healthcare providers. Properly addressing symptoms related to mental health, such as anxiety during the perimenopause, requires distinguishing between different causes, including menopausal-related anxiety and external stressors. Misdiagnoses and overprescription of antidepressants can occur when menopausal symptoms are not considered, highlighting the need for informed discussions and appropriate treatment approaches.
Challenges and Considerations in HRT for Women with Cancer
Women who have had cancer may face challenges in accessing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) due to concerns about its impact on cancer recurrence. Understanding the complexities of HRT after cancer treatment, especially for breast cancer survivors, involves weighing individual risks and benefits. While some cancers may not respond to hormones and can safely consider HRT, the lack of robust studies poses uncertainties, leading to individualized decision-making. Access to specialized healthcare professionals who comprehensively assess risks and benefits is crucial for post-cancer women considering HRT to manage menopausal symptoms effectively.
Menopause, or THE Menopause according to our guest lecturer Dr Louise Newson, affects every woman at some point in her life. That’s 51% of the entire world! And even if you’re not a woman, chances are you know a few of them.
Either way, the menopause IS coming. And you better be ready.
Dr Louise Newson is a GP and Menopause specialist who is campaigning for better menopause care for all women. But despite her specialisation and regular lecturing on the subject, even she didn’t pick up on the signs when her own menopause kicked in and convinced her she hated her own husband! This episode isn’t just everything you need to know about your own menopause, this is everything you need to know about your wife’s/mother’s/daughter’s/sister’s/friend’s/colleague’s menopause.
To learn more about Louise, her work and to access more information on the menopause and peri-menopause, follow this link: https://bit.ly/49rgqJH
For Australian support, information & research, visit the below websites:
WellFemme is a Telehealth menopause clinic, providing evidence-based menopause information and treatment in collaboration with your GP: https://bit.ly/3FYcAdn
Menopause Friendly provides information and practical resources to support staff experiencing menopausal symptoms at work and helps managers and HR professionals understand how they can provide the right support to their workforce: https://bit.ly/49rgx85
VITAL is an innovative research project that women can take part in to map the experience of Australian women around peri/menopause. It operates as a registry that collects data via a questionnaire. This data could determine how best to support the population and the research is run by Assoc Prof Erin Morton at Flinders University: https://bit.ly/3QQydTl
The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see your doctor, a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.
