Marie Hoag, MBA - Female HRT Physician Consultant’s Post

Menopause is widely known to be a marker of the end of a woman's reproductive life, designated 12 months after her last period, said the National Institute on Aging (NIA). However, many people are less aware that perimenopause comes before it, and can cause symptoms like declining bone and muscle mass, wrinkles, sagging skin, graying hair, irregular periods, decreased fertility, vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Many of these symptoms echo those that crop up for 90% of women during menopause. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders last month also links perimenopause to a significant increase in the likelihood of depression. According to the study, "women in this stage are about 40% more likely to experience the mental health condition than premenopausal women," said CNN. This is partly because levels of estrogen, the main female hormone, rise and fall "unevenly" during perimenopause, said Mayo Clinic. Estrogen, in turn, has "been found to affect the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, β-endorphin and serotonin, all of which have a role in emotional states," said the Journal's study authors to CNN. Although approximately 2 million women reach menopause every year, "fewer than 1 in 10 physicians treating these individuals feel prepared to do so," said CNN, citing a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Healthcare providers often fail to make their female patients aware of medications that could help alleviate perimenopause and menopause symptoms. "Even lifestyle changes [can] help, like healthier eating, avoiding alcohol, regular exercise and stress reduction," Pinkerton said. #womenshealth #femtech #healthtech #digitalhealth #healthcare #healthcareinnovation #startups #innovation #health #medtech #healthcareresearch #femalehealth #genderhealthgap #reproductivehealth #venturecapital #vc #funding #investment #grants #maternalhealth #periods #menstruation #sexualhealth #sextech #menopause #fertility #pregnancy #postpartum #eggfreezing #IVF #healthequity #pelvicfloor #pelvicfloorhealth #hormonehealth

Excited to read this valuable research from Joyce Harper and colleagues, exploring perimenopausal women’s feelings towards their periods, the impact on their wellbeing and how we can support them. Right up my street 💥 It makes for a miserable read though, because mostly women have hated menstruation all through their lives, and suffer more in perimenopause. 🥺 The report concludes that menstrual education needs to be improved from an early age for both genders. Infuriating that the media didn’t pick up on it though 🤬 Question: what if young people were taught about not only the physiology but also the superpowers of each menstrual phase and how to care for them? This single element would not only improve menstrual health outcomes, but also perimenopause suffering too. AND give patriarchy a massive kick up the arse. (And put me out of a job 🤣) What caught my eye though was the bit about the experience of the first period (aka menarche) and how it impacts on the rest of their menstrual life. This is something that shows up stand again in my clients but luckily is something you can heal now. It has amazing benefits for perimenopause struggles. If you’re curious about this I have different offerings that might suit you: If you want 1-2-1 guidance and holding the Menopause Doula service is for you. There are three levels of support available with check-ins and bonus materials available over a year. If you prefer online, try the Perimenopause Unwrapped self-directed online course to move from fear to compassion - where you’ll find a gentle holding to do a deep dive into reflecting and transforming your experience of the menstrual years. For your teens, get in touch with Tara Ghosh for her excellent courses and check out Saskia Boujo for more brilliance Read the books from @Tessa Venuti Sanderson and @saraho65 I’m sure there are loads more great resources for healing monarch retrospectively and for educating teens and children. Please add your favourites. Maybe I’ll post more on menarche in another post. So much potency here. https://lnkd.in/eepyjcgd

The conversation around menopause is evolving, and it's about time! Influential figures like Drew Barrymore and Naomi Watts are shedding light on this important phase, but there's still much work to be done. A recent McKinsey report highlights menopause as an area with one of the highest unmet needs in female health, presenting a massive market potential ranging from $120 billion to $350 billion globally. With over 450 million women worldwide experiencing symptoms, the demand for effective treatments and support is undeniable. At Cofertility, we recognize the holistic journey of womanhood, from fertility challenges to menopausal transitions. Our commitment extends beyond helping you build your family; we're here to empower and support you at every stage of life. #MenopauseAwareness #WomensHealth #Innovation #Healthcare #McKinseyReport https://lnkd.in/eMwNrRmB

“Not feeling like myself” is an incredibly appropriate phrase in an article from The Washington Post today. I just led a Menopause Cafe charity event today for a group of women in different stages of menopause and this was a great summation of what they experience: ✅Complete overwhelm ✅Disconnectedness between one’s body and brain ✅Brain fog – can't think clearly and focus ✅Mood swings – rage, sobbing at trivial things, extremely irritable ✅Hot flashes and night sweats ✅Vaginal dryness and discomfort ✅Sleep deprivation so severe you can’t function   👭 While medical intervention and therapies can help, sisterhood does as well. Women feel so alone during this time. And many doctors aren’t menopause experts and so can dismiss patients, tell them to “suck it up,” send them off with an anti-depressant or give them bad guidance.   🦸♀️Knowing others are going through the same feelings and talking about it together can empower women with the understanding that what they are experiencing is normal, hormonal, a shared struggle, and can get better.   🌅Perimenopause can happen much earlier than many expect as well. So education in advance of this life stage is critical. One woman in my group today thought she was dying…but no, “just” menopause.   🤲Women out there – know you are NOT alone, advocate for yourself and insist on the proper care, and talk to each other! https://lnkd.in/gn_ihXhh #Menopause #MenopauseSymptoms #MenopauseHealth #Midlife #MenopauseAwareness #MenopauseMovement #EmpoweringWomen #MenopauseSupport #MenopauseRelief #Menowar Menopause Experts Group Limited

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY EPISODE 8 Last weekend, I read The Happy Vagina and I discovered this medical fact that I wasn't knowledgeable of till then, maybe you aren't either. Here's a chain to aid my explanation: Perimenopause➡️Menopause➡️postmenopause The first stage "Perimenopause" refers to the years when a woman's body begins to prepare for menopause. For most women, it often begins at age 40 and lasts for 10 years. Symptoms of perimenopause include: •night sweat •troubled night sleep •headaches •muscle/joint pains •hair thinning •dry skin, eyes, or mouth •focus/memory issues •hot flashes •cold flashes •irregular periods (they become heavier or lighter) •vaginal dryness •mood swings •breast tenderness and they heighten for 4/5 years before gradually lulling during menopause and postmenopause. Fun fact, women are likely to fall pregnant at this stage. The second stage, which is the menopause technically occurs for a single day after a 12-month streak of no period. Before last weekend I had thought menopause was a recurrence but became blown away with surprise to discover it lasts for 24 hours! Postmenopause which ranks third on the chain marks the end of women's menstrual cycle and occurs after the period after the 24 hours of menopause. For decades, this has been made to feel like misery for women but according to this assertion by The Happy Vagina (which I second) "Postmenopause marks the end of the menstrual cycle, which for many women is incredibly liberating, with no more periods or hormonal headaches and, if you allow it, a much greater sense of reassurance without the monthly upheaval of hormone cycles." Also, the book opines that "perimenopause can be similar to a second period of adolescence" and I agree. Just like menstruation heralds womanhood and is rejoined for, the former should follow suit and not be given the status of an irreversible disaster. You might not see this in any medical textbook or hear it often from your society, but the beginning of these three stages in women results in the loss of only ONE thing which is FERTILITY. Menopausal women are STILL feminine, beautiful, and phenomenal. But if you are still in doubt, Healthline.com states these 5 benefits of menopause for women: •A positive perspective. The Massachusetts Women’s Health Study Trusted Source, one of the largest longitudinal studies to focus on middle-aged women, found that most women had overwhelmingly positive or neutral attitudes toward menopause. •No change in health or health behaviors. •The wisdom of experience. since Menopause goes hand-in-hand with aging, which carries with it the value of life experience. •No menstruation. Bringing an end to heavy periods, cramping, or PMS, & nonpurchases of tampons, pads, or other menstrual products. •No need for birth control after no periods for one year *** Hi, I'm Etimbuk. Let's connect & engage. #whatilearnedtoday #women #perimenopause #menopause #postmenopause #learningeveryday

🚀 Just read this article in The Week about perimenopause being described as a “second puberty” for women. As a mother of two teen girls this article resonated with me, especially after watching “Inside Out 2” recently, which beautifully captures the turbulence of puberty. 🌪️ In both cases, we face significant hormonal fluctuations, often feeling unprepared and unsupported. For many women, perimenopause brings a sense of not feeling like ourselves, much like the rollercoaster of emotions during puberty. 🎢 What struck me most is the parallel between these two phases of life. Both are critical transitions where our bodies and minds undergo profound changes, yet societal awareness and support remain lacking. It’s as if we navigate these waters without a map, and those around us are just as unprepared to help. But there’s a silver lining. 🌟 Awareness is growing, and more research is being dedicated to understanding and supporting women through perimenopause. The dialogue is opening up, and with it comes a wave of positive change. As we continue to shine a light on these important issues, I am optimistic that future generations will be better equipped and supported through these significant life stages. We shall continue the conversation and advocate for better education and resources for all women. #Perimenopause #SecondPuberty #WomensHealth #InsideOut2 #Awareness #Support #HormonalHealth #FemTech #PositiveChange https://lnkd.in/dbDazQwX

“Not feeling like myself” is an incredibly appropriate phrase in an article from The Washington Post. I just led a Menopause Cafe charity  event today for a group of women in different stages of menopause and this was a great summation of what they experience: ✅Complete overwhelm ✅Disconnectedness between one’s body and brain ✅Brain fog – can't think clearly and focus ✅Mood swings – rage, sobbing at trivial things, extremely irritable ✅Hot flashes and night sweats ✅Vaginal dryness and discomfort ✅Sleep deprivation so severe you can’t function   👭 While medical intervention and therapies can help, sisterhood does as well. Women feel so alone during this time. And many doctors aren’t menopause experts and so can dismiss patients, tell them to “suck it up,” send them off with an anti-depressant or give them bad guidance.   🦸♀️Knowing others are going through the same feelings and talking about it together can empower women with the understanding that what they are experiencing is normal, hormonal, a shared struggle, and can get better.   🌅Perimenopause can happen much earlier than many expect as well. So education in advance of this life stage is critical. One woman in my group today thought she was dying…but no, “just” menopause.   🤲Women out there – know you are NOT alone, advocate for yourself and insist on the proper care, and talk to each other! https://lnkd.in/gn_ihXhh #Menopause #MenopauseSymptoms #MenopauseHealth #Midlife #MenopauseAwareness #MenopauseMovement #EmpoweringWomen #MenopauseSupport #MenopauseRelief #Menowar Menopause Experts Group Limited

Women’s Health and Comprehensive Care: Women’s health is a topic that deserves deep attention and thought. Women face multiple challenges throughout their lives, from menstrual problems to menopause and motherhood. Achieving good health requires awareness and knowledge, and this is what we will explore in this article. We will cover multiple topics related to women’s health, from biological issues to psychological and social aspects. We will talk about female hormones, menstrual problems, menopause, pregnancy and health care, physical activity, and healthy nutrition. Let’s begin our journey to explore the world of women’s health and comprehensive care! Women's Health: Important Information 1. Menstrual and menstrual problems: Women can experience problems such as severe pain during menstruation, mood swings, and menstrual disorders. We will discuss their causes and how to deal with them. 2. Female hormones and their disorders: We will cover topics such as polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disorders, and various hormonal changes. 3. Menopause and its problems: We will discuss the effects of menopause on women, and how to deal with the symptoms associated with it. 4. Pregnancy and health care: We will talk about planning for pregnancy, health care during pregnancy, and problems such as nausea and back pain. READ MORE https://lnkd.in/ehSP3cKZ

📖 Here’s our little dictionary for YOU! 👇 🔎 Menopause: The natural end of menstruation, typically occurring around the age of 50, marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. 🔎 Perimenopause: The transitional phase leading up to menopause, characterised by hormonal fluctuations and irregular menstrual cycles. 🔎 Hot flashes: Sudden feelings of intense heat and sweating, often accompanied by flushing of the face and neck, commonly experienced during menopause. 🔎 Night sweats: Episodes of excessive sweating during sleep, often associated with hot flashes and disrupting sleep patterns. 🔎 Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Medical treatment involving the administration of hormones (such as oestrogen and progesterone) to alleviate menopausal symptoms and reduce the risk of certain health conditions. 🔎 Oestrogen: A female sex hormone responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining reproductive health, levels of which decline during menopause. 🔎 Progesterone: Another female sex hormone that works in conjunction with oestrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and support pregnancy. 🔎 Bone density: The measure of bone strength and density, which may decrease during menopause due to hormonal changes, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. 🔎 Vasomotor symptoms: Symptoms related to the dilation and constriction of blood vessels, such as hot flashes and night sweats, commonly experienced during menopause. 🔎 Mood swings: Emotional fluctuations, including irritability, anxiety, and depression, often associated with hormonal changes during menopause. 🧠 Understanding terminology associated with menopause can help you navigate your research and help you ask the right questions. We have compiled some key terms to help you decode the language of menopause. 🔐 🔗 Head over to our website to learn about how we are breaking the stigma in the workplace https://lnkd.in/dHidK57R #menopauseawareness #menopauseterms #terminology #womenatwork #healthcare

Re-sharing because this list got so many comments and we all know the Silly Season is a melting pot for meno symptoms ⬆️⬆️⬆️!!! -> 5 game-changing books about Menopause. I was chatting to the Mum of one of my daughter’s friends the other day about her stress levels and I asked if she had considered stress and stress tolerance in relationship to perimenopause. Like me, before I hit 47 and was blindsided by what I now know to be perimenopause symptoms, she looked at me with that “wth are you talking about?” look on her face. Now, I am well aware that not everyone wants to be speaking so openly about “female stuff” especially when we don’t know each other well, AND I also feel like it is my duty as a fellow sister to flag something as potentially helpful if and when I can. The more we chatted, the more she nodded along, the more interested she became, and when it was time to part company, she asked if there were any books I could recommend as a starting point. well well well, being an avid reader, I wanted to give her approximately 28939 billion titles, but I resisted. Here’s the top 5 game-changing books on Meno I sent her way: 1. Wise Power: Discover the Liberating Power of Menopause to Awaken Authority, Purpose and Belonging by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer - loved this one for making me feel seen around my need to cleave away everything no longer important or necessary for me in the last 18 months, sees meno transition through a powerful natural and normal lens 2. Hormone Repair Manual: Every Woman’s Guide to Healthy Hormones after 40 by Natuorpath and Hormone Specialist Lara Briden - brilliant overview of female reproductive health and the impacts of hormone imbalance, covers natural and lifestyle advice as well as how to speak to your doctor about other medical treatments 3. The M Word: How to thrive in menopause by TV Celebrity doctor and specialist menopause GP Dr Ginni Mansberg - Ginni has the knack of covering all the different symptoms in a grounded, down-to-earth kind of way and shares her approach to treating menopause transition in her Sydney GP practice 4. The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond by Dr Louann Brizedine - neuropsychiatrist covering the way our brains change for the better in midlife - so good for not feeling like you are “losing your marbles” if you are suffering cognitive and memory changes right now. 5. Second Spring: The self-care guide to menopause by Kate Codrington - I loved this book so much, and still dive in and out of the much-dog-eared pages full of self-care practises to help you make this transition with more ease and grace. I would love to know, are there other books that changed the game for your menopause education and transition? x Kylie