Podcast Summary
Understanding and supporting women during menopause: Menopausal women deserve flexibility and support in the workplace and beyond, with proper resources and understanding to help them thrive.
Women in the workforce want to be treated normally during menopause and have the opportunity to thrive. Carolyn Harris, a Labour MP and menopause advocate, emphasizes the importance of understanding menopause and its consequences in all areas of life, including legislation. She is a vocal advocate for menopausal women's rights and has taken up the issue of HRT shortages in the UK government. Menopausal women deserve flexibility and support in the workplace and beyond. Harris's personal experience of menopause, which she initially mistook for a nervous breakdown, highlights the importance of addressing the taboo surrounding menopause and providing proper resources and understanding.
Recognizing Menopause Symptoms: Educate yourself about menopause symptoms and seek help if needed to improve quality of life.
The menopause experience can be misunderstood and overlooked, leading to unnecessary suffering. The speaker shared her personal journey of having fibroids removed and later experiencing depression, which she initially attributed to unresolved grief. She was eventually diagnosed with menopause and felt relieved and rejuvenated after starting HRT. However, she had previously dismissed her symptoms as a normal part of aging. This highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing menopause symptoms, which can include fatigue, mood swings, and physical discomfort. It's essential to educate ourselves and seek help when needed, as menopause can significantly impact our quality of life. The speaker's experience also underscores the importance of self-advocacy and taking ownership of our health.
Breaking the taboo of menopause through collaboration: Through grassroots efforts and collaboration, the conversation around menopause became a topic of national importance, leading to policy changes and inspiring global action.
Imposter syndrome can be a barrier to progress, but with collaboration and persistence, significant strides can be made in addressing important issues, such as menopause, in society. A few years ago, discussing menopause in the House of Commons would have been unheard of, but through grassroots efforts and bringing people together, the conversation became a topic of national importance. The creation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Menopause and securing a private member's bill led to policy changes, including making HRT available on a one-time annual prescription in the UK. This achievement sparked global interest and inspired other countries to follow suit, demonstrating the power of collective action and determination. The discussion also highlighted the importance of addressing menopause holistically, including various forms of estrogen and progesterone as needed.
Important menopause issues not fully addressed by government: Despite some progress, access to affordable HRT, addressing domestic violence, suicide, and women leaving workforce remain concerns. APPG on Menopause driving change through inquiries and reports.
There are important issues related to menopause that are not yet fully addressed by the government. While some progress has been made, such as the creation of a menopause task force, the speaker has expressed disappointment with its lack of impact. Key areas of concern include access to free or cheap HRT, domestic violence, suicide, and women leaving the workforce due to menopause symptoms. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Menopause, a separate committee that the speaker chairs, has been more effective in driving change through inquiries and reports presented to the Department of Health. The speaker also highlighted the need to consider the impact of menopause on women in prison and the potential for misdiagnosis and injustice in the past. Overall, the conversation underscores the importance of continued advocacy and action to improve the lives of women during menopause.
Addressing the root causes of women's issues in prison: Increase funding for research, resources for women in prison, and awareness around women's health concerns to prevent women from going to prison and improve overall well-being.
There is a need for a more comprehensive approach to address the issues women face, particularly around health and criminal justice. Women's behavior in prison, such as problem gambling or drink driving, can often be linked to underlying issues like self-medication or lack of resources. In the case of HRT, the shortages and lack of access are due in part to a lack of prioritization and conversation around women's health concerns. The solution could involve more funding for research, resources for women in prison, and increased awareness and conversation around women's health issues. By addressing these root causes, we can potentially prevent women from going to prison and improve their overall well-being. Additionally, there is a need for more open dialogue and resources around menopause and its impact on women's health, which could lead to better diagnosis and access to treatment.
Ensuring Proper Support for Women in Menopause: Millions of women in menopause lack diagnosis and support, an HRT czar hasn't improved this, a national formulary is needed, process for HRT through prepayment certificates is confusing, raising awareness of menopause and cognitive decline is crucial, contact local MPs for support, APPG is advocating for change.
Millions of women in the perimenopausal and menopausal stages are not diagnosed or receiving proper support, despite the proven benefits of HRT. The introduction of an HRT czar last year has not significantly improved the situation, and a national formulary is needed to ensure equal access to HRT across the country. The process for obtaining HRT through a prepayment certificate can be confusing, and raising awareness of the links between menopause and cognitive decline, including dementia, is also crucial. It's essential for individuals to contact their local MPs and encourage them to support midlife women in their constituencies. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is actively working on this issue and will continue to advocate for change. By working together, we can help ensure that women receive the support they need during this critical stage of their lives.
Raising awareness and understanding of menopause: Involve policymakers, employers, and schools to create open conversations, education, and policy changes for menopausal women, acknowledging the impact on mental health, employment, and family life, and providing resources and support.
Creating a visible and effective public health campaign for menopause involves raising awareness and understanding of the condition among various sectors of society, including employers, policymakers, and schools. This can be achieved through open conversations, education, and policy changes that accommodate menopausal women in the workplace and other areas of life. By acknowledging the impact of menopause on mental health, employment, and family life, and providing resources and support, we can help women thrive during this stage of life. It's essential to involve policymakers and MPs in these conversations, as they have the power to make significant changes through legislation and policy. Additionally, including menopause education in schools can help break the taboo and create a more understanding and supportive society for all ages.
Addressing the Gap in Menopause Care: Upskill nurses or therapists, ensure medical education includes menopause, and normalize menopause as a health concern to improve diagnosis and treatment.
There are several companies and solutions addressing common pain points in different areas of life. Quince offers affordable high-end goods, Plush Care simplifies the weight loss journey with online access to board-certified physicians, and Pretty Litter revolutionizes cat litter with superior odor control and health monitoring. However, in healthcare, particularly around menopause care, there's a significant gap. The NHS, despite doing an excellent job overall, doesn't recognize menopause as a primary health condition, leading to under-diagnosis and inadequate treatment. Menopause affects 51% of the population, yet many doctors receive little to no training on it during their education. To address this issue, solutions could include upskilling prescribing nurses or occupational health therapists to run menopause clinics, ensuring all medical students receive adequate menopause education, and normalizing menopause as a health concern that warrants attention and resources.
Menopause healthcare needs prioritization: Lack of menopause clinics and specialists, limited access to testosterone, and insufficient recognition of progesterone benefits hinder women's access to proper care
The lack of understanding and prioritization of menopause in healthcare is causing delays in getting women the support they need. Menopause clinics are not readily available for many, and doctors who specialize in menopause often have to go into private practice to find work. The Balance Menopause app is a helpful resource for women to track their symptoms and have more productive conversations with their GPs. The app can help identify symptoms that women may not realize they have and can fast-track the conversation with their doctor. The discussion also touched on the issue of prescribing testosterone for women, which is currently limited to those who can prove a link between their sexual health and mental health. Some women have resorted to lying to get it prescribed. The lack of recognition of the benefits of progesterone and the difficulty of getting the right dosage add to the challenges women face in getting proper hormone support. Overall, more needs to be done to prioritize menopause healthcare and provide women with the resources and support they need.
Women's Access to Testosterone Replacement Therapy: 1 in 10 women leave jobs due to menopause symptoms, some resort to illegal means for TRT, speaker aims to make it more accessible through APPG and media support
Women's access to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a pressing issue that needs more attention and action. The speaker shares her personal experience of the significant difference TRT makes in her cognitive function, mental capacity, and overall well-being. However, not everyone can afford it due to the limited availability of prescriptions and high costs. Some women are even resorting to illegal means to obtain it. This situation not only affects individuals but also businesses and the economy, as 1 in 10 women leave their jobs due to menopause-related symptoms. The speaker intends to focus on the benefits of TRT for women through the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and hopes to gain media support to push for change and make it more accessible for those who need it.
Supporting women through menopause in the workplace: Flexible work arrangements, open communication, and access to resources can help women manage menopause symptoms and continue working. Proactive policies and respect for employees lead to a happier, healthier workforce.
Creating a supportive workplace environment for women going through menopause is crucial for their overall well-being and productivity. Menopause leave, while an option, may not be necessary with the right employer support. Flexible work arrangements, open communication, and access to resources such as NHS appointments can help women manage their symptoms and continue working. Companies should strive to create menopause policies that are proactive, not just a tick-box exercise, and empower individuals to make decisions that best suit their needs. Ultimately, valuing and respecting employees, especially women, leads to a happier, healthier workforce.
Caroline's Transformation and Impactful Work: Despite societal criticism of her appearance, Caroline's transformative journey and impactful work should be an inspiration, reminding us to focus on substance over superficiality and support women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Caroline, a political figure and activist, shares her experiences with the public's focus on her appearance rather than her political points. She discusses her transformation through HRT and how society's criticism, particularly regarding her weight and appearance, is trivial in comparison to her impactful work. Caroline emphasizes the importance of supporting women, particularly those from socially disadvantaged groups, and encourages listeners to subscribe to the Lazar Well-being Show Plus for ad-free access to inspiring conversations. UnitedHealthcare's Health ProtectorGuard fixed indemnity insurance plans offer extra coverage for medical bills, and 1-800-Flowers helps celebrate moms with special offers for Mother's Day. eBay's authenticity guarantee ensures the purchase of real items.
