Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?

Mr. Vikram Talaulikar is an associate specialist at the reproductive medicine unit in University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and hon. associate professor at University College London. 

In this episode, Vikram is asked similar questions to the previous 2 clinicians; Susan Davis and Isaac Manyonda. How does Vikram define the perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause? He explains what he thinks about menopause testing and what are the main menopause symptoms. Vikram explains why he thinks that lifestyle is really key to help control menopause symptoms. We tackle the controversial topics such as whether HRT will reduce the risk of dementia and what Vikram thinks about high doses of HRT. Vikram does a lot of important research on menopause and we discuss some of his current studies. Vikram has been working hard on education and it is great to hear his clear and concise answers to these key questions. 

He graduated in medicine in India in 2003 and completed postgraduate degree in obstetrics and gynaecology in 2007. He was awarded FRCOG in 2022 and completed PhD degree at St. George's University of London in 2016. He cares for women and couples who have difficulty conceiving, and his clinical interests include reproductive endocrinology, premature ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome, recurrent miscarriage, menopause and male factor subfertility. He is a certified ‘menopause specialist’ by the British Menopause Society. He has published widely in the area of reproductive medicine. His research focuses around events at the embryo-maternal interface in early pregnancy, ovarian response to stimulation in various endocrine conditions and menopause. Vikram is the co-founder of the Menopause Clinic London on Harley Street along Professor Isaac Manyonda.

Sian lives at Pencarnan where her family have been for over 100 years. She runs a campsite above the clifftop and all of her five children, and grandchildren, have all chosen to build their lives here too. Sian is the Founder and Director of The Bluetits Chill Swimmers Ltd. With over 100,000 members worldwide, the Bluetits has become a global phenomena. Sian loves a challenge and has done triathlons, cyclosportive events, marathons, ultramarathons, Ironman, and the ice mile. With so many worldwide followers, this episode will be of interest to all Bluetits swimmers. Sian tells us about her amazing life living on a clifftop and how it came to be that she set up the Bluetits. We discuss the wonders of cold-water swimming, from the smiles on everyone’s face, to the beautiful friendships that are made. Sian talks about body confidence, and how Bluetits lose their inhibitions and feel relaxed to walk around in a swimming costume. Sian gives important advice to those who want to start swimming. She has done so many challenges through her life, and we talk about the most difficult one she did – the ice mile. 

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

Date of episode recording: 2023-08-30
Duration: 1.20.51
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Sian Richardson
Producer: Joyce Harper

Isaac has recently retired from being a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologists at St George's University Hospital in London. Where he specialised in 
• Recurrent miscarriage 
• Fibroid disease 
• Menopause 
• Minimal access surgery 
• High risk obstetrics 

He was instrumental in establishing the first and still one of the few cutting-edge dedicated centres for research and treatment of fibroid disease and was lead author in a recent major national trial on myomectomy versus uterine artery embolization published in the New England Journal of Medicine. He has published more than 250 publications in peer review journals including Nature, the BMJ, the Lancet, NEJM, BJOG, Circulation and Hypertension. He has published 4 books and numerous chapters, letters and reviews. In this episode we discussed many controversial topics relating to menopause – several of which are in opposition to the last podcast episode with Prof Susan Davis. Isaac and I had previously debated the motion: This house believes that menopause is a hormone deficiency disorder. Hear what Isaac really thinks about this question. Doctors vary in their definition of menopause symptoms and how to treat them. Isaac gives his option and explains why he does not think all women need HRT and that the extremes some doctors practice such as the extreme of giving every women HRT and the other extreme of giving no women HRT, are not correct. Does he think HRT is a drug? What about giving testosterone? What about high doses of HRT? He answers all these questions. He also explains why he does not think that doing a menopause test is beneficial to perimenopausal women. 

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/ 

Date of episode recording: 2023-09-19
Duration: 1.25.31
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Prof Isaac Manyonda
Producer: Joyce Harper

In this episode, we discuss the definitions of perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. Susan, being an endocrinologist, which is someone who studies hormones, is a world expert on menopause hormones. Is the menopause a hormone deficiency disorder? Susan explains that it is if menopause happens early, it should be treated with hormones, but it is not a "deficiency disorder" if menopause happens at the average age.. We talked about symptoms and treatments, and how not everything that happens in mid-life is due to the menopause. Why does Susan refers to hormone therapy as menopause hormone therapy (MHT) and not a replacement therapy (HRT). What about testosterone? Susan explains that it will not improve energy or cognition. We discuss the problem we are seeing in the UK with some doctors prescribing high doses of MHT and Susan explains why this is dangerous and should not be done. She explains the lack of evidence that taking MHT will decrease the risk of some long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia.  This episode really does address many of the myths that have sprung up about menopause. Susan was happy to set the record straight as she is so often misquoted in the UK. We should be listening to the endocrinologists such as Susan and Annice who was on episode 3 of my podcast.

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

Date of episode recording: 2023-09-04T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00.46.34
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Professor Susan Davis
Producer: Joyce Harper

Karin is a senior research fellow in the school of public health and preventative medicine in Monash University. She is a registered nurse, and has worked for over 20 years co-ordinating IVF programs. Her PhD, which she completed in 2006, examined the experience of birth and mothering after assisted conception. Her main areas of research include fertility and preconception health promotion, psychological aspects of infertility and infertility treatment, health and development of children born as a result of assisted conception, infertility care in resource constrained settings and women’s health in midlife. In this episode we discuss the facts about fertility and fertility treatment and debunk some of the many myths. From IVF to IVF add-ons, to egg freezing and the future of fertility treatment. Karins research has included how fertility clinics advertise treatments, and investigations into fertility testing. Karin has been part of the Australia team which were given government funding to deliver fertility education which resulted in the very educational web site https://www.yourfertility.org.au/ which has been a model for other countries to follow. 

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

Date of episode recording: 2023-07-18
Duration: 00.51.18
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Dr Karin Hammarberg
Producer: Joyce Harper

#16: David Wood: Abolition of Aging David spent 25 years as a trailblazing pioneer of the mobile computing and smartphone industries. He envisioned what the future might look like, and then worked with many colleagues as part of a large ecosystem to bring that vision into reality. He sits on a number of boards, including the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, and the Longevity Escape Velocity Foundation. He chairs the world's largest meetup organisation with a focus on future foresight, called London Futurists. David regularly gives keynotes or leads workshops on aspects of envisioning and shaping the future. David has written many books including Smartphones and Beyond, Transcending Politics, Vital Foresight, Sustainable Superabundance, The Singularity Principles and the Abolition of Aging. In this episode, David explains transhumanism, humanity+, futurists, and the singularity. How can we abolish aging? He discusses regenerative therapies including techniques that are being developed to extend the telomeres of our chromosomes. But there are changes we can make now to fight off aging, such as changing our lifestyle. Are there any supplements we can take? And hear what David thinks of Black Mirror and Chat GPT. 

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

Date of episode recording: 2023-07-18
Duration: 01.09.54
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: David Wood
Producer: Joyce Harper

Nighat is a GP specialising in women's health, family planning and menopause care with over 15 years of experience in the NHS and she runs her own private practice. She is the resident Doctor on BBC Breakfast and ITV This Morning. She is a radio presenter at BBC Three Counties. As well as an Ambassador for Wellbeing of Women and member of the UN backed Team Halo initiative. She is the honorary recipient of the 2023 SHE Awards for her work around Women's Health and author of her new book 'The Knowledge. Everything you need to know from Menstruation to Menopause’. It is an illustrated, inclusive book for all things Women's Health. 

Socials: @DrNighatArif

In this episode, Nighat talks about why she became a doctor and what inspired her to start making videos to increase awareness about women’s health.  Check out her videos on Tiktok. Her book, The Knowledge, came out in August 2023. The book is a comprehensive guide that is essential reading for all women, from teenagers through to those in the perimenopause. It covers puberty, the fertile years and menopause. Nighat ensured that the images in her book show women of colour and discusses the specific issues affecting women from ethnic minorities. In this episode, important issues affecting women’s health are discussed. Having The Knowledge will save lives.

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

Date of episode recording: 2023-07-11
Duration: 54.56
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Dr Nighat Arif 

Liz O’Riordan is an international speaker, broadcaster and award-winning co-author of ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer: How to Feel Empowered and Take Control’. In 2015 (aged 40) she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer whilst working as a Consultant Breast Surgeon. A locoregional recurrence in 2018 forced her to retire as a surgeon. Her memoir, ‘Under The Knife’, is released on July 6th 2023 (pre-order here https://unbound.com/books/under-the-knife/) During chemotherapy she started an award-winning blog about her experiences (www.liz.oriordan.co.uk) and now talks all over the world about how to improve patient care. In 2020 she launched her podcast – Don’t Ignore The Elephant – that talks about the things no-one else does, like sex, death and body image. Liz is passionate about promoting the benefits of exercise for cancer patients. Dr Liz O'Riordan Speaker, Author and Storyteller - liz.oriordan.co.uk Pre-order my memoir with Unbound https://unbound.com/books/under-the-knife Podcast Host – Don’t Ignore The Elephant Co-author of ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer’ Instagram @oriordanliz Twitter @Liz_ORiordan.

During this episode, Liz explains why she decided to write her memoir – Under the Knife, where she shares how she trained to be a doctor but how her life dramatically changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Liz explained what it was like to be a breast cancer surgeon who has breast cancer. She has also suffered with depression and suicidal thoughts. She wrote her book as she felt she could help people understand some of these issues. We also discuss the importance of exercise, Liz has done some serious challenges, and Liz’s love of wild swimming. And her love of hedgehogs. 

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

Date of episode recording: 2023-05-31
Duration: 01.01.50
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Liz O'Riordan
Producer: Joyce Harper

Toby began Karting with Russ Mead to help him overcome depression, give him a new focus and a chance to escape from dealing with fertility issues. In 2019 Toby started a campaign to raise awareness for fertility with the goal to end the stigma of fertility through motorsport and the same year he claimed his first podium at Donington Park. In 2022, Toby joined Porsche to compete in the Porsche Visit Cayman Island Sprint Challenge in the Pro category. He is continuing with SVG Motorsport taking the step on the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid. In 2023, Toby joins Redline Racing for season four of Racing For Fertility with the goal to attack the title for the top step. 

In this episode Toby talks about his successful career as a racing driver and how this has been affected by his infertility. He wants to remove the stigma and taboo and get guys talking. After Toby was in a BBC documentary, in 2019 he started his campaign, Racing For Fertility, is to ensure everyone knows about male fertility and infertility. He loves it when he gets the commentators and the fans at the racetrack talking about fertility. Katie and Toby had two unsuccessful rounds of IVF before Toby was diagnosed with a varicocele – a large vein in the testes. Toby and Katie have a happy story, as they have a little boy conceived naturally after Toby had surgery. Next time the lads are in the pub – we would love them to talk about their balls, sperm, and fertility. 

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

Date of episode recording: 2023-05-10
Duration: 56.12
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Toby Trice
Producer: Joyce Harper

Shema is a Senior Research Fellow at UCL’s Institute for Global Health and Honorary Consultant HIV Physician at Mortimer Market Centre. Her research focuses on health inequities in HIV care. In 2014, Shema was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to conduct HIV research at Columbia University. Since coming to UCL in 2015, Shema has built a programme of work focusing on the health and wellbeing of women living with HIV. She leads the PRIME Study, one of the largest studies in the world exploring menopause among women living with HIV. In addition to her research , Shema provides HIV and sexual health care in the NHS. She developed and leads a specialist HIV and menopause service, supporting clinics across the UK to set up similar clinics. She is former Vice-Chair of the national HIV and pregnancy guidelines, and has authored national and European guidelines on managing menopause in women living with HIV. Shema is a Trustee of Positively UK, the UK's leading HIV peer support charity, and Tommy's, which funds research into babyloss. This has allowed her to use her own experience of stillbirth to lobby for change. 

In this episode, Shema shares her journey to have her two children, where she experienced infertility, fertility treatment, donation, miscarriage, babyloss, and post-natal depression. If you saw this in a TV drama you would think it was too unbelievable. Shema shares her huge experience working with women with HIV and updates us on how lives have been improved with medical advances. Shema is very active on social media and we talk about the ups and downs of being a doctor on social media. And we discuss the importance of reproductive health education. This honest and educational episode will teach you many things. 

For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

Date of episode recording: 2023-04-12
Duration: 53.55
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Shema Tariq
Producer: Joyce Harper