Despite all the noise about menopause (and there’s a lot), there’s one place where we’re still not talking about it openly, and that’s the workplace. But that’s changing - slowly. Now, some companies are offering menopause benefits too. In this episode, we look at menopause in the workplace, and hear from Sarah Shepherd (Privia Health) and Isha Viij (Maven Clinic).

Want more menopause stories? We've got you covered -

The revelation of a midlife ADHD diagnosis, with Claire Tomkins: https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/e5b0937494315b8bd1413c92ee349bdf

A full hysterectomy could prevent cancer - but it also kickstarts menopause: Pamela Esposito-Amery’s story

https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/2b1e1ca954fbe57df2ec68e22c038a64

Not your mother's menopause, with Dr Gillian Goddard: https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/bc6b393ad36c74d5a1a8c68ae0b6da71

Show Notes:

Previa Health: https://www.priviahealth.com/

Maven Clinic: https://www.mavenclinic.com/

Maven Clinic’s report on the menopause experience for millennials and generation X: https://mavenpreprint.substack.com/p/millenopause-is-reframing-middle

Samantha Bee’s menopause show, which is mentioned at the start of the episode: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/samantha-bee-takes-on-menopause-in-her-new-one-woman-show/

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

Earlier this year, the CDC updated its recommendations on pain management for IUD insertion (intrauterine devices used for birth control), which prompted Carine Carmy to share her story of how an IUD insertion sent her to the emergency room with severe pain, nausea, chills and a fever. She talks about what happened, and why we should have more in-depth conversations about pain management with our healthcare providers. She’s now the co-founder and CEO of Origin, a women’s health company focused on pelvic floor physical therapy, and she explains why the pelvic floor is an overlooked and crucial part of our bodies and overall health.

Listen to another episode about cervical health - 'Sharing a difficult story about cervical screening, with writer Brittany Chaffee'

https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/45572d4cdf13dcfa76517a40b5c434e6

SHOW NOTES:

CDC updates guidelines on pain relief for IUD insertion https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-to-know-about-pain-relief-iud-insertion-options-insurance/

Pelvic health 101 https://www.theoriginway.com/pelvic-floor-101

The 2024 Origin pelvic health study https://www.theoriginway.com/2024-pelvic-health-study

On this episode, we also spotlight the work of the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative of British Columbia. Learn more at https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/

SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter to get backstories and updates on the podcast - sign up at the banner on the website: www.overlookedpod.com. 

EMAIL US - get in touch with the show: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

Claire Tomkins found out she had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in her early fifties, while going through perimenopause. When it comes to ADHD, women are generally under-diagnosed, and Claire talks about how this late diagnosis helped her understand her own actions and decisions, and the struggle of having ADHD and managing kids, jobs and relationships. 

Show notes:

More on ADHD: We thought this episode from Mayo Clinic’s Health Matters podcast was an informative listen: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/is-this-adhd/

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

When Pamela Esposito-Amery discovered she had a genetic predisposition to cancer, she took a decision to undergo a full hysterectomy - which also put her in ‘surgical’ menopause. Pamela talks about the physical and emotional impact of this life-changing procedure, as well as the work of her organization, Tell Every Amazing Lady (T.E.A.L), which she started with her sister, the late Louisa M. McGregor, in Brooklyn, New York. 

In this episode, you can also hear the stories of listeners who sent in voice memos, talking about their journeys with cancer. 

If you’d like to contact the podcast and send in your story, head to our website:

https://overlookedpod.com/getintouch

SHOW NOTES

-Tell Every Amazing Lady: https://telleveryamazinglady.org/

-More on surgical menopause from Target Ovarian Cancer: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer/your-situation/im-younger-woman-diagnosis/surgical-menopause

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

How do you bring women’s health innovation to life when the healthcare system is set up to resist change? In this episode, Nicole Sandford, CEO of Aspira Women’s Health, shares the hurdles her company faces in pushing forward diagnostics for ovarian cancer. As a cancer survivor, she also reflects on how her personal health journey fuels her commitment to advancing care for women.

Resources and Links:

• Learn more about Aspira Women’s Health and their ‘Ovasuite’ blood tests: https://aspirawh.com/
• Mentioned in the episode: World Ovarian Cancer Coalition: https://worldovariancancercoalition.org/

Related Episodes:

‘Diagnosis’ from Overlooked Season 1: https://overlookedpod.com/episode/diagnosis

SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter to get updates on the podcast: sign up at the banner on the website: www.overlookedpod.com. 

EMAIL US - get in touch with the show: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Overlooked, host Golda Arthur speaks with Lucy Rudd, a biomedical scientist from the UK, who shares her powerful story of discovering a borderline ovarian tumor at just 28 years old. What began as a small lump quickly spiraled into a period of intense uncertainty, fear, and difficult decisions about her health and fertility. Lucy takes us through her journey of diagnosis, her experience with the healthcare system, and the emotional toll of living with the unknown.

Hear how Lucy’s medical background informed her understanding of the situation, but also how confusing and overwhelming the process became—even for someone with insider knowledge of the healthcare system. We also explore Lucy’s struggle with fertility preservation, and the emotional aftermath of losing one ovary. 

Resources and Links:

• Learn more about borderline ovarian tumors - Cancer Research UK : https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer/types/borderline
• Resources for ovarian cancer in the UK: Target Ovarian Cancer

Related Episodes:

‘Diagnosis’ from Overlooked Season 1

SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter to get updates on the podcast: sign up at the banner on the website: www.overlookedpod.com. 

EMAIL US - get in touch with the show: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

What’s the difference between menopause and perimenopause anyway? Is there such a thing as menopause misinformation? Why don’t we know more about menopause and HRT? Dr. Gillian Goddard, an endocrinologist and writer behind the Hot Flash newsletter, answers these and other important questions about menopause, debunking common myths and providing practical advice for how to talk to your doctor about menopause symptoms.

This is the last episode of Overlooked in this season. Stay up to date with the show by subscribing to the newsletter here - www.overlookedpod.com.

Show notes:

Gillian Goddard’s Hot Flash Newsletter: https://parentdata.org/hotflash-signup/

Gillian’s piece on HRT for menopause https://parentdata.org/hormone-replacement-therapy-menopause-symptoms/

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

Brittany Chaffee talks about navigating cervical health testing, and recounts the moment she received an alarming call from her doctor, leading to years of anxiety, biopsies, and eventually, a harrowing LEEP procedure. Brittany emphasizes the importance of talking publicly about women’s health to combat shame and isolation. 

Show notes:

‘The powerful act of sharing our stories about women’s health.’ 

What is a LEEP procedure?

What is a colposcopy?

More information on cervical cancer screening

We’re building a community around women’s health so that no one is overlooked. You can support the show by:

-Subscribing to the Overlooked newsletter on the website: www.overlookedpod.com

-Leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

-Sharing this episode with someone who will find it useful and relevant.

-Write to us and tell us your story: [email protected]

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

Oriana Papin-Zoghbi is the co-founder of a women’s health startup called AOA Dx that is working towards early detection for ovarian cancer. Oriana talks about the challenges the company has faced in navigating the complex world of fundraising, the term ‘femtech’, and the experience of leading a startup dedicated to transforming women's health. 

Want to find out what's coming next on Overlooked, or learn about the backstory to the episodes? Sign up to the email list to get updates from Golda at www.overlookedpod.com.

SHOW NOTES:

Links for further learning: 

AOA Dx and their new lab in Denver: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aoadx/

More on gangliosides / Professor Uri Saragovi's work: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37124505/

The origins of the term ‘Femtech’ : https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/06/meet-the-woman-who-invented-a-whole-new-subsection-of-tech-set-to-be-worth-1-trillion.html

DISCLAIMER:

What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

How much do we really know about our bodies - and did we learn it in real time, when something went wrong, or on a scroll through social media? We need accurate, credible information that is relevant to our health, and in this episode, Dr Brandi Sinkfield, an anesthesiologist and the host of the Women’s Digital Health podcast, talks about ‘health literacy’, and the intersection of health and technology, and the impact technology has on health equity.

Show notes:

Brandi Sinkfield M.D. - Founder - Women's Digital Health | LinkedIn

More about Women’s Digital Health (https://linktr.ee/womensdigitalhealth)

Where do you go for trustworthy information about your health? 

Share your story with us, by emailing [email protected]

Want to find out what's coming next on Overlooked, or learn about the backstory to the episodes? Sign up to the email list to get updates from Golda at www.overlookedpod.com.

DISCLAIMER:

What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

ABOUT THE SHOW: Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: https://bit.ly/TheOverlookedNewsletter

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.