Anyone watching Davina: sex, mind and menopauseon c4

[Meltinthemiddle]

Really interesting and relatable.

So is the advice that everyone takes hrt now? Regardless of symptoms etc.

i’ve never thought about it as I didn’t get on with hormonal contraception at all so have avoided taking hormones so far.

I don’t have any noticeable menopause symptoms so far. However I’m over 50 so I don’t know whether I’m lucky, am late getting there, or what.

I concur with both. A one-hour programme on C4 only has 42 minutes of screen time. I think they were going for the broadest possible reach. I particularly agree so much more needs to be said about atrophy as many have little to no understanding of it, not least because it can manifest in different ways.

However, on a plus point, programmes like this are an excellent starting point. Given it’s a women’s health issue, I am strongly certain it only made it to screen due to Davina pushing for it, and for this, I am thankful. It’s a topic that needs way more discussion, study and understanding.

@MarshaBradyo I've started a new thread on this with a link to the topic of brain health.

It wasn't a trial at all, it was an observational study of 99 women, including meno age, use of the Pill, HRT etc.

I'm sorry as every one seems to love Davina, but I feel this was over-egged by her.

What’s your reason for not taking hormones? With HRT it’s not anything additional, it’s replacing what your body is no longer making. The absence of these hormones has far reaching effects on your health, don’t you want to try to protect against them?

@jolietomate So disappointing that they didn't include Elaine Miller and talk about vaginal health and prolapse. These are real issues affecting many women. Something like half of all women have some element of prolapse after giving birth.

@JinglingHellsBells Whatever anyone’s feelings about Davina, she’s got people talking about the subject, so surely that in itself is a good thing?

Yes, I agree with that.

On the other hand, it's been 'out there' for a long time online and in women's mags. Many of the women's glossies cover it at least once a year and there have been countless features in most of the broadsheets over the last few years.

Yes, this seems to be the case.

Perimenopause can last anywhere up to a decade. Mid-50s seems to be the average age to reach menopause. However, everyone is different. Also, not everyone gets symptoms. You might be one of the few who sails through. I was not, and although I am only in my mid-40s, am already post menopause, so I need to take HRT to protect my brain, bones and heart.

Prior to menopause, I didn’t use hormonal contraceptives and didn’t want to take HRT. However needs must. Even now my body produces none of its own hormones, I am still sensitive to oestrogen, so take the lightest dose possible of it (along with progesterone and testosterone). HRT has been life-changing.

Yes it’s good it’s in discussion, not that long ago it was hushed discussions and prior to that ‘the change’ or whatever euphemism

which is nuts and I’m so glad we’ve moved past that

I still feel like I’d like data, thanks Jingling for background, and find the overall level of knowledge frustrating.

it feels like a big decision if not one motivated by symptoms - although I have two that have increased very recently so am thinking about it more

True. However, television has a far larger reach and is often far more impactful than online articles and printed press. And besides, not everyone reads, sadly.

At the very least, this and the last programme are very good jumping off points for someone to do more research.

my friends are all around 48-55 and most had no idea about peri meno. All educated bright women and had no idea. One has the coil and had no idea how it worked. Another was on anti depressants which didn’t work - she left her job. Now she’s on hrt and much better. So we do need TV shows like this. I think we need more!

on Twitter davina is being bombarded by GPs angry that they are being criticised. We know from mumsnet threads that many GPs don’t give women a full picture. More training and support is needed but also better access to hrt and non hrt advice. Surely all healthcare professionals support that.

I think the theory is that every woman over the age of 45 is at the very least in Perimenopause (average 7 years before menopause but potentially up to a decade). As I've said, I'm 41 (next week!) and with hindsight I'd say I've been having Peri-type symptoms on and off for about 3 years, so whilst I'm probably a bit younger than average I'm still within "normal" ranges.

I have PCOS, so my hormones are out of whack already, but I did hear a reassuring piece on one of Dr Newson's podcasts that said if you have PCOS and found that you felt better during pregnancy it's a good sign that you're likely to react well to HRT.

I'm going to call my GP surgery today, I've been on the waiting list for the coil for about 2 months now and have had no update on when I'm likely to get seen. I want to get that sorted before I go back and discuss oestrogen options.

Again, I concur. Sadly C4 is always going to take the populist approach. What we really need is for someone to take this to BBC2 or even back to C4 and try to get it commissioned.

Women’s health, particularly anything related to the vagina, giving birth and prolapse is still seen as taboo to discuss openly, even amongst women. It’s so frustrating and its only women who suffer as a result.

Urgh. I need to do some actual work now. Will try to check back in later as am enjoying the discourse enormously.

@JinglingHellsBells Please can you @ me in the thread you have started about brain health so I can have a read of that later - thanks 😀

I know a woman in London who was just offered hrt when she went to the Gp for other things at 45. But that was London and may have been private.

I think I've had symptoms for many years but thought I had cfs. A baby at 41 though made me suspect it was hormonal as so many things improved. Then went downhill.

I'm now 45, started hrt in November. It was great. Covid infection 3 months ago has upset the apple cart though, I definitely feel I need more (god the bone aches!) but apparently need to wait a couple more months to see if things settle again after covid.

My last period was barely there even on hrt (it did make them heavier but they had reduced to not much for one day.) so im suspecting im much further along than I thought.

I think many women are on contraception and that probably masks some of the symptoms. I never had contraception and never had any hormonal issues. But I do have hypothyroidism and was a very late starter period wise. I don't think my body is good at hormones!

I do need to point out that womens brains only started to be studied in the 1990s dementia wise. They're decades behind. They've only just started to look into the impact of head injuries in womens rugby and football and evidence suggests it's much worse than it is for men. No one thought to study till about 2 years ago.

I will watch it on catch up as didn’t get chance yesterday.
I’m 57. I had mirena coil from 47-52 . It was the hormone one and it was great for me. Since it was taken out I’ve not had a period so that’s a bonus BUT I’m tired all the time and have no energy. I can’t sleep properly as need 2x wee’s every night and worst of all I’m so bloody sad, miserable and angry all the time. (for no reason)
Does anyone know - should I be on HRT or am I too old .?

I am intending to book a doctors appointment as I’m so sad all the time and can’t fight it any more .

Great discussion and I ❤ Elaine Miller too. She used to post on MN back in the day iirc.

I did think vaginal atrophy was covered in Davina's first prog, though- wasn't that the lady who had to sit on cushions when it was at its worst? Who was shown doing yoga?

It's a new thread @jolietomate so you should be able to see it 😃

What’s your reason for not taking hormones? With HRT it’s not anything additional, it’s replacing what your body is no longer making. The absence of these hormones has far reaching effects on your health, don’t you want to try to protect against them?

like I said, hormonal contraception was a nightmare. Murderous rages, no libido, weight gain, emotionally labile, constant bleeding.

i have not risked messing with my hormones since.

i currently feel absolutely fine, the only reason for hrt would be my age. I was just wondering if the advice is now a blanket all women of menopausal age take hrt regardless of symptoms.

I’m watching it now and weeping. Weeping because I am 49 and for the last 4 years I have had endless and I mean endless, GP appointments explaining that I am not feeling myself, feeling beyond anxious, depression and low mood, rages, absolutely zero libido, aura migraines during period, vaginal dryness, hot flushes in the night, periods so heavy that I have needed to have iron infusions and now an ablation, digestive issues, thinning hair, tinnitus, dry/itchy skin, it goes on and on. YET! Not once have any of the GPs suggested that I may be Perimenopausal. When I’ve asked, I have been told I am not quite there yet as I have regular periods and no daytime hot flushes.
My poor mum has heart disease, bent over with osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s. She always wished she had taken HRT, that makes my heart break.

And I am in East Anglia, which according to the program is not a great area trying to get HRT!

I think a lot of places have woken up to this over the last year. NE is supposed to be bad; I actually think it's the lack of clinics when I looked myself.

My Gp has been amazing but takes and interest.

Dr Newson has been giving training to all gps who want it.

@Thetoasterhasbroken Can you afford a private appt with a meno specialist? I'd make that your priority even if it might mean cutting back on holidays, clothes, entertainment, or slapping it on a credit card, whatever. Many women only need 1 appt then their GP is able to continue with prescribing. Your health is No 1 . I know GPs ought to step up and yours sounds a disgrace but sometimes you have to do whatever you can to get the right help.

Doctors definitely need more training on it, especially peri symptoms and that it can happen pre 40.

I started getting peri menopause symptoms in late 30's. It was like I had suddenly lost myself and couldn't understand wtf was happening.

I was fobbed off by GP's. Don't be silly, you're too young, you're depressed, it's in your head.

It's taken until mid 40's to be taken seriously and I'm so fucking angry that the damage that has happened to my body and mind in the last few years could've possibly been preventable or even just not having to suffer with the symptoms.

The programme wasn't the best but bloody good on Davina for getting all this shit talked about. A more in depth series should be commissioned.

JinglingHellsBells sadly no, I am on carers allowance atm so money is extremely tight. I am trying to change GP surgeries and hope and pray I will get somewhere with the new practice 🤞