197 - The problem with medicalising the menopause without HRT

Advisory: this podcast contains themes of mental health and suicide. In this episode, Jo shares a moving account of her menopause experience before finding the right treatment for her. Struggling with numerous symptoms including vertigo, dry mouth and eyes, joint pain and vaginal dryness, Jo went from not visiting her GP for six years to monthly appointments. After being prescribed a cocktail of medication and spending thousands of pounds on dental treatment to no avail, Jo felt she was never going to get better. She talks to Dr Louise about the effect of low hormones, and the transformative impact finding the right dose and type of HRT had on her mental and physical health. Jo’s three top tips:  Download a period tracker, such as the balance menopause support app, to track your periods. This will help you notice any changes and identify any patterns of other symptoms occurring. Educate yourself: try to read as much as possible about the menopause so that you can understand what's happening with your body. Reach out to friends: by being honest and saying how you're feeling, you can help others to open up too.