Menopause: Does HRT cause heart disease?
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, yet it brings a host of symptoms that affect around 70-80% of women. These symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, and anxiety, but surprisingly, only about 25% of women receive treatment for them. Historically, menopause may have evolved to benefit society by having non-reproductive women available […]
Menopause: The Importance of Oestrogen for Women’s Health
Often, female hormones get a bad rap, but in reality, they are crucial for multiple aspects of our health beyond just fertility. The Role of Oestrogen Oestrogen (or estrogen for my American friends) is the main female hormone, and males have a little too. While oestrogen is critical for female fertility, it also has many […]
Menopause: Treating Menopause – Are we pathologising a normal physiological process?
A common conversation I have with my patients revolves around the false assumption that humans have evolved perfectly and therefore shouldn’t need modern medicine. The Reality of Human Evolution Humans have definitely not evolved to be perfect. In fact, our evolution has generally favored the benefit of civilization rather than the individual. Human Childbirth: Although […]
Menopause: Are at home menopause tests accurate?
In recent years, there has been much-needed attention on women’s health. Alongside this focus, a rapidly growing industry of at-home medical testing, fem-tech, and women’s health coaches or “experts” has emerged. The Good and the Bad While much of this development is positive, some aspects are unnecessary, non-evidence-based, potentially dangerous, and create problems to provide […]
Menopause: Risks vs Benefits of HRT
The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study led to a significant reduction in prescribing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) due to findings that older women (over 60) who started HRT had a slight increase in heart disease and strokes. There was also a slight increase in breast cancer risk, which contributed to HRT’s negative reputation. Key Findings […]
Menopause: A Basic Guide to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
This guide is not individual advice but aims to provide a basic understanding of the types of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and their appropriateness depending on whether you are in perimenopause or menopause. Key Principles of HRT 1️⃣ Micronized Progesterone and Topical Oestrogen: These are preferred due to their safety profiles. However, younger women without […]
Menopause: Testosterone and Testosterone Treatment in Females
Understanding Testosterone Levels in Females Females have small amounts of testosterone (T), with levels ranging from 0.3-1.8 nmol/L, compared to 8.0-28 nmol/L in males. Testosterone is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands, either directly or from precursor hormones like DHEA and androstenedione. In females, testosterone plays a role in musculoskeletal health, sexual health, bone […]
Menopause: Training adaptions for the female athlete
Endurance sports are becoming increasingly popular, especially among individuals aged 40-60. This age range coincides with perimenopause and menopause, making it essential to understand how these hormonal changes impact training and performance. The Impact of Perimenopause and Menopause Perimenopause brings significant fluctuations in oestrogen levels, often resulting in poor sleep, anxiety, and hot flashes. These […]
Metabolic Health: Why do I feel anxious after drinking?
Alcohol is often referred to as a depressant, but this term can be misunderstood. It doesn’t necessarily mean that alcohol causes depression as a mood disorder (although alcohol and depression are intrinsically linked). Instead, it means that alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) inhibitor or depressant. Here’s a closer look at what that means […]
Menopause: What is PMDD Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder?
What is PMDD? Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It involves physical and psychiatric symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve after the period starts. The cause of PMDD is thought to be an abnormal response to a metabolite of progesterone (allopregnanolone) at […]