In this episode we discuss the important role that community pharmacists (CPs) play in everyday frontline healthcare. To help us take a deep dive into this multifaceted role we were delighted to be joined by Rebecca Wicks, a clinical Pharmacist who specialises in Menopause & Lifestyle Medicine.

After listening to this episode you’ll realise why, at the start, we mentioned that the praises of these multitasking ‘ninjas’ are not sung nearly enough!

There’s so much going on behind the scenes, which many will be unaware of, from dispensing, supporting staff, checking prescriptions, managing orders flying in, to then coping with the ever-increasing walk-ins seeking advice and information.

Being easily accessible they can often be the first point of call resulting in a relentless juggling act trying to meet patient’s expectations alongside constantly trying to full fill their own.

We cover what should be your reasonable expectations from a local pharmacy taking into account the natural disparity between pharmacies across the country. Menopause - wise, (at time of recording), within NHS run pharmacies there are no renumerated Menopause services. You will, however, often find pharmacists going the extra mile to provide information and options for managing symptoms.

We clarify the difference between CPs & Practice Pharmacists. We revisit the ever-expanding minefield of the supplement industry and what about HRT reviews?

Listen to realise the knock on effects which pharmacies experienced nationally when there was a sudden surge in raised awareness and requests for HRT. Absolutely fantastic to raise awareness but unfortunately resulted in triggering an unprecedented reaction for those working on the frontline…maybe a small nod in the direction of a collaborative conversation wouldn’t go amiss in future!

By the end of this episode we hope you come away with a newfound respect for the role that CPs play as trusted health advisors and providers within our communities and a realisation that things like shortages of medications can be just as frustrating for them as for patients. As always an interesting listen and if you’re a CP seeking further training within the area of Women’s Health, we cover that too! Finally, listen out for our “nugget of knowledge”, with some important advice that is more relevant today than ever before!

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Migraines are an incredibly debilitating symptom. What’s it all about, is there a link with the menopause transition and if so, what can we do about it?

To help us make sense of everything we were delighted to be joined by Professor Anne MacGregor who specialises in headaches & migraines, alongside women’s health. During this episode Anne dispels myths and misinformation, breaks everything down into factual, relatable nuggets of information providing anyone listening with practical and logical ways to manage this symptom.

A perimenopausal headache is debilitating enough but a migraine is quite a different matter, leaving you feeling like you’ve been ‘run through a mangle’…has to be the quote of the series! If you’re postmenopausal don’t worry that’s covered too.

Did you know there’s more than one type? We cover migraines with aura, migraines without aura and then a migraine aura without a headache…I know, there’s a bit of a range. Being completely unpredictable, they can result in people not being able to function properly, can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and then there’s raised sensitivity to your bodies senses usually followed by feeling absolutely wiped out.

Anne and Heather clarify what’s happening to your hormone levels during the perimenopause – back to the hormonal storm going on, with wonky hormones, and spiking hormones creating havoc. Unsurprisingly migraines are roughly three times more common in women than men!

So, how do you cope with them…if you’re struggling with these symptoms this is really worth a listen.

Anne covers lifestyle factors, highlighting how the brain reacts to these whilst knocking a few myths on the head. Interestingly, did you know migraines are linked to gut dysfunction? Heather and Anne also clarify the facts about the pros and cons of using HRT or the combined contraception pill to help manage symptoms.

We touch on alternative, over the counter options and end with one of the most effective ways to manage this symptom…yes you’ll have to listen to find out!

As always please share the link of our podcast to friends, family and colleagues who you know might find the topics we cover not only relevant but interesting. Thank you.

Special Guest: Professor Anne MacGregor

Anne is a Specialist in Headache and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. She has a clinical NHS post at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, and an academic post in Neuroscience at Queen Mary, University of London. Her research and clinical work bridges neurology and reproductive healthcare and her Doctoral thesis explored the role of oestrogen in menstrual migraine. She has received the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Award, awarded to a woman whose work over time has made an extraordinary contribution to those affected by the burden of headache, the International Headache Society Special Recognition Award, and the 2022 American Headache Society Women’s Health Science Award.

Audio engineer & Assistant producer: Gregor Reid

Useful links & resources:

• National Migraine Centre https://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/
• Migraine Trust https://migrainetrust.org/
• Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18-WHC-FACTSHEET-Migraine-and-HRT-NOV2023-B.pdf
• British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians
• Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk
• Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk
• NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

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Raising awareness… generating interest…providing education…we have seen a huge change in recent years amongst men with many genuinely seeking more information on how best to support partners at home and colleagues within the workplace.

There is, however, always room for improvement!

To help us discuss this important topic we’re delighted to have on as a guest Nic Elliot who wears two hats at Actons Solicitors as the HR director and as head of the employment law team. He interestingly had an overwhelming response to a post he put up on LinkedIn about the Menopause, opening up a place where numerous people felt comfortable to share their personal experiences, whether supporting partners & colleagues or experiencing the Menopause themselves.

This was a refreshingly open & honest conversation about the impact menopause can have on relationships, the strain it can cause, and how best to navigate what can often be a turbulent time for everyone.

Then there’s the additional challenges within the workplace, especially as a male manager. Suggestions as to what can help and should training on the menopause become mandatory? We also touch on the new Menopause Action Plans coming into play in 2026...all very interesting.

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During this episode Heather and our guest Dr Clare Spencer do an amazing job of simplifying this incredibly complex topic. You might be thinking…mmm…not the sexiest topic to listen to but, please do because by the end not only will you have a greater understanding about blood tests but you’ll also be reminded about a few basics - understanding how other unmeasurable factors influence your symptoms as those hormones merrily fluctuate away and why it’s so important to disentangle how you really feel during this hormonal storminess.

Heather and Clare drill down into the nitty gritty. dispelling myths and misinformation along the way and give invaluable insight into a very misunderstood topic.

So, would you ever measure hormone levels? If so, is there a right time, what about age factors, what are they actually testing for, how accurate is it, what about absorption levels, are there target levels to aim for, how do you interpret a result, where do environmental factors & genetics come in, how best to avoid tachyphylaxis and what about prescribing HRT for bone health? I know, they cover a lot…we told you it was worth a listen!

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Getting a good night’s sleep…something we all need to prioritise for our health & wellbeing, but especially if we’re going through, (what can be), a turbulent hormonal transition – the Menopause.

When we hit those zzzs there’s a lot going on - a multitude of restorative processes…tissue growth & repair, brain recovery & rest, memory consolidation…an endless list.

Your job is to give your body chance to get that good night’s sleep.

Whether you’re struggling to maintain consistent sleep patterns or not this is a must listen. It’s incredibly interesting and informative with lots of practical tips & sleep hacks throughout. The key as always - you have to put a bit of effort in yourself!

Understanding the different stages of an average sleep cycle, the do’s & don’ts of catnapping, the myths around sleep and what the term social jetlag means will encourage so many of you to start prioritising what some refer to as, the elixir of life!

To help us discuss this important topic we were delighted to be joined by experienced GP & registered Menopause specialist Dr. Zoe Schaedel who specialises in sleep medicine.

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Lifestyle medicine, how simple tweaks and nudges to lifestyle choices can have a huge impact on helping to manage symptoms associated with the menopause.

We invited Dr Barbara Phipps on to help us unpick what lifestyle medicine is all about. What are the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine which help support health & wellbeing…we discuss how they are all interconnected. It’s not a case of choosing one and discounting the others.

We discuss how making small steps with each of the pillars can be hugely important when going through the menopause, ones like nutrition and physical activity.

Tiny is mighty…incremental steps become sustainable and tend not to be overwhelming.

Listen to hear about Barbara’s ‘54321’ for helping to live in the moment and Heather’s advice of just giving your brain a rest.

Then there’s how socio-economic factors play a role, how CBT can be really helpful, what actually is the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and how to integrate lifestyle medicine into general practice…well worth a listen.

We’ve decided to switch it up a bit this series so, our Myth busting moments have now been replaced with Nuggets of Knowledge!

Dr Barbara Phipps is a GP who specialises in the care of people living with persistent pain.

In 2019, Barbara developed an innovative programme for patients in Edinburgh experiencing chronic pain, which is now funded by NHS Lothian. Her approach integrates neuroscience, lifestyle medicine, and patient empowerment to help individuals better understand and manage their symptoms.

Alongside her clinical work, Barbara serves as Deputy Director of Year 5 at Edinburgh Medical School and teaches on the MSc in Clinical Management of Pain at the University of Edinburgh. she is a Fellow of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

https://painplusscotland.co.uk/

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This episode we start the conversation about this incredibly challenging and often misunderstood topic. Much more work needs to be done in this area within communities and within healthcare. To help us navigate our way through the many issues women can face we are delighted to welcome onto the podcast Dr Shasi Prasad a GP, BMS accredited Advanced Menopause Specialist and Women’s Integrative & Functional Medicine Doctor.

Useful links & resources:

· Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

· British Menopause society: https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20-BMS-TfC-Menopause-in-ethnic-minority-women-JULY2023-B.pdf

· Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

· Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

· NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

· National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/recommendations

Dr Shashi Prasad is a GP, BMS accredited Advanced Menopause Specialist and Women’s Integrative & Functional Medicine Doctor. She is involved in raising menopause awareness in all ethnic communities to help equalise the disparity in menopause care. She has produced a toolkit for the British Menopause Society- “Menopause in Ethnic Minority” which has been published in “The Post reproductive Journal”.

She is a member of Royal College of General Practitioners, British Menopause Society, International Menopause Society and Institute of Functional Medicine.

She runs menopause clinics in New Malden, South West London & in Harley Street: https://www.drshashiprasad.com/

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Continuing the conversation we started in Series 3 episode 5 about the 5 gynaecological cancers, this episode we delve into the complex topics of taking HRT after having cancer, why some women might consider having risk reducing surgery, when is it appropriate to get tested for altered genes and how would you know. To chat through these topics with us and much more we are delighted to welcome back onto the podcast Tracie Miles from the Eve Appeal.

Useful links and resources:

· The Eve Appeal : www.eveappeal.org.uk

· The Protector trial: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/fmd/research/protector/

· Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

· British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians

· Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

· Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

· NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

Tracie Miles

Tracie’s nursing career over four decades has focused in the main on gynaecology , specifically oncology , with 28 years as a gynae - oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, complimented by a senior role in cancer genomics within the new NHS services.

Tracie is a member of various all party parliamentary committees, NICE specialist committees looking at women’s health, is a Cochrane reviewer and has published nationally/ internationally on gynae cancers and genomics.

Tracie is a senior lecturer at the University West of England, her passion for translating knowledge, advances in science into practice is satisfied in her role as Information Nurse Consultant to the Eve Appeal, the Gynaecology Cancer Research Charity.

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