R4 Rethink 15th Jan - Kate Muir

BringBackCatsEyes · 2026-01-16T14:56:55+00:00

Did anyone else hear Kate Muir on R4's Rethink yesterday afternoon? I am interested in what you think of what she said. Programme is [[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pfhg here]] and she's about 1/2 way in.

JinglingSpringbells · 16/01/2026 18:12

I will listen but can you give a quick summary?

My instinct after reading some features she's written on menopause is that she will be saying women of 50 ish should be on HRT for decades as we may live to 90 and it will prevent a lot of loss of mobility and deaths.

Am I on the right lines?

Original poster

BringBackCatsEyes · 16/01/2026 20:15

JinglingSpringbells · 16/01/2026 18:12

I will listen but can you give a quick summary?

My instinct after reading some features she's written on menopause is that she will be saying women of 50 ish should be on HRT for decades as we may live to 90 and it will prevent a lot of loss of mobility and deaths.

Am I on the right lines?

Spot on!
I have never heard what she has to say, or read any of her stuff, but did recognise her name.
I was aggrieved by the way she described it as a metabolic catastrophe for women (not some or many women), particularly with regard to brain fog and how women are impacted at work. I absolutely welcome that it is more openly discussed and recognised - of course I do, but the last thing I want is that this framing leads to assumptions among colleagues or managers that any work-related issues must be age- or menopause-related.

Oh and something like "well, some women might need to do a holistic approach with exercise and diet" said in an almost sneery way.

nb I was listening while cooking so may not be entirely correct, but I did feel like she was speaking on behalf of ALL women and didn't like that.

OP posts:

JinglingSpringbells · 16/01/2026 22:28

BringBackCatsEyes · 16/01/2026 20:15

Spot on!
I have never heard what she has to say, or read any of her stuff, but did recognise her name.
I was aggrieved by the way she described it as a metabolic catastrophe for women (not some or many women), particularly with regard to brain fog and how women are impacted at work. I absolutely welcome that it is more openly discussed and recognised - of course I do, but the last thing I want is that this framing leads to assumptions among colleagues or managers that any work-related issues must be age- or menopause-related.

Oh and something like "well, some women might need to do a holistic approach with exercise and diet" said in an almost sneery way.

nb I was listening while cooking so may not be entirely correct, but I did feel like she was speaking on behalf of ALL women and didn't like that.

Show quote history

She's written a book on it too, I'm pretty sure.

JinglingSpringbells · 17/01/2026 09:24

BringBackCatsEyes · 16/01/2026 20:15

Spot on!
I have never heard what she has to say, or read any of her stuff, but did recognise her name.
I was aggrieved by the way she described it as a metabolic catastrophe for women (not some or many women), particularly with regard to brain fog and how women are impacted at work. I absolutely welcome that it is more openly discussed and recognised - of course I do, but the last thing I want is that this framing leads to assumptions among colleagues or managers that any work-related issues must be age- or menopause-related.

Oh and something like "well, some women might need to do a holistic approach with exercise and diet" said in an almost sneery way.

nb I was listening while cooking so may not be entirely correct, but I did feel like she was speaking on behalf of ALL women and didn't like that.

Show quote history

I've listened and I think what she said was fair. In terms of biology it is a huge metabolic change ( think she uses 'catastrophe' a bit loosely) and yes the NHS needs to do a lot more about osteoporosis.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society asked the NHS to offer bone density scans for all women over 50 but they refused on the basis of cost. Yet economically it costs more in the long term because of death, disability and repairing fractures.
And likewise, many women do give up work or reduce their hours because of meno symptoms- this part of MN has many saying they can't cope with work any more.

The only part that grated with me was the self promotion about her TV work and books.