By MJ, G&J Magazine
I recently booked on to an evening event on Women’s Health and Wellness with Enigma Healthcare, and here’s what I learned.
As women, we traverse a multitude of stages throughout our lives, each marked by its own set of joys, challenges, and changes… Yet, perhaps none is as profound (or used to be so taboo) or transformative and confusing as the menopause it seems. It’s a time of transition that can bring about a cascade of physical, emotional, and hormonal shifts, often leaving us searching for answers and solutions to try and navigate this uncharted territory with some kind of grace (like a swan peddling underneath the surface) and confidence.
At this Women’s Health and Wellness event experts in women’s health at Enigma Healthcare were focused on demystifying the menopause and exploring the role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), natural remedies, and holistic an lifestyle approaches to managing its myriad symptoms.
Dr. Dancy, renowned for her expertise in menopause care, shed light on the perimenopause and menopause stages, emphasising the importance of tailored approaches to address individual needs and support informed decision-making. She highlighted the different forms of HRT (oral, gels, sprays and patches) and the Mirena coil and its uses, and discussed the role of each of the hormones that may be prescribed. It was great to discuss and dispel some of the misunderstandings around the risks of HRT too.
Joining the conversation, Dr. Caroline Hinkey also a GP and expert in Women’s Wellness helped to explain the criticality of women’s wellness check-ups, stressing the importance of early detection of illnesses through screenings for cervical and breast cancer. She echoed the sentiment that proactive healthcare, blood tests and a women’s wellness MOT should be tailored to individual risk factors, and how important it is for us all to take control and to look ahead ensuring women’s well-being through all stages of life.
The third panel member was Georgina Bailey, a women’s health physiotherapist, who delved into the often-overlooked aspect of pelvic floor health during menopause. She explained, in a way we could all understand, the impact of menopausal symptoms such as vaginal atrophy and the importance of seeking specialist advice if you are having symptoms and how to do pelvic floor exercises correctly.
The discussion further explored the nuanced relationship between menopause, HRT, and women’s overall health. Dr. Dancy explained the role of lifestyle modifications and the value of nutrition such as natural sources of oestrogen such as soya as well as ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D alongside weight-bearing exercise for bone health.
She also discussed the importance of the timely initiation of HRT, in order to achieve optimal benefits, and not ‘soldiering on’ with symptoms but seeking expert advice early in this transition to explore all your options. Rather than suffering in silence or feeling a sense of loss for the younger you as you enter this chapter, the evening highlighted the support that is available to help make this a positive and smoother transition.
Amidst the dialogue surrounding HRT, the conversation turned towards the complexities of balancing its benefits with potential risks, considering factors such as family history of breast cancer and the need for regular breast examinations.
The focus shifted towards natural remedies and holistic approaches to managing menopause symptoms. While acknowledging the efficacy of HRT for many women, speakers explored alternative options such as herbal remedies and lifestyle modifications. Dr. Dancy cautioned against the pitfalls of unregulated supplements, advocating for informed discussions with healthcare providers before incorporating them into treatment regimes as there are so many different products out there that it can be a minefield to choose from.
Throughout the evening it was clear to see the importance of empowerment through knowledge and proactive healthcare. Whether through informed decision-making regarding HRT or embracing holistic wellness practices. What I thought was great was the sense of encouragement to take an active role in our own health journey and to seek advice out from the specialists rather than thinking we need to soldier on and not complain. The whole evening served as a beacon of guidance, helping to illuminate the path towards optimal health and well-being during the menopause phase which can feel daunting and that it is one of those things we just have to deal with and get on with.
Navigating the menopause is not merely a journey of physical changes, but a holistic exploration of self-care, empowerment and knowing where to go and what to look out for. Through informed choices, proactive healthcare, and a supportive community (it really felt like we had one here), we can embrace this transition with confidence, vitality, and a renewed sense of well-being. 50 is the new 30 afterall!
