Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This? - S1 #E20 Isaac Manyonda, Menopause and HRT - medicalising a natural transition or addressing a vast unmet need in women’s health!?

S1 #E20 Isaac Manyonda, Menopause and HRT - medicalising a natural transition or addressing a vast unmet need in women’s health!?

09/27/23 • 85 min

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

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

Previous Episode

S1 #E18 Prof Susan Davis: Making sense of the Menopause

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

Next Episode

S1 #E19 Sian Richardson: The Bluetits Chill Swimmers

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