Gennev: Let's talk about menopause

According to the United Nations, “International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

Globally, International Women’s Day (IWD) is a pretty big deal. Many countries observe the day with special traditions and celebrations, some even declaring it a national holiday.

However, in the US, observance of International Women’s Day has been quite modest. While most consider the US fairly progressive in terms of women’s rights and equality, the truth is gender equity is actually losing ground in the States, and there’s more reason than ever for the US to recognize IWD and its mission.

Two Washington women are working to make IWD a much bigger deal in Seattle: in 2016, they convened a gathering of about 80 women; this year, International Women’s Day Seattle has already outgrown one home, and the event is still a week away.

Team genneve is planning to attend (and volunteer, so look for us!), and we hope you’ll join us. We’re even more excited about the event after having the chance to sit down with organizers Kate Isler and Nickie Smith and talk about why International Women’s Day is important and why the work of feminists and feminism isn’t done.  

Event details: Facebook event page

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 8, 4.30 – 9 PM

Location: Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave

Tickets: available from Eventbrite.

We had the pleasure of talking with Lynette Sheppard, author of Becoming a Menopause Goddess and “scribe” and moderator of the Menopause Goddess website and blog. Lynette and her goddesses are tackling the lack of knowledge and awareness women have when approaching the “Big M.” Lynette spent more than 10 years as a  Nurse-Manager and head of Intensive Care and Coronary Care units in Santa Rosa, California. She knows her way around healing and the human body and is a terrific translator of medical-speak.

“Was what was happening to me normal? My entire life was turned upside down.”

For more details and to see the transcript of the interview, visit us at genneve.com. 

In this podcast, genneve CEO Jill had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Angela Jones, award-winning ob/gyn, media professional, and author. She’s delivered thousands of babies and answered hundreds of thousands of questions on every aspect of her profession. From menses (first period) to menopause and beyond, Dr. Angela has the answers, so we jumped on the chance to ask “Menopause 101” questions we have and have heard from you.

If you’re not always entirely sure what’s going on with your body, if you’re concerned what you’re going through isn’t “normal,” or if you want to be ready for what might lie ahead, Dr. Angela has guidance, reassurance, and answers for all.

2:04

One question we hear a lot is, what exactly is the difference between “perimenopause” and “menopause”? Dr. Angela gives us the lowdown on the definitions, what women might experience during these phases, and how to get a ballpark idea of how long the process might take for you.

4:06

So what exactly is going on in our bodies during these phases? Dr. Angela filled us in on the science of what’s going on in there.

5:10

Because the experience of menopause is still such a taboo subject, women don’t always know if what’s happening to them is “normal.” We asked Dr. Angela what we should know to take care of ourselves correctly.

6:26

Dr. Angela speaks specifically to the question of thyroid disorders, the symptoms of which can be mistaken for symptoms of perimenopause.

7:04

As we age, we may need to do a little more “maintenance” to stay healthy and vibrant. Dr. Angela talks us through some of the tests we should do or do more often as we get older to ensure we’re in the best of health.

8:30

Dr. Angela gives her recommendations on “lifestyle modifications” and why these can act as preventative medicine. As she says, the right diet and exercise will take you a long way.

12:08

When we hit our 40s, is it time to change up our birth control? First things first: “If you don’t want to get pregnant, you need to be doing something!” But you do need to be sure your birth control is right for you, and Dr. Angela gives some tips on how to move forward.

15:20

But low-dose hormonal birth control can have other benefits for the over 40s in addition to avoiding pregnancy, and Dr. Angela fills us in on how birth control can help alleviate or moderate perimenopausal symptoms.

17:20

We asked Dr. Angela to “coach” us on how to talk to our doctors, what information we need to have ready when we walk into our appointments, and what questions we should ask. Because women are often embarrassed to talk about their bodies, even with their ob/gyn, Dr. Angela has some best practices for getting the information you need.

21:40

Why is there so much shame and embarrassment about this completely normal phase of life? “I have no idea!” Dr. Angela says, but she offers some ways we might move forward to celebrate this time of our lives rather than dread it.

25:12

How does Dr. Angela feel about using supplements or other methods to manage menopause symptoms? While our doc adheres pretty firmly to ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) standards, she says, “Go for it!” to patients who want to try acupuncture, black cohosh, or other alternative treatments. However, Dr. Angela does want anyone trying something new to follow important guidelines, which she outlined for us.

28:10

Need to find a new ob/gyn? Dr. Angela gives her insights on how to find a doc who’s current, certified, and reliable.

30:15

Dr. Angela offers her concluding thoughts about how to thrive during menopause. As she told us, “Aging doesn’t scare me, and it shouldn’t scare women. Women should be embracing the aging process.” Like a bottle of fine wine, Dr. Angela says, we’re just getting better.  

Learn more from Dr. Angela by checking out her “SAY WHAT” blog and podcasts at askdrangela.com.

What happens at the intersection of hormones, mental health, and sexuality? 

“You’re supposed to enjoy sex, and if you aren’t, why not?” 

Dr. Lucy Puryear is an Associate Professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. She is also Co-Director of The Menopause Center at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women.

Dr. Lucy works with patients to treat psychiatric conditions during pregnancy and postpartum, perimenopause, infertility and reproductive loss. Because our hormones can have profound impacts on women's physical and emotional health, we invited Dr. Lucy to share her expertise with gennevers.

00:48:06  "Woman's advocate" Dr Lucy explains the services she provides for women, specifically women with mood/anxiety/emotional issues tied to reproductive events and hormonal changes.

02:30:00  Women’s hormonal health—and particularly how it relates to their psychological health—wasn’t given much attention in the US until the early 90s. Dr. Lucy explains how her own experience helped her discover her passion. As a young woman seeking relief from PMS symptoms, she says, "I remember feeling very patronized" by male physicians. "That was probably a pivotal moment in my life.”

07:03:00 Why are women’s issues still so taboo? According to Dr. Lucy, the answer is threefold: hear how cultural stigmas against women generally, mental health, and female sexuality all combine to make women’s hormonal health one of our biggest and most resistant taboos.

09:48:00 How are women’s sex lives and libidos affected by their hormonal changes? Even physicians will shy away from talking with women about their sexuality, says Dr. Lucy. “Women just don’t get asked.” Hear why she makes it a point to ask her patients, why it’s so critical to have these open and frank conversations, and how she’s helped women and couples get their sex lives back.

13:07:00 “Sex is going to happen every Saturday at 2 when the kids are in bed.” So much of what women suffer through during hormonal change is truly “normal,” says Dr. Lucy, so there’s no reason to feel shame or fear. Once women understand vaginal dryness or drop in libido are natural and common, they can drop the shame and focus on the fix. Hear Dr. Lucy’s strategies (like planning sex or “hotel” sex) for bringing intimacy back into relationships.

16:43:00 Including partners in the conversation. Because coupling usually requires, well, a couple (at least!), Dr. Lucy does sometimes talk to her patients’ partners. She explains how bringing in intimate partners often results in better solutions.

19:20:00 Is there a generational difference in how we talk about sexuality? Are younger women more open to the conversation? Hear Dr. Lucy’s thoughts on the differences—and similarities—among generations of women.

20:20:30 Was it good for you? Are women demanding (and getting) great sex? Or are we there out of obligation and to preserve a relationship? Dr. Lucy shares her thoughts on women, sex, and expectations of pleasure. “You’re supposed to enjoy it, and if you don’t, why not?” says Dr. Lucy. “There are things you can do to make that better.”

22:55:00 What are the biggest obstacles in her work with women? Stigma. Mental health issues are still seen as a weakness and our cultural discomfort stops women from getting help. Hear how lack of trained medical professionals and adequate health care coverage are making it even harder to find relief. 

26:35:00 What do women need to know? What’s out there, what’s coming up? Hear Dr. Lucy’s thoughts about a female Viagra, genital plastic surgery, and why we need to be careful that women’s health advances are truly “advances.”

30:50:00 What’s one final piece of advice you’d give to our women listeners? Hear from Dr. Lucy what she wants women to understand about their health, what she wants women to expect from their healthcare professionals, and how they can empower themselves to feel their best.

genneve is committed to helping women feel fabulous in their bodies as they age. Join us at thegspot for great information and women-to-women stories!

Dr. Connie Mao is director of Harborview Women’s Dysplasia Clinic here in Seattle, Washington, where she focuses on HPV-related disease including cervical, vulvar, and vaginal dysplasia and genital warts. She’s an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington, and she has spent the last 19 years doing research related to HPV infections and prevention of cervical cancer.

Jill Angelo, genneve CEO and host of the genneve podcasts, talked with Dr. Mao about HPV, the HPV vaccine, why the US lags behinds other countries in rates of vaccination, and why every parent should have their children--boys and girls--vaccinated against this ubiquitous virus.

Read a transcript of our interview with Dr. Connie here. 

According to Anne’s research, 20% of the workforce is dealing with menopause at any given time. Twenty percent are dealing with symptoms like headaches, hot flashes, dizziness, dry eyes, general achiness, and exhaustion.  

There are simple things a business can do to accommodate their menopausal workforce, yet it’s the rare organization that even acknowledges it happens.

Anne talks with genneve CEO Jill Angelo about menopause and ageism and how great leadership can make our workplaces more comfortable....for everyone.

Music:

"A Wee Tipple" by Scott Holmes facebook.com/ScottHolmesMusic