Why is Pharmac only funding one brand of patch bad news? Pharmac funds 1 brand of medication, with respect to transdermal estradiol, since 2016 this was Estradot patches. The patch shortage led Pharmac to kindly fund other options. However, because most users were stable on Estradot, then had to change we got to understand that we CANNOT dismiss the type of patch BECAUSE well-being changed. I have experienced people being advised that their symptoms are not hormonal, but when they are given a different preparation/patch they ‘get better’. Reproductive hormones provide everyone with a different hormone journey. Therefore it makes sense that everyone needs a choice to fit their needs. Also importantly we need education and research to prevent further misunderstanding of Womens health needs.

A birthday treat! As a contractor at a place of work with predominantly employees I elected to align with their values of birthday off and treat myself. It meant I got to enjoy watching wonderfully happy faces and baby ducks!

I have tried to explain my thoughts about Mylan being the only patch available

Coming up this week! Menopause and Our Mahi Mitigate the impact of menopause in the workplace. Thursday 21.11.2024 | 5.30pm - 7.00pm Te Rae, Hastings or online via Zoom Recording available afterwards Join Dr Samantha Newman for an empowering talk for staff and managers about why menopause is important, what aspects are most likely to cause challenges at work and ideas for managing them. Dr Sam looks at the science behind menopause, how women's wellbeing and productivity might be impacted, and shares practical tips to help. Learn about: ⭐Why menopause is important - The symptoms of menopause are often not recognised - 84% of women experienced symptoms that impact on their work - 67% employers feel women 45-55 make an important contribution to their business - 70% self-reported reduction in productivity - 10% resign ⭐The benefits of identifying and acting early ⭐Is it burn out or is it hormones? ⭐How education and treatment can help ⭐Strategies to consider in your workplace ⭐It's not all bad news! The silver linings Menopause has a high risk of being a huge challenge, but with appropriate identification and support that it doesn’t need to be feared! �A proportion of the profits will go to Rose Gold Trust, a local women's health charity. Buy tickets ($65 or 20% off for 5 or more) https://events.humanitix.com/menopause-and-our-mahi

Thanks to the Breeze for having me on the show this morning. Menopause and Our Mahi tickets link in bio!

👋Employers, this is why you need to attend Menopause and our Mahi! The talk will be really beneficial for managers and staff as well. Menopause and Our Mahi Mitigate the impact of menopause in the workplace Thursday 21.11.2024 | 5.30pm - 7.00pm Te Rae, Hastings or online via Zoom Recording available afterwards Join Dr Samantha Newman for an empowering talk for staff and managers about why menopause is important, what aspects are most likely to cause challenges at work and ideas for managing them. Dr Sam looks at the science behind menopause, how women's wellbeing and productivity might be impacted, and shares practical tips to help. Learn about: ⭐Why menopause is important -The symptoms of menopause are often not recognised -84% of women experienced symptoms that impact on their work -67% employers feel women 45-55 make an important contribution to their business -70% self-reported reduction in productivity -10% resign ⭐The benefits of identifying and acting early ⭐Is it burn out or is it hormones? ⭐How education and treatment can help ⭐Strategies to consider in your workplace ⭐It's not all bad news! The silver linings Menopause has a high risk of being a huge challenge, but with appropriate identification and support that it doesn’t need to be feared! � A proportion of the profits will go to Rose Gold Trust, a women's health charity. Buy tickets ($65, 20% for 5 or more tickets) here: https://events.humanitix.com/menopause-and-our-mahi

Menopause and Our Mahi Mitigate the impact of menopause in the workplace. Thursday 21.11.2024 | 5.30pm - 7.00pm Te Rae, Hastings or online via Zoom Recording available afterwards Join Dr Samantha Newman for an empowering talk for staff and managers about why menopause is important, what aspects are most likely to cause challenges at work and ideas for managing them. Dr Sam looks at the science behind menopause, how women's wellbeing and productivity might be impacted, and shares practical tips to help. Learn about: ⭐Why menopause is important - The symptoms of menopause are often not recognised - 84% of women experienced symptoms that impact on their work - 67% employers feel women 45-55 make an important contribution to their business - 70% self-reported reduction in productivity - 10% resign ⭐The benefits of identifying and acting early ⭐Is it burn out or is it hormones? ⭐How education and treatment can help ⭐Strategies to consider in your workplace ⭐It's not all bad news! The silver linings Menopause has a high risk of being a huge challenge, but with appropriate identification and support that it doesn’t need to be feared! � A proportion of the profits will go to Rose Gold Trust, a women's health charity. Buy tickets ($65, 20% for 5 or more tickets) here: https://events.humanitix.com/menopause-and-our-mahi

Fresh air, exercise, hanging with my mini me and now a cup of tea and the weekend. When I was a second year Hpuse officer I bills eyed the windscreen of a van by crashing my bike outside the Hammersmith hospital and was a trauma call.. where my friend cut off my sports bra 🤦‍♀️ Anyway, I was fine, it was character building using a commode and my fairly new boyfriend dropping me at my mums so she could look after me. But the point of this is- I’m way less confident on a bike. But, I just did the school pick up on my bike! I can’t say I didn’t overreact when there was some road crossing (on the other side of the road…) but we made it. ☕️🫖. Have a lovely weekend! Will be updating you all shortly with some progress … !!

I think this is a pretty massive statistic! Especially when perimenopause symptoms can start from mid to late 30s and last beyond menopause (average age 51.5). That sounds scary but I have ideas to help. Come along to Menopause and our Mahi to learn the science behind menopause, how women's wellbeing and productivity might be impacted around this time, practical strategies to put in place at your workplace. Useful for both managers and staff. Menopause and Our Mahi Mitigate the impact of menopause in the workplace. Thursday 21.11.2024 | 5.30pm - 7.00pm Te Rae, Hastings or online via Zoom Recording available afterwards Buy tickets ($65, 20% for 5 or more tickets) here: https://events.humanitix.com/menopause-and-our-mahi

Menopause and Our Mahi Mitigate the impact of menopause in the workplace. Thursday 21.11.2024 | 5.30pm - 7.00pm Te Rae, Hastings or online via Zoom Recording available afterwards Buy tickets ($65, 20% for 5 or more tickets) here: https://events.humanitix.com/menopause-and-our-mahi

Menopause and Our Mahi Mitigate the impact of menopause in the workplace. Thursday 21.11.2024 | 5.30pm - 7.00pm Te Rae, Hastings or online via Zoom Recording available afterwards Join Dr Samantha Newman for an empowering talk for staff and managers about why menopause is important, what aspects are most likely to cause challenges at work and ideas for managing them. Dr Sam looks at the science behind menopause, how women's wellbeing and productivity might be impacted, and shares practical tips to help. Learn about: ⭐Why menopause is important - The symptoms of menopause are often not recognised - 84% of women experienced symptoms that impact on their work - 67% employers feel women 45-55 make an important contribution to their business - 70% self-reported reduction in productivity - 10% resign ⭐The benefits of identifying and acting early ⭐Is it burn out or is it hormones? ⭐How education and treatment can help ⭐Strategies to consider in your workplace ⭐It's not all bad news! The silver linings Menopause has a high risk of being a huge challenge, but with appropriate identification and support that it doesn’t need to be feared! �A proportion of the profits will go to Rose Gold Trust, a women's health charity. Buy tickets ($65 or 20% off for 5 or more) here: https://events.humanitix.com/menopause-and-our-mahi

When over 2000 people couldn’t access their medication 20% of teachers and nurses had to take time off work. 85% had their emotional well-being impacted. 1 in 5 had to visit more than 5 pharmacies searching for what they needed. This is why today, is a good day.

After great reviews from Dr Sam’s sold-out workplace talk from September, she’s back with version 2.0. Menopause and Our Mahi Mitigate the impact of menopause in the workplace. Thursday 21.11.2024 | 5.30pm - 7.00pm Te Rae, Hastings or online via Zoom Recording available afterwards Join Dr Samantha Newman for an empowering talk for staff and managers about why menopause is important, what aspects are most likely to cause challenges at work and ideas for managing them. Dr Sam looks at the science behind menopause, how women's wellbeing and productivity might be impacted, and shares practical tips to help. Learn about: ⭐️Why menopause is important - The symptoms of menopause are often not recognised - 84% of women experienced symptoms that impact on their work - 67% employers feel women 45-55 make an important contribution to their business - 70% self-reported reduction in productivity - 10% resign ⭐The benefits of identifying and acting early ⭐Is it burn out or is it hormones? ⭐How education and treatment can help ⭐Strategies to consider in your workplace ⭐It's not all bad news! The silver linings Menopause has a high risk of being a huge challenge, but with appropriate identification and support that it doesn’t need to be feared! �A proportion of the profits will go to Rose Gold Trust, a women's health charity. Buy tickets ($65) from humanitix - link in bio

🐶🦴🐾 Dogs are medicine… they really are part of the family! 10 years are we got George. I had always wanted a dog, or a real live teddy bear! But I never could have imagined how much it would have changed my life. It hasn’t always been easy, I’ve had to learn a lot, but over the last 10 years George has been by us every step. I love having him in clinic.. it’s amazing how much happier he makes patients, and how he knows when they just need a cuddle! I never used to really understand that love for a pet. When patients have been through challenges with their animal, I know they are often hesitate to really express how it has been, but the relief when they know I’m there with them. Georgie thanks for picking us, and for looking after us… I hope we have many more years to come. And now, let us get your lead, get our heart rates up and me some vitamin D. Happy long weekend everyone and if you have any pet photos share away! ♥️❤️🐾🐾

Thank you Melbourne! As per usual I set my productivity goals and to do list wayyyy higher than was actually possible. But, I did achieve the top of my list… and it was all about connections!! I got to build on the knowledge connecting hormones and mental and physical health, enabling me to have even more confidence about prescribing hormones in situations where it is likely to be beneficial, but also to connect with some of my role models. And to talk to them about what my thoughts were, and ask them questions!!! I never thought I would be able to have challenging, progressive, novel conversations with the experts in the field on how to improve Womens health, particularly with a focus on menopause. I’m excited to build on those relationships over the next weeks, months and years. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. But, some of these things are worth sprinting for! High five 🙌

Hormones are the chemicals that drive, modulate and control the body. For females after 30yo there are changes in these messengers, which can create multiple symptoms that can lead to uncertainty and confusion. I love identifying when symptoms are from hormones or not. Then you can improve not only your wellbeing, but also that of your whanau too. To find out more: www.femalegp.co.nz or www.femalegp.co.nz/all (for the course)

Jump 🦘 🦴for your bones ♥️for your heart 🧠 for your brain 😍 for you!! Jumping is a powerful exercise that strengthens bones by increasing bone density making stronger bones and helping to prevent osteoporosis. it also improves muscle strength and power, helping to maintain mobility and reduce the risk of falls as we age! 🦴💪

Is it hormones? It’s about taking a hormonal history. Then we can appropriately and successfully treat reproductive and perimenopausal depression. Professor Kulkarni and Caroline Gurvich beautifully highlighting the role of hormones, depression and perimenopause. Depression in perimenopause is NOT the same as major depressive disorder. It does not have the same symptoms. Perimenopause depression commonly involves anxiety, sleep disturbance, irritability, impulsivity, and also loss of confidence, concentration and memory struggles. This is why we have difficulties and why I believe it is misdiagnosed in practice. Patients and clinicians need to work together. This is why I made my leaflet to help gather the evidence.

Excited to learn, and develop and connect and consolidate. And then we will come back and share even more. Super excited to strengthen bonds with both local colleagues and International

You know you have the best cousin ever when you come to Melbourne and this is your evening entertainment. A perfect International Menopause Eve entertainment 🎶🎵🎶❤️

Testogel…. Should I shouldn’t I. Do I don’t I? Either way it’s an individual opinion and question and research and experience need to be personalised. Androfem is unfunded, and the female preparation of testosterone. Testogel is funded, a male preparation and a much bigger dose than Androfem. But, if having testosterone can dramatically improve someone’s life and wellbeing, but affordability is a barrier.. what do you do? It’s individual, it’s personal but any which way safety is the BIGGEST priority. And when a patient attended clinic with flowers and wanted me to show them how to use Testogel… I was very happy to have the opportunity to photo the product

COUNTDOWN… The poster is done. And I’m being made to sit down for my annual (?!?) hair dresser visit! Next week I’ll be off to Melbourne, and il excited to learn more and chat with the experts! I’ve been working super hard in the background and it’s amazing to start seeing things coming together. And, I’m proud to say- I’m not here to cover up the grey 😀

@the_playful_place and I are aware of the need for us to play! So last night we went to support one of our community and watched Jersey Boys. Oh my goodness the work that went in to that performance. Disclaimer: we met for dinner 2 hours before and chatted (work!)… 😀 I feel super lucky to be able to work and hang with other professionals in the Bay!

Peter Attia talked about training in life to ensure what you can do later. One of my 10 activities will be walking. If I want to go on hikes when I’m 90yo, I need to be doing it now. So, today we walked almost 21k, and I made my husband walk quicker than 6k per hour on the ‘easy bits’. #centuriondecathlon #peterattiamd

Off to get curry, and maybe a run while I’m waiting for it to be cooked! 2 presents and a TikTok live in one day! And a hugeeeee thank you to my patients who were there and sent comments of support ❤️❤️ PS I actually enjoyed it (well, I suppose I do love talking about Womens health!)

Is it hormones? Why isn't HRT/MHT working? It's not a one stop shop, it isn't a case of handing out lollies. HRT isn't one size fits all. Understand your needs, and then you can understand your medication, and also appropriate expectations. I want everyone to feel better. HRT is a game changer for many conditions, but not all. But I do believe, if it's safe to do so, a trial of HRT should be offered. And, it maybe that even a 10% improvement is good enough for you.

Woop Woop!!!!!! From 1st Nov oestrogel will be funded. Thanks so much everyone!!!! Still need to officially share the survey findings- but I shared with Pharmac that ➡️ 86% of users of estrogen patches had decrease in emotional well being with patch shortage ➡️over 70% worsening of physical symptoms ➡️and 20% of both teachers and nurses had to take time off work due to patch shortages ➡️ and for doctors 82% reported the shortages had impacted their emotional wellbeing and 32% their ability to work ….. and more! https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2024-09-decision-to-fund-oestradiol-gel-and-to-award-principal-supply-status-to-estrogel Thanks to everyone far and wide who championed the cause! And also, I’m pleased to hear that the Pharmac statement also includes improved education for oestrogel guidance 🎉🎊🍾👏🥂 Sam

The little glimmers of the rainbow in the mirror. And the happiness of whānau time at school singing yesterday ☺️

What an honour to watch the tamariki sing! Such joy and happiness 😀❤️ Such a beautiful venue @toitoivenues Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers for giving them this opportunity! Hoping I’ll be back to watch next year 😜💖

The impact of hormones. Word is spreading. Share your story and together we can make things better 😀

📣 Current patients, you're invited to Dr Sam's next small group patient talk: Being Strong In this talk she will delve into: 💪Why we need to be strong, physically and mentally 💪The science behind how our bodies use/store energy 💪What changes in midlife 💪How we can help protect ourselves from osteoporosis and insulin resistance, and optimise metabolism 💪Practical exercise, nutrition and other lifestyle tips you can bring into your every day 💪Setting yourself up for success There will be time for questions and discussion, or feel free to email through any questions in advance with your RSVP. Location: Kōwhai Clinic - 140 Carlyle Street Date: Thursday, 12 September Time: 4.30 - 5.30pm Cost: $50.00 Only a few spots left so please RSVP to hello@femalegp.co.nz to register or register your interest for upcoming workshops. Also, if you have any topic requests for our next workshop, please pop it in the comments below or send it to us!

A beatific Napier morning, coffee in hand, ready to korero about hormones!! What a way for over 200 locals to start the day 😀

This is why it isn't 'just' a prescription for HRT or just menopause and why we need to understand the what how why and more....

Something that makes life liveable isn’t a lifestyle choice, it’s a necessity. It also shows how we need to think of hormones differently as I see this in many many women. Estrogen is needed for living and some people need theirs to have a little bit more support

Gym ✔️ Protein on board ✔️ Coffee hot ✔️ scones in the oven… rain coming 😜 Happy Saturday

Iron deficiency- does it matter if you are an athlete or not? I want everyone to be their best selves. Low serum ferritin (<20 public health guidelines, <50/70 in my world!) can cause many symptoms. And some people are more sensitive to it than others. Athletes are usually pushing their bodies physically and mentally huge amounts so the physical impact can be more marked (eg fatigue/shortness of breath/recurrent infections. But I believe everyone should have the opportunity to feel their best. At perimenopause (and puberty) when periods are often heavier iron deficiency is more common. Many women don’t want to take medications, but antiflammatories can decrease menstrual blood flow my 40%! Imagine if you can save that much iron!!! Tip of the day- take your high dose naproxen/ibuprofen/mefanamic acid 48h before your period starts (if possible) for maximal effect

I don’t know how I am going to sleep! What an honour to be invited to share my knowledge on hormones and health to the role models of Aotearoa. Thank you for having me, for listening, and encouraging me, and for the beautiful waiata ☺️ Ngā mihi Nui xx @blackferns #blackferns

Win access to the first course on our learning platform All About Us for you and a friend! In "Is It Hormones" Dr Sam walks you through what goes on in perimenopause, how to spot if your symptoms might be due to your hormones, some of the options available to help, and how to communicate these with your health team. Super valuable information for anyone heading towards their mid-30's onwards, or in the thick of perimenopause and beyond. To be in to win: 💫Like FemaleGP 💫Tag a friend you'd share the other copy with (each separate comment counts as an entry) 💫There are two copies up for grabs on Facebook too so head on over for extra entries Find out more about the course through the link in bio or type course in a comment below and we'll dm you the link 📨

In my mind I don’t see how just stating we need gels actually cuts it to be honest. The survey showed that 70% of women had worsening symptoms through changes in patches brand and dose against their choice. If he recognised his email and comments were likely to not be what I was hoping for why didn’t he offer to take me more seriously? I suppose he is busy and has better priorities than ensuring 20% of the teaching workforce who are on HRT are able to still work… am I just being naive in this “public health disaster” has enabled us to appreciate the real impact of hormones. Right whānau we need to take this up a notch…

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/what-you-need-to-know-about-hormone-replacement-therapy-and-if-its-right-for-you-the-little-things/2PAJLIMM2VDF5HF3JFU2UY7G44/

Are we overdiagnosing perimenopause? Or underdiagnosing hormone conditions? Because appropriate diagnosis of the cause is what leads to appropriate management and improved wellbeing. The Australasian Menopause Society have released a statement saying that perimenopause can only be diagnosed as begining with changes to the menstrual cycle as defined by the STRAW criteria ("perimenopause starts when there are persistent differences in cycle length of seven or more days between consecutive cycles") Do we need to treat the diagnosis? Or the woman?

Why does the estrogen patch shortage matter? In New Zealand, the only funded form of transdermal estradiol is the patch. In some areas of New Zealand this was completely inaccessible. Many people went without. This has been known about for 4 years. As a doctor I can't tell patient stories. But I can share the results of a survey which tells over 2000 stories. In fact, I can stand up in front of a room of hundreds of people and share them. This is why the survey was needed. I needed a way to support not only my patients and their whānau but all the others who are currently suffering, and prevent future suffering. Yes, we need more patches, and more options in general would help considerably. But the shortage has highlighted the huge shortfall in overall hormonal health. The dismissal of women, the extra time taken, the cost, the extra appointments, the relationship struggles, and the list goes on. And the ironic thing is, if womens health was better managed, the improvement in many aspects of society would follow suit. I've always said that if people don't know the benefits of something then the risks are often too huge. I hope that this survey doesn't only show the current challenges, but is a way to see how much this treatment changes lives. So yes, there are risks. There are risks with everything. But so many women told us they get their lives back. I don't believe you can get a bigger benefit than that. Be it New Zealand or the world supply issue, when something has this much of an incredible impact, something has to be done. Now. Please fill in this link for Pharmac regarding your support for Oestrogel funding: https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/proposal-to-fund-oestradiol-gel-and-to-award-principal-supply-status-to-estrogel/feedback-on-oestradiol-gel-consultation @drcericashell @otepoti_integrative_health @menopause_doctor @drstacysims @lorettalovesbroncos @erhassociatesnz @thenutritionclinichawkesbay @nu.balm @heramenopause @drsunitachelva @drmenopausenz @menodoctor @fertilityassociatesnz @genderjusticecollective @nzkatienimon @littleandfox @brittinbuilders @baybuzzhb @napiercity @gilmourspharmacy

I did it! It was pretty obvious I was terrified! But seriously, I knew I had to. I had done the survey for a reason, to collect and share stories. Not only was this question for help for the Minister for Health, but there were hundreds of healthcare professionals listening too. It sounds weird, but I kinda felt a sense of responsibility… So, I got a reply about the worldwide shortage and I HAD to stand up again and say this is not just a patch issue. We need to listen to these stories and make a change. Aotearoa has shown us the impact. We need to respond to it. Just because the guidelines are behind the time and don’t reflect the stories. The stories of prior improvement and validation, as HRT gave people their lives back, but the change in medication and lack of medication is threatening that whānau will be affected. The return of joy is now being met with fear and uncertainty. We need to provide a better understanding and support. The HRT shortages are more than just difficulties, or worrying. Women are suffering. Whānau are suffering. Over 2 weeks 2300 shared their stories. Their experiences of suicidality, inability to work, financial decisions of whether to support their own health or put kai on the table for the whānau made for a really humbling read. Due to the shortages 85% of respondents reported a decrease in emotional wellbeing. But the hormone prescription is specific and personalised. 70% had experiences deterioration in wellbeing due to medication changes and 44% preferred Estradot. Our workforce is affected. 18% of respondents have had to take time off of work. In a health setting, a health system with a struggling workforce (with high rates of burn out in women in mid life!) 20% of nurses had already taken time off of work and 32% of doctors found their ability to work decreased. This is not just a failure of production and planning issue Our community need validating, and we all need leaders to guide the research and education to move Aotearoa forward. The stories have the ideas and the evidence. Please listen to us….

It is ALL ABOUT ESTROGEN!! Luke Bradford, the Medical Director of the Royal College of GPs has been replying to my emails requesting support about the Estrogen patch shortage. He suggested that I may be able to help question Shane Reti (Minister for Health) at the GP Conference in Wellington. I can’t miss the opportunity to spread the word. My question is planned. Wish me luck 🤞

Dog walk musings... Mental health and hormonal health are so intertwined. Did you know rates of depression double for teenage girls, and outweigh that of boys 2-1? How could we support our young women to understand their cycle and be aware of their symptoms, empower them to seek help when needed and have support systems in place? Also the knowledge and power this would give them when tackling hormonal changes later in life as well. Food for thought! Would love to hear what you think?

I took this photo at Huka Falls on our whānau trip in the school holidays. I loved the rainbow and it reminded me of the concept of looking out for glimmers - simple, little things which bring joy and calm to our day. It's suggested that they bring a sense of connection and regulation to the body which cues the nervous system to move into a parasympathetic state. This is the opposite of fight or flight, a calm state of "rest and digest" and decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Other things we can do to activate our parasympathetic nervous sysyem include: 🚶🏾‍♀️Mild excercise - walking, yoga 💨Breathing exercises - even just noticing your breathing and trying to breathe out for longer than you're breathing in 🧘🏼‍♀️Meditation, mindfulness 🌿Spending time in nature - green spaces or near bodies of water Has anyone got any of these (or other ideas!) built into their day?

Thank you to everyone who came along to my first patient talk this evening. I hope you've taken away a better understanding of how your body works, what changes around midlife, and ideas to implement in your day to day to help you stay healthy and strong. We'll get the resource sheet out to you ASAP but in the meantime, here's the lentil pasta we spoke about which has 28.8g of protein per serving 👌 What topic should we do next?? Let us know in the comments or drop us a note!

PSA for current patients 📣 We're giving something new a go at FGP! Regular workshops/talks for a small group of current patients, in person at Kōwhai clinic. Just like in a consultation, I will talk through the science behind the topic, how that can impact your experience, and ideas for options which can help (and the reasons why others might not be helping). There will be time for questions and discussion, or feel free to email through any questions in advance with your RSVP. First up... Body composition changes in perimenopause and beyond. Ever wondered why your body shape may be changing despite eating or exercising the same? What causes our weight to redistribute around perimenopause? Learn why it's so much more complicated than calories in vs calories out and what we can do to stay strong and healthy. 👎 diet culture. 👍 body positivity. Location: 140 Carlyle Street Date: 18th July Time: 4.30 - 5.30pm Cost: $45.00 Seats are limited, so please RSVP to hello@femalegp.co.nz to save your spot, or register your interest for up coming workshops.

Is it hormones? In 2005 Dr Jerilyn Prior stated that if a midlife woman with regular periods has 3 out of the 9 symptoms you can diagnose perimenopause.

The data tells us confidence drops at menopause, and I see that in my patients. But if we know this is a possibility, we can prepare. If your confidence drops there are options which can help. Let's ensure that we can still do the things that make us happy and live our best lives!

Part 2 of my survey update. Thank you so much to everyone who responded! Watch this space

A wee update about the survey from Tūroa 🏔️⛷️ Pt 1

Oestrogel is NOT section 29 anymore. AND is available 😀 One step in the right direction

The @rosegoldtrust was set up to understand what our wāhine and community need. We see so many wāhine and whānau doing it alone. Trying to navigate and understand their sense of self in the constantly changing face of their hormones and society. #hotshots is our coffee group. Supported by a local cafe, that is way more than just a cafe @puawai.ahuriri where we want to create a space for needs to be met. When I go to Puāwai in the morning for a coffee, I come away with so much more than 'just a coffee'. At Rose Gold we want to share that, and to develop even more to share.

I often think hormones changes facilitate that vulnerability. I’m not (at all) menopausal (yet!), but since having my daughter I’ve had preperiod night sweats. And these worsen at times of life stress. Or get better when (often when I’m on holiday!) But for 2 weeks I have had worse ones than usual daily (and not because of a ‘bad infection’ in this case). Two days of afternoon sleeps, good Kai, and not even turning on my computer for work, and last night I was night sweat free! Obviously it’s really important to make sure that there isn’t something else going on etc, but for me, right now, this infection, a hospital admission and a theatre trip and anaesthetic clearly has been a lot! And now, 48 hours of down time.. and my brain fog is clearing and I didn’t wake up dripping wet (yuck!) I think it shows the intricate link between hormones, mental health and emotional well-being and how this manifests in our physical experience of the world. We have so much more to learn #healthyhormones

Selfcare day. I ended up in ED and theatre yesterday. Strange being on the other side! Pretty tired today and as I'm unable to work for 24h post general anaesthetic I spent the day being with my pups making them all fluffy.

Findings from the survey are highlighting what I am seeing in practice. No one will fund a medication if they don't know the benefits. Rates of depression soar in midlife. It is hormones. Therefore hormones are the best treatment. Most users have reported an improvement in mood/anxiety/brain fog. I can't wait to share the findings. HRT really is not a lifestyle choice. Still time to share your story: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/estrogen

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/estrogen

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/estrogen

Survey for HRT/MHT Users in Aotearoa: Assessing the Impact of Transdermal Estrogen Shortages There is a shortage of estradiol (estrogen) patches in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are a collective of healthcare professionals, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) / Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) users, researchers, and community members concerned about the impact of the shortage on HRT/MHT users and their families. We want to assess the experience of users to understand the issues around access to these medications, the impact of the shortage on physical and mental health, extra costs associated with the situation and the impact of this on family and the workplace. If you are a user of HRT and you are based in Aotearoa New Zealand, we would greatly appreciate your response to this survey. This will help us understand how people are affected, and advocate for improvements in services. The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. We appreciate the time taken for you to answer the questions and helping us to highlight whether estrogen patch users are being discriminated against. The survey link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/estrogen Please share the link and thank you for your support

It is more than just a choice to take estrogen for many people. It is a lifesaver. Physically and psychologically. Thanks for taking the time to talk Hannah and for supporting us. Looking forward to really highlighting the issues in this space and most importantly getting some answers AND SOLUTIONS. www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350295198/menopause-treatment-patch-supply-issue-crisis-point

Here it is, my first course on All About Us.... Is it Hormones? Preparing for an appointment 🥳 We go through the hormonal journey, what clues to look for that your symptoms might be hormonal, an overview of what lifestyle adjustments and medications are available which might help and what your next steps may be. If/when you're ready to see a health care professional - we look at what you can do before your appointment to prepare, what clues there are in your symptoms and previous experiences, how to communicate these. We have also made a handy workbook with prompts to write this all down (and so much more) to take in with you if you wish. Get 20% off using the coupon code: LAUNCH20 https://allaboutus.teachable.com/

My education platform "All About Us" is ready to go, and I'm so excited to be able to share it with you! The first course is LIVE (more about this in a sec) but I have the next course on Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT/HRT) in the works at the moment and so many more to come shortly after - I'll keep you in the loop. If you wanted to check it out, have a look here: https://allaboutus.teachable.com/ If you're a keen bean, use our coupon code: LAUNCH20 for 20% off our first course "Is it Hormones? Preparing for an Appointment" or the Menopause Matters Webinar.

It's International Women's Day and our Menopause Matters webinar tomorrow 🥳 Get your ticket here to join us (or watch the recording any time for the next month) https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/menopause-matters-tickets-841267041367

Our aims for Friday's Menopause Matters webinar and beyond. Please help us spread the word. Lets keep the conversation going ❤️

"Got to be prepared, got to have that knowledge on board" 👏 Janice Hemi https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/.../menopause-matters...

It's my goal to make knowledge about women's health relevant, applicable and accessible for the wāhine of Aotearoa, so I’m so excited to be bringing together Dr Nicky Keay and Dr Dr. Stacy Sims for a webinar on International Women’s Day! Discover the science behind your hormones and how understanding them can maximise your wellbeing - body and mind, especially as we head into perimenopause, te ruahinetanga [menopause], and beyond. We will discuss: -menopause as a normal part of the female hormone odyssey -ideas for what to do when symptoms impact your wellbeing -options available to help, including day to day changes, as well as the medical help available (including hormonal and non-hormonal medications). Friday 8th of March 8pm-9pm Zoom webinar - recording available to ticket holders for a month Tickets $25 or pay-what-you-can available from eventbrite (link in bio)

In case you missed it - this is Janice, who has helped to make the Menopause Matters webinar happen. Speaking about her experience and why we need to share more information.

🎄 6th December | Weight gain 🎄 ⚖ Weight gain is a really common concern for women in midlife . Our body changes, decreasing estradiol (and progesterone and testosterone) cause muscle bulk to decrease, insulin resistance and therefore increased fat. Insulin sensitivity means we store less as fat. We can do this by increasing our protein and weight training. If our hormones can't be the drivers, we need to adapt and use other tools! Our hormones have evolved to help us survive and reproduce: ▶ Premenstrual progesterone causes the body to crave carbohydrates to prepare for a pregnancy ▶ In pregnancy we become more insulin resistance, enabling the body to get more energy for the developing fetus, and prepare for breast feeding. ▶ Gestational diabetes is a risk factor for insulin resistance and diabetes 💪 But, if we know MUSCLE is increased by protein and being stressed (ie lifting heavy weights, and being fueled afterwards) this is what we HAVE TO do. It takes time, and adapting our day to day approach to life. And when we are not feeling ourselves this is often the last thing we feel like doing. Prioritise, make it easy for yourselves. If you can, start early. I started specific weight training 2 years ago. I knew that I needed to start building muscle EARLY, to prepare myself for menopause. Decreased muscle is a marker for poor health. The little things that give me clues as to your weight gain are post prandial fatigue, cravings, abdominal weight gain, change in your periods, low mood, PCOS.. We need more protein to support muscles. How have you increased protein in your diet? I'm looking for easy, protein rich recipes for myself, and to share with patients! What has made your life easier to increase your protein?!? One of my go to resources is the books by Dr. Stacy Sims. So I'm really excited to share that I'm doing an AMA with her (and Dr Lia) next week! Watch this space to find out more!

Day 5 | Anxiety I have learnt so much from my patients. I wonder how many mood disorders are actually hormone related... Why I feel this needs to be shared is because of the positive response that addressing hormones can have. Mental ill-health worsens at the reproductive transitions, so clearly there is a relationship with mood, brain function and HORMONES! This doesn't have to be a worry, because we can manage it, we can understand, we can support it. I don't want to see women after years of anxiety, low mood, leaving work. This is why we need to pick up the clues earlier on. I did my BSc in Neuroscience, and a research project at the Haemophilia Centre in London on Heavy periods. It's funny how you look back and things suddenly make sense.. I have always been interested in how the brain works, and the impact it has. HRT is not a quick fix. Some studies show that higher doses of estradiol are needed, and also it takes 3 months to saturate estrogen receptors. Other things that challenge mood in midlife include ▶ body pain/headaches ▶ poor sleep and fatigue ▶ suboptimal diet ▶ calorie restriction to lose weight ▶ iron deficiency ▶ body challenges ▶ palpitations And some of these challenges may have been seen at earlier stages of life. They are the clues too. Seeing women earlier in their perimenopause journey, and discovering their 'new' anxiety is 'only' for 1 day pre-period, can be so empowering. This one day can be manageable, adaptable, doesn't need to be medicalised. But, when it becomes a week, long, and a week of a now 3 week cycle, things can get hard. If you know the clues... Be kind to yourself. Support your worries. Loss of control often accompanies the anxiety, but once again through understanding you can get the control back. And then there is neurodiversity, progesterone intolerance, insomnia, PTSD, psychosis... I'll stop rambling now! So so much to say... Don't struggle, please ask. We are in this together.

Day 4 | December 4th | The Skin Our body changes as we age. It doesn't mean this is bad. It doesn't mean we need to fear it. This is what I saw in this menopause campaign. Not fear, but understanding. To support our skin: ♥ use an emollient as a soap. Water and soap are both drying wear SPF 50, this will help prevent against skin cancers, signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation (darkening) of s aren'tkin ♥ retinoids and other moisturisers help protect the skin ♥ if (or when) you injure your lower legs, elevate, ensure the skin is well moisturised and at early signs of infection seek medical attention ♥ random fact: estrogen cream has been shown in basic science studies to help ulcer healing ♥ low iron can contribute to itching and poor wound healing. Another reason to ensure your periods aren't too heavy ♥ moles (pigmented lesions) can change, worsen after pregnancy due to the estrogen changes. Start being aware of what your skin looks like at an early age. This is the best way to pick up skin cancers early ♥ topical creams like Efudix can be used on the skin (with medical supervision) to treat precancerous (and some cancerous) skin lesions. This decreases the need to remove all skin lesions ♥ ALWAYS see your doctor if you have any skin lesions that are NOT healing. We need to think of skin cancer in these situations. Vitamin D (can have it's own paragraph) ☀ our skin makes less vitamin D as we age. Vitamin D is SUPER important for bone health, immunity (among other things). You may wish to supplement vitamin D in winter (or all year round). But more is not always better, high vitamin D can lead to problems eg unhealthy changes to kidneys and blood pressure. The clever thing is, if we supplement our body turns off it's production. So just stick to the recommended dosing of the supplement. 📕 A few references/more reading MP Brincat, Y Muscat Baron & R Galea (2005) Estrogens and the skin, Climacteric, 8:2, 110-123 https://lnkd.in/gyWXeZtx https://lnkd.in/gBR4_j5V https://lnkd.in/gp7rvv_n

😴 or 😀 ... 3rd December - Sleep Disturbance This can mean many things to different people. In my practice I find it incredible how some people manage to tolerate so 'little sleep', whereas others, even 1 bad night a week results in a real struggle for days (this is me!). We need to support all of these different needs and not dismiss concerns. Ensuring my patients get sleep is a necessity. The brain doesn't work and we can't think properly when we don't sleep. Therefore is is harder to make good choices, follow our routines. If my patient is sleep deprived, I always feel that if I were to give them a behavioural change suggestion, then I often would be setting them up to fail. One step at a time, and the foundations are the most important. This is why SLEEP is one of the main pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. It is crazy, that as doctors we don't learn much about it, or routinely ask about it! Why does sleep change so much at menopause? One of the reasons is due to estrogen Estrogen helps women sleep better by: 💤 Regulating the body temperature and preventing hot flashes and night sweats that can disrupt sleep 💤 Increasing the amount of time spent in deep and REM sleep, which are important for memory and mood 💤 Reducing the time it takes to fall asleep and the number of awakenings during the night 💤 Enhancing the effects of serotonin, melatonin and other neurotransmitters that influence the sleep-wake cycle and mood However, HRT is not lifestyle medicine. So it is really important to pay attention to what our body needs to fall (and stay asleep) 🌟 using screens before bed disrupts sleep patterns for the whole night 🌟 20 minutes of sunlight in the morning helps the melatonin at night 🌟 magnesium improves sleep in 50% of individuals 🌟 sleep programmes of cognitive behavioural therapy - insomnia really do work! Demonstrating the inseparable links between our brains and our experiences And, yes, it is ideal to not eat before bed BUT I can't go to bed hungry, otherwise I can't sleep. We all need to figure out our how our own body works. #merryperi #DeckTheHormones #happypause #perimenopause #womenshealth #menopause #menopausematters #menopauseawareness

Menopause, you CAN prepare for it! You don’t have to 'crash' into it unprepared. Symptoms of perimenopause can be subtle and varied. One of the clues can be a change in periods, but you don't have to experience period changes to be going through it. Listen to your body. Let’s talk, learn, and support each other through this phase of life Dr Ceri Cashell has created this campaign to create understanding about menopause through advent. I'm going to post a different symptom every day, with clues and parallels that happen at OTHER stages in life. 🎁 #merryperi #deckthehormones #happypause 🎁 @menopause_doctor @arraystudios @drginni @sonyalovell @lizearleme @drrachelrubin @drmennobgyn @middle_east_menopause_org @ginge_unhinged @dontsweatitmenopause WellFemme @dr.emma.harvey @samanthanewman28 Menodoctor @sanil_rege @drjenhackerpearson @_womenshealthroad @dr.rosfoster @johannawicks @gracelamstyle @menopausespecialist @ashleygwinter @menopausepilates @xxlivingyouryogaxx Dr. Stacy Sims @muirka @thechangesprogramme @anja_lineen @julesmdutton @the_midlife_psychologist @mymenopausedoctor @dr.emma.harvey @drcericashell

What is perimenopause? What is menopause? Throughout December I'm going to be participating in a menopause education social media campaign. Each day I will post a symptom of menopause. Because I know I don't understand things unless I see the relevance and the application I will be sharing how I see the health system needing to develop to pick up these clues at different stages of life. I'm excited and I look forward to sharing that space with you ;o)