Effin Hormones

Emma Goswell and her mates Helen and Beena (sadly without Terri) are back for a good old catch up. The gang tackle the media frenzy around menopause, share personal health scares, and explore alternative therapies like Reiki and gong baths. It’s all about the importance of prioritising one's health, the controversy surrounding HRT, and the power of sound healing—all with a healthy dose of humour and empathy. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter

"When you can see the cycle of life, everything changes" Hazel Showell is a business psychologist and coach, who has turned her personal struggles into a source of strength for others. She helps top executives learn to be happier. You might not be surprised to hear that she’s helped a fair few women at the height of their careers, to recognise that they might be going through #perimenopause and #menopause! In her own life, Hazel has experienced endometriosis; infertility, surgical menopause and a brain tumour. Quite frankly - she wasn’t expected to still be here. The fact that she is, is testament to her incredible resilience. Helen, Terri and Emma learn how integrating pain can help cope with the inevitable ups and downs of life, and how to accept life’s transitions in a way that makes you stronger. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking courage and clarity in the face of adversity. Connect with Hazel: Website LinkedIn Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter

“Don’t accept it’s over, because it’s really not!” DJ Paulette has spun records and societal expectations into a legacy of empowerment and beats. If you’ve ever been a clubber, you’ll know that the dance floor can be the background to personal, societal and cultural revolutions. DJ Paulette is testament to that, as a true pioneer of the Manchester music scene. She started her career in early 90s Manchester, against the backdrop of Section 28, the AIDS crisis, and the Poll Tax riots. One of the Hacienda’s first female DJs, she catapulted to global superstar status, living and performing in countries the world over. Her memoir, "Welcome to the Club," is not just about the beats behind the decks but the beats of a heart navigating the complexities of race, gender, and the menopause maze. You’ll hear how she’s navigated the trials and tribulations of peri and menopause for over 15 years whilst maintaining her status as queen of the dancefloor. Plus join in with the Effin Hormones gang as they pledge to move from “raving” to “grey-ving”! Connect with DJ Paulette: Website X Instagram Facebook Threads This episode was recorded at Reform Radio in Manchester. Reform Radio is a social enterprise that supports young people into work through the power of radio. If you'd like to show them some support do check out their Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/reformradio Thanks to Jamie our lovely engineer. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter

“We’d be sitting around the dining table having a sweat!” Happy International Men’s Day! Effin Hormones is celebrating with a candid, poignant - and of course funny - conversation with the one and only Richard Goswell - Emma’s Dad! Richard Goswell experienced symptoms that many menopausal women know about: severe hot flushes, night sweats and depression, due to having treatment for prostate cancer. What was that like for him, and has that experience given him more insight into what it’s like to experience menopause? Richard opens up for Emma and the gang. He also shares how attitudes towards menopause have changed throughout his lifetime. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter

Dr Stacy Sims is an internationally renowned exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist, specialising in sex differences. Her TED Talk, Women are not small men, explains why it’s so important for women to train around their cycle. Stacy’s pioneering work is all about how hormones impact our bodies during the menstruating phase of life, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. You’d be amazed - or maybe you won’t - at the lack of medical research that’s gone on down the years on women’s bodies. That’s had a big impact on our understanding of how women’s bodies work. Drawing from extensive research, Stacy will provide you with tailored guidance on exercise, nutrition and HRT optimised for perimenopausal and menopausal hormonal fluctuations. Her science-backed insights will revolutionise your approach to strength, HIIT, gut health and more. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter

Dr Liz O’Riordan is a breast cancer surgeon who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2015 aged 40. She started blogging about her experiences of being both doctor and patient, went on to give a TED talk and wrote the ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer’ – all with the aim of helping other patients. All of this led to her being ­nominated for a ‘Woman of the Year’ award in 2016. After her cancer returned in 2018 she famously dressed as Mrs Incredible for her final radiotherapy treatment! She really is an inspiration. This summer in 2023, her breast cancer returned a third time – just as her memoir 'Under The Knife' was being published. She’s working with the brilliant charity Maggie's on their menopause and cancer campaign. In this episode, you'll hear about the support that Maggie's are offering when it comes to the menopause symptoms that cancer treatment can bring. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter

'light your candle with knowledge and light it on further' Dr Nighat Arif is a powerhouse when it comes to raising awareness and busting taboos around women’s health. She’s a GP, who specialises in women’s health and family planning and she’s a medical educator too. If you’re based in the UK you’ll have seen her on the TV. Dr Nighat is the resident doctor on BBC Breakfast TV and ITV’s ‘This Morning’. She’s got her own radio show on BBC Three Counties radio. She does brilliant reels on instagram and tik tok, making women’s health really easy to understand. Her book “The Knowledge” is EVERYTHING you need to know about women’s health from menstruation to menopause - prepare to be enlightened and inspired! Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter

"Sexuality is our life force energy" Dr Claire Macaulay is an Oncology Doctor, who also helps peri and menopausal women have the sex lives they want. Her dual career came about after one of her breast cancer patients told her that she didn't know which was worse - the fact that she was going to die of cancer one day or the fact that she couldn't have sex with her husband. Cancer patients can experience menopause as part of their treatment. Those menopausal symptoms can have a huge impact on people's ability to have sex. Claire realised that her patients really needed support and The Pleasure Possibility was born. She works with women who are in the perimenopausal or menopausal phase of life, whether naturally occurring or due to medical treatment. Hands up - the Effin Hormones gang were a bit nervous talking about this at the start... But Claire is massively down to earth, incredibly knowledgable and funny too. She really does break down some barriers and make this issue OK to talk about. You'll learn a LOT! Claire mentions a meditation, which you can access here: I want meditation Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter Connect with Claire: Website Mentioned in this episode: Effin Hormones is sponsored by Better Help What's Better Help, we hear you cry?! It’s online therapy. Better Help matches you to one of 32 thousand licensed therapists, based on your location and your preferences. You can then access therapy from your laptop or your phone Effin Hormones listeners get 10% off their first month by heading to: betterhelp.com/effinhormones

"If one person feels heard, then that's important." Meera Bhogal is a menopause expert, personal trainer and fitness coach, who runs the platform Meera’s Made from Scratch, which includes training plans, clubs, and support with health, nutrition and exercise. Meera’s passionate about raising awareness of menopause, particularly with South Asian women. She has also spoken to people at Sikh Gurdwaras - helping to break down taboos about menopause in South Asian communities. She’s even been to parliament to talk about it. If you bought Dr Louise Newson’s latest book, The Definitive Guide to Perimenopause and Menopause, then you’ll have read about Meera, as she contributed to that too. Do you want to take part in a research study about menopause? Meera mentions this global research study: The Menopause Million and Terri mentioned this report on average ages in menopause in The Journal of Midlife Health Check out Meera’s Menopause Symposium, which is happening on 01.07.23! Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter Connect with Meera: Website Instagram Mentioned in this episode: Effin Hormones is sponsored by Better Help What's Better Help, we hear you cry?! It’s online therapy. Better Help matches you to one of 32 thousand licensed therapists, based on your location and your preferences. You can then access therapy from your laptop or your phone Effin Hormones listeners get 10% off their first month by heading to: betterhelp.com/effinhormones

Why can't we get hold of #HRT? What protection do you have at work if you're off due to #menopause or #perimenopause symptoms? And -who's looking out for our interests? The gang get back together for a big old catch up about the politics of menopause. Hearing from campaigners like Carol Vorderman, Kate Muir, Carolyn Harris MP and Mariella Frostrup. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter Mentioned in this episode: Effin Hormones is sponsored by Better Help What's Better Help, we hear you cry?! It’s online therapy. Better Help matches you to one of 32 thousand licensed therapists, based on your location and your preferences. You can then access therapy from your laptop or your phone Effin Hormones listeners get 10% off their first month by heading to: betterhelp.com/effinhormones

'Don't put yourself at the bottom of the pile' Sam Walker has wise words for you if you've been struggling through perimenopause and menopause. Sam is an award winning broadcaster; podcaster and author. She worked on national radio in the UK, before upping sticks and moving to - Phoenix Arizona! Her award winning podcast Desert Diaries tells you the story. She’s now an audio consultant and podcaster. Emma and Helen hear Sam's perimenopause story, which was incredibly tough for her at times. Remember, if you're struggling, and you're in the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans number is 116 123. They’re always there, day or night. In the rest of the world please do look up your local mental health number. Sam got through it, thanks to HRT and has regained her health and her sanity. In fact, she's about to run the London Marathon! She's raising money for Breast Cancer Now and would be incredibly grateful for any support. Donate by clicking on this link, or you can find out more on Sam's instagram. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter Connect with Sam Walker: Twitter Instagram Mentioned in this episode: Effin Hormones is sponsored by Better Help What's Better Help, we hear you cry?! It’s online therapy. Better Help matches you to one of 32 thousand licensed therapists, based on your location and your preferences. You can then access therapy from your laptop or your phone Effin Hormones listeners get 10% off their first month by heading to: betterhelp.com/effinhormones

"If a dinner lady from Swansea can make changes, anyone can." Carolyn Harris MP has been a dinner lady and a barmaid. Nowadays - she's an MP who's been doing INCREDIBLE work as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Menopause. If you're getting HRT on prescription in England, it's thanks to Carolyn that you're going to be able to pay for your prescription yearly. That means you're going to save a lot of money. Carolyn breaks a LOT of the stereotypes of what you might expect an MP to be like. She's happy to have a good swear with the Effin Hormones gang; she dyes her hair all kinds of different colours - and most importantly she gets things done, with cross party support. She's as far away from a career politician as you can possibly imagine, but as she says, she's not doing anything that other people can't do. The Effin Hormones gang get inspired to keep on raising awareness and influencing government policy. Hopefully you'll feel inspired too. Connect with Effin Hormones. A perimenopause podcast. Website Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Mentioned in this episode: Effin Hormones is sponsored by Better Help What's Better Help, we hear you cry?! It’s online therapy. Better Help matches you to one of 32 thousand licensed therapists, based on your location and your preferences. You can then access therapy from your laptop or your phone Effin Hormones listeners get 10% off their first month by heading to: betterhelp.com/effinhormones

Without Louise Minchin, there would be no Effin Hormones! Louise is a TV presenter, journalist and author. She's well known in the UK for being one of the presenters of BBC Breakfast, a job she’d had for years until announcing her departure in 2021. Louise was holding down that high profile job while going through perimenopause. At the time, she kept asking the production team to cover menopause - because she knew it would get a big response from viewers. In the end, her producer decided to cover it - for a whole week! Louise told her story as a part of it. Louise's openness had a huge impact on both the audience - and producer Helen, who came up with the idea for Effin Hormones after seeing the impact that BBC Breakfast’s Menopause Week was having. You'll hear all about that, plus you'll find out why Louise is so passionate that women experiencing menopause get the right information and support. Hopefully you'll also get some inspiration on taking up sport too. Louise credits her new passion with getting her through some trying times. Connect with Effin Hormones. A perimenopause podcast. Website Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Connect with Louise Minchin Instagram Twitter

Sarah Graham is an award winning health writer, whose book 'Rebel Bodies', is a manifesto for change when it comes to women's health. Find out why it's not all in your head, in this bonus Effin Hormones episode!

Has Emma solved her hot flushes with HRT? Has Helen finally worked out whether she's perimenopausal or not?! The gang have a couple of updates for you. Seeing as it's the start of a new year, Emma, Helen, Beena and Terri also put the world to rights and discuss what more needs to be done to improve menopause and perimenopause care for all. Connect with Effin Hormones. A perimenopause podcast. Website Facebook Group Instagram Twitter

Sharon and her husband JB are the first couple to chat to the Effin Hormones gang! What a brilliant couple they are too. They’re both very much in love, and a right laugh to hang out with. So - how did they cope when menopause hit Sharon like a ton of bricks? Sharon and JB discuss the impact menopausal symptoms have had on Sharon's career, her mental health and their relationship. They also share some great tips on how to communicate with each other through what can be an incredibly challenging and frightening time. They’ve managed to get through it together with their shared interests and a cracking sense of humour. Connect with Effin Hormones. A perimenopause podcast. Website Facebook Group Instagram Twitter

"Companies collaborate in the menopause space to make a difference" Sally Mueller and Michelle Jacobs are the co-founders of Womaness - a new brand covering the menopause market in the United States. They've worked for huge US brands like Target, Pfizer and the shopping TV network HSN. But as Sally asks, "Why was I creating all these brands for millennials? Why am I not tackling this space for women like me?" They’re on a mission to spread some - as they call it - 'menopositivity' into the world. Plus, the Effin Hormones gang discuss the importance of checking your boobs and bits, to keep yourself healthy. Here are a couple of links to help with that: NHS: How to check my breasts Coppa Feel Connect with Effin Hormones. A perimenopause podcast Website Facebook Group Instagram Twitter

"Everyone should be able to get their hormones back on the NHS shouldn't they?" Dr Louise Newson is the UK's leading voice on menopause and perimenopause. Seven years ago, she set up a private clinic because she'd heard from so many women who were being offered antidepressants for their menopause, instead of HRT. Louise hadn't wanted to go down the private route - she had found that was her only option. Her aim, at first, was to be able to help a few people, but word spread and now her clinics see over 4000 women a month. Since then, she's set up the Balance website and app, specifically to help women who can't afford to go private, and she's set up The Menopause Charity, which is all about working with healthcare professionals and individuals, to help them through menopause too. The Effin Hormones gang discover what prompted Louise to campaign so passionately for an evidence based approach to the treatment of menopause, and how she managed to miss her own symptoms! Louise also answers questions from Effin Hormones listeners. You'll learn a heck of a lot in this episode, and hopefully find some inspiration too. Louise cites some research papers, which you can access here: Back to the future: Hormone replacement therapy as part of a prevention strategy for women at the onset of menopause Menopause and cardiovascular disease Menopausal hormone therapy: why we should no longer be afraid of the breast cancer risk

Chin chin from all the gang as we celebrate our win at the British Podcast Awards 2022! Effin Hormones won GOLD for the Best Wellbeing Podcast in those awards, so join the gang as we chink chink to our success - with prosecco, nosecco and.........a cup of tea. You'll hear what it's been like for Emma as a new mum, plus we give an update on the government's plans for women's and girls' health over the next ten years, with the Women's Health Strategy for England.

Yeah baby - we are gold! We've won Best Well-being in the British Podcast Awards! Here's a little message of thanks from Producer, Helen x