Real Menopause Talk

Carolyn Harris is Menopause Royalty. As an MP she has orchestrated dramatic and ongoing change for the way Menopause is treated in the UK. HRT is already free in Wales and Scotland and a reduction in HRT prescription costs will come in for England in the near future. Undergoing her own Perimenopause was not simple. She was going through deepest grieving after the sudden loss of her son, Martin, working full time and running a home. She had been advising other women about Menopause but had not connected the dots for herself and put all her symptoms down to grief. In her current work as a Member of Parliament she is chair of the APPG and The Menopause Task Force making the difference in the workplace and in all realms of life for women globally, "We will change this". There is so much more to say but it is better to hear it from Carolyn herself so download her Episode to hear how to, "Keep Women Wonderful." Keep up to date on @carolynharrismp and at https://carolynharris.org.uk

Lavinia Winch knows what she is talking about and you instinctively feel you are in safe hands with her. She is happily married, a mother of three adult children, a grandmother and going to celebrate her 70th birthday this year. When Viagra came on to the market, did anyone ever think how it might impact Menopausal women? Lavinia will tell you. She explains here, the difference between vaginal moisturiser and lubricant as well as how to use them effectively. In her current work as an Ambassador for Yes Organics (there are only 2, so she's pretty rare!) she has attended more than 200 Menopause Conferences. She also has her personal experience of Menopause followed by a Radical Hysterectomy at the age of 62 when she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. She is kind, empathetic and deeply knowledgable. If you are holding an event or workshop, especially for those post cancer, she is a wonderful speaker. You can find Yes Organics and Ah!Yes https://yesyesyes.org for the UK https://ahyes.org for the US and @yes_organics on IG for UK and @ahyesorganics on IG for US You can also reach Lavinia directly on lavinia@yesyesyes.org

Katrine has travelled and worked as an osteopath and manual therapist all over the world, starting life in Canada and finally settling in London in the UK. As we know, reducing our stress is key to living a healthier, happier life. One of Katrine's super powers is teaching Intelligent Stress Management - simple, practical, scientifically proven techniques that can be done anywhere. I've tried it - it works! By reducing stress, you are reducing inflammation and can do this just by putting yourself in a more positive space. This calms anxiety, reduces brain fog and hot flashes. In finding this time of Menopause a time of joy and peace, Katrine is full of positivity and wants us all to be able to live life with joy. Join her FREE event every last Wednesday of the month to discover some of this practical magic (it is wonderful and in 35 minutes you can learn a lot!): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weaddheart-london-mayfairmarylebone-online-tickets-253262965347 You can find Katrine on her website: https://kcmt.co.uk and on Instagram as @katrinecakuls

Dominique is a mother to two boys and Founder of Periwink. She has has a longterm preoccupation with longevity and health and started biohacking before it became a "thing".She started lifting in her forties and won state and national records. Clearly already living a healthy lifestyle, her "Peri-slam" was just that, a total slam and when a vulture set up shop in her backyard, she knew she had to take action. From her Peri-slam, Dominique created Periwink: a series of lifestyle, health and movement programmes designed to support the Peri to Post Menopausal transition. She brings women together to train, cook and support one another and, above all, be part of a solid community. You can find her short 5 days courses, 9 week programmes and so much more at: https://periwink.me and on Instagram as @periwink.me

Elizabeth Joseph has declared herself a Menopause Guinea Pig. I n an attempt to combat her debilitating Perimenopause symptoms, she was willing to give anything a go. And now… you name it, she's tried it from taping and tapping to fart pants and hormone yoga. If she hasn't discovered it yet, it may not even exist. She has been so open and brutally honest about her entire experience of Perimenopause that she has connected with thousands of women who feel just like she does. Emerging as 'a great big chuffing butterfly' from seismic wobbles, she is living proof that this is the time in our lives we get to have some fun and reinvent ourselves. She makes us laugh, inspires and keeps it real. Find her accounts and reports on @elizabethjosephnavigating

Dr Terry specialises in hormonal acne, aesthetic treatments and hormonal balance, especially for Perimenopause and Menopause. She has an impressive list of highly respected medical credentials and is a working mother who understands the pressures and stresses of modern day life. She shares her experience of Perimenopause, what she does to take care of herself and maintain optimum health. She is a fierce believer that you should do what you need to do to make yourself happy, without fear of judgement and to, "Eat Well, Rest Well, Love Well." You can find Dr Terry at: https://drterryloong.com and @dr_terry_

Louise is a full time TCM Practitioner and mother based in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Her passion is endometriosis and she treats many, many women for fertility. As she grows with her patients and enters Perimenopause herself, she is seeing more evidence of this in her clinic. Insomnia is the symptom that she battles with the most at the moment but she sees it regularly in clinic as well. The trouble with Perimenopause is that there are often fewer physical symptoms and more emotional and mental ones that take their toll. The often dismissed lack of joy, for example but this can be huge, "I want some joy back", she says. For this reason, she urges us to talk to our partners and others so that they can better understand and support. She is happy to see changes in perception of Menopause beginning to happen: "It's women changing the narrative now." You can find Louise at: https://louisecollyeracupuncture.co.uk

Rhiannon runs her own divorce consultancy. Previously a family law solicitor, she now provides practical help and emotional support to people struggling with divorce or separation. In this episode, we cover A LOT. Not only is Rhiannon's Perimenopause story fascinating but her relationship perspective and advice is gold. A couple of years ago, Rhiannon underwent a hysterectomy, keeping her ovaries. Post operation, she was left with no support other than how to manage after any surgery. It wasn't until she broke both her ankles and had a bone density scan, that someone recommended HRT. Perimenopause hadn't been something she talked about much but as she opens up more, her friends are beginning to do the same. Professionally, she has noticed divorce 'symptoms' and Perimenopause symptoms have much in common which can be something to consider before making any big relationship decisions. If you are having relationship challenges, or know someone who is, you will want to hear every word Rhiannon has to say and keep her right by your side. You can find Rhiannon at: https://rhiannonford.co.uk @thedivorcenavigator

Susan is a Dyslexia Tutor , mother of three grown-up children (aged 17 - 24) and a Specialist Menopause Yoga Teacher. She is some years Post Menopause and shares her retrospective experience of Peri all the way through to Post Menopause and reflects on what she may have done differently with the knowledge she has today. We have come a long way from women 'having a turn' and being sent to a sanatorium but we are still at the tip of the iceberg. She says of midlife, "It's great! The future looks good. We have so much life to live" You can reach Susan at: susanbowman09@sky.com

Lucy Goff lives London with her husband, daughter and dog. She is not phased by Perimenopause because she knows she has a way through. In this episode she explains that she never envisaged setting up her own company but her own illness lead her down a route to healing that was so powerful that she decided to bring the solution to genuine wellbeing to market. She says of midlife, "It's the first time in your life when you start to take a real look at what's working and what's not." This ethos of products that disrupt broken markets and show us what really works is what drives her to new creations. You can find Lyma at https://lyma.life