Podcast Summary
Women's health takes a back seat during perimenopause and menopause years: Despite personal challenges, it's crucial for women to prioritize their health during perimenopause and menopause years, seeking individualized care to maintain wellbeing.
Women's health, particularly during the perimenopause and menopause years, often takes a back seat due to various responsibilities and caring for loved ones. This was highlighted in a moving conversation between Dr. Louise Newson and Tobo, a mother of two who experienced the devastating effects of oxygen deprivation during her oldest daughter's birth, resulting in severe brain damage. Despite her daughter's numerous health challenges, including quadriplegic cerebral palsy, severe learning delays, non-verbal communication, non-mobility, feeding tube dependency, and complex epilepsy, Tobo continues to share her story to inspire and raise awareness about the importance of focusing on one's own health amidst life's challenges. This conversation underscores the need for women to prioritize their wellbeing and seek individualized care during the perimenopause and menopause years.
Caring for a loved one impacts caregiver's health during menopause: Recognize the importance of self-care and seek support to maintain health during caregiving and menopause
Caring for a loved one, whether it's a child with special needs or anyone going through a challenging time, can make it difficult for individuals to prioritize their own well-being, including their physical and emotional health during perimenopause and menopause. The speaker shared her personal experience of neglecting her own needs during a difficult period in her life, which led to burnout, anxiety, and other symptoms common to both caregiving and menopause. It's crucial for caregivers to recognize the importance of self-care and seek support when needed to maintain their overall health and well-being.
Irritability during perimenopause: A red flag for underlying hormonal changes: Recognizing and addressing irritability as a potential symptom of perimenopause can help reduce suffering. Doctors should ask the right questions to diagnose hormonal changes, which can be easily misdiagnosed as depression or anxiety.
Irritability during perimenopause can be a red flag for underlying hormonal changes, and it's essential to address these symptoms before they worsen. The woman in this discussion shares her experience of feeling overwhelmed and irritable due to the demands of caring for a child with special needs and working long hours. She believed her irritability was justified, but it wasn't until a bottle of vinegar accident that she realized she needed help. She booked an appointment with her GP and was diagnosed with perimenopause and started on HRT. She emphasizes the importance of doctors asking the right questions to diagnose hormonal changes, which can be easily misdiagnosed as depression or anxiety. The woman expresses her gratitude for her GP surgery having women's health specialists and encourages women to seek help early to reduce suffering. She wishes she could go back in time as a GP to ask women about hormonal symptoms and potential hormonal causes. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing irritability as a potential symptom of perimenopause and the significance of asking the right questions to diagnose hormonal changes.
Women need to discuss menopause symptoms with healthcare providers: Women in perimenopause or menopause should openly discuss symptoms with healthcare providers to find effective treatments and improve quality of life.
Women, especially those in perimenopause or menopause, need to be proactive in discussing their symptoms with their healthcare providers. The speaker shared her experience of experiencing night sweats and other symptoms, but initially not recognizing them as potential menopause-related due to the stigma surrounding the topic. She was fortunate to attend a presentation by a menopause specialist through a local charity, which helped her understand the possible connection. The speaker tried various forms of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and found that patches worked best for her, but she eventually needed to increase her dosage to manage her symptoms. The process of finding the right treatment took time and experimentation, but ultimately made a significant difference in her quality of life. It's important for women to join the dots and bring up their symptoms with their healthcare providers, as these conversations can lead to effective treatment and improved well-being.
Menopause's far-reaching consequences: Menopause affects families and loved ones, causing memory loss, difficulties in caring for dependents, and potential harm to children if evidence-based treatments are inaccessible. Historical misogyny towards women's health compounds the issue, and menopause can contribute to domestic abuse, often unintentionally.
The impact of menopause extends beyond the workplace and affects the lives of families and loved ones. Women suffering from menopause may struggle with memory loss and other symptoms, which can lead to difficulties in caring for their dependents. This issue is compounded when these women are unable to access evidence-based treatments, leading to further stress and potential harm to innocent parties, especially children. The historical misogyny towards women's health and refusal of transformational treatments adds to the injustice. It is crucial to recognize the far-reaching consequences of menopause and advocate for equitable access to effective treatments. Additionally, the emotional and physical toll of menopause can contribute to domestic abuse, often in the form of emotional abuse, which can be unintentional and lead to self-blame and internalized feelings of inadequacy.
Managing Menopause Fatigue as a Parent: Menopause fatigue is different from regular tiredness and can significantly impact a parent's ability to care for their family. Hormone replacement therapy can help improve energy levels and overall quality of life.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals experiencing perimenopause and menopause, benefiting not only themselves but also their families. The fatigue associated with this stage of life can be all-consuming and unpredictable, making it particularly challenging for parents, especially those with complex needs children. This exhaustion is not the same as regular tiredness and cannot be easily remedied with rest or caffeine. The speaker shares her personal experience of struggling to keep up with the demands of parenting due to this debilitating fatigue, which was compounded by the needs of her child with complex medical needs. The lack of consistent sleep further exacerbated her situation. Despite these challenges, the speaker emphasizes the importance of pushing through and remaining the most capable person for her family during these trying times. HRT has been instrumental in helping her regain some energy and stability, allowing her to better care for herself and her children.
Navigating menopause and additional responsibilities: Seek support, normalize treatment, understand unique experiences, prioritize self-care, and educate yourself about menopause's impact on life.
Managing menopause, especially for those with additional responsibilities and dependents, can be a challenging experience. The speaker shares her personal experience of navigating seizures and menopause, emphasizing the importance of support and normalizing treatment. She also highlights the unpredictability and demands of caring for a child with disabilities, and the need for self-care and education. The speaker encourages understanding the unique experiences of individuals, as symptoms can overlap with other conditions. Ultimately, she encourages open conversations and education about menopause and its impact on all aspects of life.
Misdiagnoses and lack of appropriate treatment during menopause for women with disabilities: Healthcare professionals need to acknowledge their limitations, consult colleagues, and provide accurate information about available treatments for women with disabilities during menopause to ensure effective care. Raising awareness and education is crucial to recognize early symptoms and provide appropriate care.
During menopause and perimenopause, many women with physical disabilities, including cerebral palsy, face misdiagnoses and a lack of appropriate treatment options due to misunderstanding of hormonal effects on their conditions. Doctors may unintentionally misdiagnose or provide incorrect information, leading to frustration and lack of effective care. It's crucial for healthcare professionals to acknowledge their limitations, consult with colleagues, and provide accurate information about available treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy with natural body identical hormones, to ensure the best possible care for these patients. Additionally, it's essential to recognize that women with disabilities may experience menopause at younger ages and may not recognize hormonal symptoms, making it crucial to raise awareness and educate both medical professionals and the public about the complex relationship between hormones and various disabilities.
Hormones like progesterone and estrogen impact brain development and function: Hormones play vital roles in brain health, benefiting normal and impaired brains. Research is lacking due to underfunding. Prioritize self-care during perimenopause and menopause, focusing on mental health and seeking help from healthcare providers.
Hormones like progesterone and estrogen, which are often associated with women's reproductive health, also play crucial roles in brain development and function. These hormones have the potential to benefit people with normal brain function as well as those with conditions like cerebral palsy. However, research in this area is lacking due to the lack of prioritization and funding. Another key takeaway is the importance of self-care, especially during perimenopause and menopause. People should learn to ask for and accept help from others and prioritize their mental health. Simple acts of gratitude and focusing on the positive can make a big difference in managing the challenges of these stages of life. Lastly, if you or someone you know is experiencing health issues, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. Be specific about your concerns and ask for a specialist if needed. Remember, taking care of yourself is essential, and you don't have to face these challenges alone.
Focusing on the positive and letting negativity roll off: Train yourself to look for good experiences and visualize deflecting negativity to prevent being overwhelmed and improve care for others.
Focusing on the positive and letting negativity roll off is an effective way to manage stress and better care for others. The speaker shares how they have trained themselves to look for good and positive experiences, even in small moments, and to visualize having a Teflon jacket or armor to deflect negativity. This approach helps prevent being overwhelmed by negativity and wallowing in self-pity, which is not the best for oneself or those being cared for. It's been an enlightening and emotional discussion, and for more information about Newson Health Group and their free balance app, visit their website at www.newsonhealth.co.uk.