Podcast Summary
Menopause and women's concerns: Women's experiences and concerns during menopause, especially depression and anxiety, are often not taken seriously enough by healthcare professionals. It's important for women to be heard and believed, and to advocate for individualized care.
Women's experiences and concerns, especially during menopause, are often not taken seriously enough by healthcare professionals. Andrea Newton, a guest on Dr. Louise Newson's podcast, shared her personal story of going through a difficult divorce and struggling with depression and anxiety, which she was told was not related to menopause despite her symptoms. This experience underscores the importance of women being heard and believed when they report their symptoms and concerns. It also highlights the need for individualized care and consideration of the unique challenges women face during menopause. Dr. Newson, a menopause specialist and founder of the Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre, emphasized the importance of having a supportive network and advocating for oneself when seeking medical help. The podcast, brought to you by the Newson Health Group, aims to provide accurate information and resources for women navigating menopause.
Menopause and mental health: Recognizing and addressing hormonal changes during menopause is crucial for early intervention and support, preventing feelings of isolation, powerlessness, and hopelessness.
During the menopause, when hormone levels change and eventually drop, it's essential to recognize and address the resulting mental and emotional changes. Louise's experience highlights the frustration and hopelessness that can arise when these changes are dismissed or misunderstood, potentially leading to severe consequences. The feeling of powerlessness and being unheard can exacerbate the situation. Acknowledging the hormonal impact on mood, anxiety, and mental state is crucial for early intervention and support. The average age of menopause in the UK is 51, and the perimenopause, when hormones start changing, typically occurs in a woman's 40s. A survey of nearly 6,000 women revealed that 96% experienced psychological symptoms, 84% had anxiety, and 79% felt overwhelmed. Despite this, many women were offered or given antidepressants instead of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Recognizing and addressing the hormonal causes of these symptoms can prevent feelings of isolation, powerlessness, and hopelessness.
Hormones and mental health: Hormonal imbalances, particularly during menopause, can lead to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. Antidepressants and hormone replacement therapy can be effective when used together.
Hormones, particularly estrogen and testosterone, play a crucial role in mental health and brain function. Women who experience hormonal imbalances, especially during menopause, may be at risk for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. Antidepressants can be effective, but they work best when used in conjunction with hormone replacement therapy. Hormones also impact neurotransmitters like dopamine, which affects feelings of joy and motivation. Low hormone levels can lead to an imbalance of stress hormones, further exacerbating mental health issues. The historical treatment of women's mental health, including the use of benzodiazepines and lobotomies, highlights the importance of addressing the role of hormones in mental health. Without proper hormonal support, it can be challenging for individuals to improve their mental health through other means like therapy or social support. It's crucial that healthcare professionals receive adequate training in perimenopause and menopause symptoms to better support patients.
Effective communication: Healthcare professionals and patients must communicate effectively to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. GPs should acknowledge their limitations and share uncertainty with patients, while patients should advocate for themselves and seek additional resources when necessary.
Effective communication and understanding between patients and healthcare professionals are crucial in ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. The discussion highlights the experience of a woman who felt misunderstood by her GP regarding her symptoms, leading her to seek private consultation and ultimately receive a correct diagnosis for menopause. The GP's limited knowledge and experience in dealing with the complex interplay of two normal human conditions left him uncertain and unable to provide adequate support. This situation underscores the importance of healthcare professionals acknowledging their limitations and sharing uncertainty with patients, as well as the value of patients advocating for themselves and seeking additional resources when necessary. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, healthcare professionals and patients can work together to navigate the complexities of health and wellness.
Menopause Education: Empowering women with education and resources can help them advocate for their health and reduce the risk of diseases associated with menopause through hormone replacement therapy.
While GPs are expected to have knowledge about various health conditions, they don't always have all the answers, especially when it comes to menopause. Menopause is a natural stage that increases the risk of various diseases, including heart disease, and treating it with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can reduce this risk. Yet, many women are not being offered HRT as a first line of treatment. Empowering women with education and easy access to information and resources can help them advocate for their health and improve their overall wellbeing. The speaker, Louise Newson, emphasizes the importance of education and encourages women to take charge of their menopause journey by being informed and open with their healthcare providers. She also shares her own experience and her work in menopause education, coaching, and suicide intervention.
Menopause and Suicide Risk: Menopause can increase suicide risk, particularly for women aged 45-49, coinciding with the peak divorce rate. Hormonal imbalances during menopause, including testosterone deficiency, can significantly improve mental health and mood. Breaking the silence and stigma surrounding menopause is crucial for women to seek help and create a supportive environment.
Menopause can have a profound impact on mental health, leading to increased suicide risk. Women in the age group of 45-49, which coincides with the peak divorce rate, have the highest number of suicide deaths in the UK. The speaker, a menopause expert, emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence and stigma surrounding menopause, encouraging society to be better informed and supportive. Her personal experience of not receiving adequate support from her GP led her on a mission to raise awareness. Hormonal imbalances during menopause, including testosterone deficiency, can significantly improve mental health and mood. The speaker shares a success story of a woman whose life was transformed after receiving testosterone therapy. Small improvements in mood and energy levels can make a big difference, but the stigma surrounding menopause often prevents women from seeking help. The speaker emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where women feel comfortable discussing their symptoms and seeking treatment.
Hormonal imbalances and mental health: Hormonal imbalances impact women's mental health significantly, and organizations should create a supportive environment for addressing these issues to prevent lost productivity and talent drain
Hormonal imbalances, often associated with menopause but also applicable to PMS and postnatal depression, can significantly impact women's mental health and should be recognized and addressed as a legitimate health concern. The conversation around hormones needs to change, as they are not just responsible for irritability or sadness, but biologically active substances with crucial effects on our bodies. Organizations have a role to play in creating a supportive environment for women dealing with hormonal issues, offering appropriate treatment and understanding, rather than dismissing it as a trivial matter or a box to be ticked. Failure to address these issues can lead to detrimental consequences, including lost productivity, tribunals, and talent drain. It's crucial to listen, understand, and treat hormonal issues as seriously as we would any other health concern.
Menopause Impact on Health: Menopause impacts mental, cardiac, and digestive health beyond hot flashes and mood swings. Employers can create menopause-friendly workplaces, and we all need to challenge stereotypes and start uncomfortable conversations about health.
It's essential for individuals, particularly women, to educate themselves about menopause and its impact on various aspects of health. Menopause is not just about hot flashes and mood swings, but also affects mental health, cardiac health, and digestive health. Moreover, it's crucial to challenge stereotypes and broaden the conversation about menopause to the wider audience. Employers can also play a role by creating menopause-friendly workplaces, retaining talent, and avoiding tribunals. Lastly, we all need to be more proactive in starting uncomfortable conversations about health issues like menopause, mental health, and suicide risk, as we cannot always see what's going on beneath the surface. By reaching out and engaging in open dialogues, we can help people get the support they need. Newson Health Group is an excellent resource for further information and education on menopause and related topics. Their free balance app is available on the App Store and Google Play.