Show Notes
Migraines are an incredibly debilitating symptom. What’s it all about, is there a link with the menopause transition and if so, what can we do about it? To help us make sense of everything we were delighted to be joined by Professor Anne MacGregor who specialises in headaches & migraines, alongside women’s health. During this episode Anne dispels myths and misinformation, breaks everything down into factual, relatable nuggets of information providing anyone listening with practical and logical ways to manage this symptom. A perimenopausal headache is debilitating enough but a migraine is quite a different matter, leaving you feeling like you’ve been ‘run through a mangle’…has to be the quote of the series! If you’re postmenopausal don’t worry that’s covered too.
Did you know there’s more than one type? We cover migraines with aura, migraines without aura and then a migraine aura without a headache…I know, there’s a bit of a range. Being completely unpredictable, they can result in people not being able to function properly, can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and then there’s raised sensitivity to your bodies senses usually followed by feeling absolutely wiped out. Anne and Heather clarify what’s happening to your hormone levels during the perimenopause – back to the hormonal storm going on, with wonky hormones, and spiking hormones creating havoc. Unsurprisingly migraines are roughly three times more common in women than men!
So, how do you cope with them…if you’re struggling with these symptoms this is really worth a listen.
Anne covers lifestyle factors, highlighting how the brain reacts to these whilst knocking a few myths on the head. Interestingly, did you know migraines are linked to gut dysfunction? Heather and Anne also clarify the facts about the pros and cons of using HRT or the combined contraception pill to help manage symptoms.
We touch on alternative, over the counter options and end with one of the most effective ways to manage this symptom…yes you’ll have to listen to find out!
As always please share the link of our podcast to friends, family and colleagues who you know might find the topics we cover not only relevant but interesting. Thank you.
Special Guest: Professor Anne MacGregor Anne is a Specialist in Headache and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. She has a clinical NHS post at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, and an academic post in Neuroscience at Queen Mary, University of London. Her research and clinical work bridges neurology and reproductive healthcare and her Doctoral thesis explored the role of oestrogen in menstrual migraine. She has received the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Award, awarded to a woman whose work over time has made an extraordinary contribution to those affected by the burden of headache, the International Headache Society Special Recognition Award, and the 2022 American Headache Society Women’s Health Science Award.
Audio engineer & Assistant producer: Gregor Reid
Useful links & resources: National Migraine Centre https://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/ Migraine Trust https://migrainetrust.org/ Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18-WHC-FACTSHEET-Migraine-and-HRT-NOV2023-B.pdf British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk
Stress management…an invaluable insight into coping tools and strategies This is such a useful episode to listen to not only to hear about coping with stress whilst going through the menopause but it also gives you fabulous insight into tools and strategies for every day life stresses. We were delighted to be joined by the wonderful Dr Melanie Smith, an experienced clinical psychologist who specialises in this area. Listen to hear how to combat the perfect storm that is often brewing for many women who are usually spinning multiple plates during this significant physical transition. Chronic stress - when levels of stress are raised for prolonged periods this can have a long term impact on health and wellbeing…hear how to differentiate between everyday life stresses and the stress from the impact of menopausal symptoms. What does a bio-psycho-social approach really mean and understand why it’s not just about hormones and fixing hormones. Mel beautifully explains how Cognitive Behaviour Therapy works and how it genuinely helps to manage stress levels. I know, one not to miss…
This episode is well worth a listen - it gives clarity about gaining the right research, how to get it, why that is so important and what would ‘gold standard research’ look like… We chat about why you should only seek evidenced based, trusted information - we direct you to the right places you can find it. This is becoming an increasing challenge for every woman when we have social media platforms that are swamped with misinformation. We invited the fabulous Dr Paula Briggs, a consultant in sexual and reproductive health, to help us with our discussions and also had an interesting conversation about the new non-hormonal drugs which are soon to become available to help with vasomotor symptoms; what are they and how do they work. As always we have an interesting nugget of knowledge…happy listening. Guest: Dr Paula Briggs. Paula is a Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health based at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. She is an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Liverpool and Immediate Past Chair of the British Menopause Society. She is devoted to delivery of women’s health care, research and education. Her main interest is menopause management with a particular interest in urogenital atrophy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The day we released this podcast was World Osteoporosis Day – a great reminder to stop, think about the health of your bones and find out more about osteoporosis. To help guide us through this important topic we were delighted to be joined by Ruth Wakeman, Director of services at The Royal Osteoporosis Society. There was a lot to chat about… Do you know when you reach peak bone mineral density? Because we can’t see and feel our bones, why should we all be thinking about what our bones are up to and our long term health? And how do you find out what your bones are up to. What’s the connection between menopause and bone health? Is there a greater risk of fractures after menopause and what can we do to help prevent them. Importantly - do you know how to look after your bone health - how to keep your bones strong and healthy?Listen to find out many of the answers you need about bone health, osteoporosis and where to find the Great British Bone Checker…now what’s that all about… happy listening!
One of the most interesting and reassuring episodes to listen to when once again we sort out the facts from fiction. We were delighted to be joined by Dr Pauline M. Maki who gives us a better understanding about everything and cuts through all the misinformation.
This is a fascinating insight into the interaction between your gut and your brain. We were delighted to be joined by consultant gastroenterologist Dr Elena Eliadou to give us a better understanding about everything.