I have had a keen interest in listening/advising my patients with any peri-menopause/menopause/post-menopause symptoms. Having previously trained with Dr Marion Gluck on two occasions for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy in 2016/2017.
After suddenly hitting my own menopause in 2019 I definitely had a clearer and deeper understanding! I went straight to Louise Newson Clinic for specialist help and HRT. For many years I have been interested in holistic health, looking at the reduction of stress, sleep improvements, diet and nutrition, use of supplements, alongside the use of hormone replacement therapy and which ones suit each individual.
Menopause and the hormonal fluctuations of peri-menopause is a common topic of conversation in my clinic. It has a huge impact on women – knowing where to turn and what is best for each individual can be confusing.
Often in our 40’s and 50’s, life drastically changes, with more elderly parents, sometimes needing more care, children growing up and leaving home and career pressures.
Along with the many symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause, affecting our physical and mental well-being, it can be a challenging time.
Also, surgery can put women into a sudden ‘surgical’ menopause.
I attended the Pause Live Conference on 14th September 2024- held at The De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London’s West End.
This is the third year of the UK’s largest menopause event – aimed for a day filled with learning, laughter, top tips and tools to educate and inspire.
There was an education stage with a full programme of speakers.
The ‘Laugh out Loud’ live stage with various different guests including ‘menopause warrier’ Lisa Snowden.
Over 70 exhibitors.
Wellness Hub sessions, including breath work and yoga.
Workshops – I went to the Menopause and Cancer Workshop.
At this workshop it was highlighted that there are over 30 symptoms from hormonal changes, the drop and swings of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Including –
- Hot flushes,
- Night sweats,
- Vaginal dryness,
- Bladder problems,
- Allergies, including skin sensitivities,
- Itchy skin, ageing skin acceleration, wrinkles.
- Joint aches, frozen shoulders,
- Osteoporosis,
- Brittle nails,
- Tight muscles,
- Dry eyes, watery eyes,
- Burning tongue, dry mouth, metallic taste,
- Sleep disturbances, fatigue,
- Sore breasts,
- Electric shock sensations in the body,
- Tingling extremities
Speaker Dr Consultant Karolina Afors presented –
Should I take HRT?
If your previous cancer that is ‘hormone sensitive’ tumour – best to seek specialist advice.
Need an individualised risk assessment.
Informed decision for the patient, looking at their quality of life.
Cervical and vaginal cancers are not hormone dependent so HRT is usually acceptable to use.
Endometrial cancer is now the 4th most common cancer in the UK, this has increased due to more obesity problems.
Again – each individual case needs to be discussed to see if HRT can be used.
There are 4 types of Ovarian cancers.
Unlike breast and cervical cancer, there is no standard screening method to detect pre-invasive or early ovarian cancer – hence 70% of women often present with late stage disease stage 3 or further.
Some ladies could have HRT after removal – again specialist advice recommended.
BRCA 1 & 2-
These are tumour suppressor genes, this gene alteration can result in increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
1 in 450 of population carry the faulty BRCA gene.
1 in 40 women of Jewish Ashkenazi descent carry the faulty BRCA gene.
Men can be silent carriers.
Dr Afors discussed the prophylactic risk reducing surgery.
Take home messages –
A Gynaecological malignancy/cancer is not an automatic contraindication to HRT.
If you have had breast cancer, that does not mean that you cannot have HRT.
Women with treatment induced Premature Ovarian Insufficiency are at risk of osteoporosis and reduced overall survival from other causes, HRT and lifestyle adaptations will improve.
Vaginal oestrogen is safe for the majority of women.
Women should be asked about menopausal symptoms at follow up appointments.
Innovation is becoming available with some none-hormonal alternatives, however long term data lacking and potential impact on testosterone.
Dr Carys Sonnenberg then presented. She is an NHS GP and private menopause specialist (Rowena Health)
She talked about her holistic approach and advice –
Lifestyle, HRT – systemic or localised vaginal oestrogen, CBT for hot flushes, sleep and mental health, counselling, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, yoga, herbal remedies, aromatherapy massage, homeopathy, positive wellbeing support, mental wellness practices, sexual health support and contraception, pain management, side effects of cancer treatments ie. tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, involving experts such as nutritionist, herbal medicine, pelvic floor physiotherapist, support groups.
Lifestyle in more detail includes –
Sleep, good nutrition, gut health, supplements, weight management, exercise, strength training, hydration, consider caffeine and alcohol intake, smoking and drugs, socialising, relationships, work/life balance, bone health, blood pressure, screening.
What do you need to know about HRT?
What is it – various patches, gels, tablets, sprays of oestrogen/progesterone also can obtain testosterone.
Many women with a history of cancer can take HRT.
How to take it, which product might suit you best?
Which hormones you need – oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, local oestrogen.
Benefits to your symptoms include protection from osteoporotic bone fractures, can reduce risk of cardiovascular disease depending on when HRT started, lower risk of type 2 diabetes, decreases the risk of and progression of colorectal cancer, dementia (although does not support using HRT solely for the purposes of reducing dementia risk due to current lack of evidence)
Possible side effects from taking oestrogen and/or progesterone. Varies on each woman, which product works for them, but also adding in lifestyle changes.
How long to take it for? – some take for a shorter time, but can be taken for the rest of your life.
On the Educational Stage I saw a presentation on –
Optimal Nutrition for Menopause – by Sascha Landskron -Specialist Dietician and Nutrigen test practitioner.
Nutritional Genomics – Our genes provide a template for health and wellbeing.
Our lifestyle and wellbeing affects the expression of our genes.
Almost every human trait and disease has a genetic component, whether inherited or influenced by behavioural factors.
For example you can test your bloods to see your own gene predisposition to reduced HDL levels, caffeine and alcohol metabolism, risk of developing type 2 diabetes, how you process sugars and carbohydrates, how you react to exercise.
I had a lovely stroll around all the busy exhibitors – purchased some lovely natural oils from Dr Shahzadi Harper from The Harper Clinic.
Met Victoria Hardy, author of My Menopause Journal, My Rules.
The launch of Pause – a CBD sparkling blush lemonade drinks for wellbeing and replace an alcoholic drink.
Saw a lively panel discussion of ‘Brain Fog – who the f*** am I?!’ – Navigating mind health strategies for menopause’
Presentation by Dr Vanessa Emslie (a senior functional medicine practitioner)
– From Symptoms to solutions – How testing hormones and methylation genes can resolve your perimenopausal challenges.
Willbe Hormonal Health optimisation plan (mywillbe.co.uk)
Interestingly she informed us that optimal Vitamin D levels (between 40-60 nmols in your bloods) are proven to increase your lifespan by 1.87 years.
Presentation by Dr Michael L Krychman from California, an OBGYN and certified sex counsellor, author of 7 books.
He discussed how to navigate menopause/andropause and midlife relationships.Helping his patients and their partners overcome sexual health challenges and experience a higher quality of physical intimacy.
(Sponsored by UberLube – an american silicone based lubricant)
Some Exhibitors I met –
- Nudispray.com – fantastic product designed to remove the very sticky HRT patch glue instantly.
- everybudy.co.uk- natural CDB products to help with anxiety, sleep and pain.
- eyesarethestory.com – years of research from american company to have specific toxin-free products to use around the eyes, also for sensitive and dry eyes that are common in menopause and post menopause.
- regelle.co.uk – non-hormonal vaginal moisturiser – Dublin based company now launching in the UK.
- arella-beauty.co.uk – Plant based collagen and menopause drinks.
- rosewaylabs.com – Roseway Labs are a private compounding pharmacy with a large range of supplements and bio-identical hormonal replacement prescription products.
- imedicare.mypelvichealth.co.uk – a vaginal device that reduces leakage in stress urinary incontinence.
- earthsecret.com – high quality supplements founded by Amy Peacock (looking forward to my sleep supplements arriving!)
- uberlube.com – UberLube is an american brand of silicone and vitamin E lubrication.
- wearejude.com – clinically proven supplement originally on Dragons Den for bladder control
- actiphwater.com – the UK’s first alkaline ionised water founded by the rower Jaimie Douglas-Hamilton
- p.happi.com – Intimate womens serum to protect your microbiome.
Please also visit thelattelounge.co.uk for lots of up to date and accurate, information on women’s hormonal health.
