Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: greenECLECtus28 on November 23, 2018, 08:02:52 PM
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New programme with Mariella Frostrup might be interesting
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Hello greenECLEctus.
I'll certainly be watching.
Mariella hit the headlines a few years ago because when her menopause began she expected her private medical insurance to cover the cost of her HRT treatments but the company refused. They said that the menopause was a normal event in a women's life and therefore not covered under her policy. She complained bitterly and wrote a few articles about the injustice of it all.
Hopefully there will be some practical help and advice that we can all benefit from.
Take care.
K.
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Why do they put it on so late :-\
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In this day and age that's hardly an issue - I'm not sure how may people actually watch stuff live anymore, don't you use iPlayer?
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Why was Mariella wanting private medical to pay for her hrt..you can get it on the nhs anyway!
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We do have another thread ............. maybe Emma could amalgamate?
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There must be regional variations on the timing... I'm in the East Mids and the programme is being heavily advertised as 9 pm on Monday (26th) on BBC One :)
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We are in the North West and it is definitely on BBC at 9pm
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I wonder how much detail the programme will cover. Will there be discussion after?
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I have just set it to record for me on Monday. Will be too late back to see it. I hope it will be useful
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However - depending on what is said on the programme - the fact that it is aired on BBC1 prime time means that doctors cannot cite ignorance so easily as there has been so much media publicity about menopause - including a BBC programme a year or so ago with Kirsty Wark. There is much ammunition that can be used now to argue for what one wants, provided women are prepared and able to stand up for this and make their case - taking an advocate if necessary! Reading and researching symptoms and treatments is the way to go...
(the other thread had a different title so not obvious to anyone glancing that it was the same thing - but no problem!).
Hurdity x
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At the end of the blurb in the tv guide for the prog it says "she finds out if...taking hrt is dangerous". How trite. Hope its not some sensationalist nonsense that concludes that hrt is twice as dangerous as crossing the road but only 10 per cent as dangerous as sticking your head in a gas oven or being trampled by a herd of wildebeest...
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bt4c3m
There are clips on this thread.
Marielle is on conti regime of Estrogel and 100mg Utrogestan nightly - good for her that it works ... not so for some of us ...
Just read a long article by Frostrup in the Mail.
You get symptoms, you go onto HRT, you feel better, you stay on it for the rest of your days if you want. Simples.
Except that we know different don't we ladies? ::)
So true, SJ.
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Maybe we should make a tv program eh ladies - now that would be a real eyeopener! I'm waiting for the TV adaptation of MaryJane's - Me and My Menopausal Vagina. I think airing it after the Road Show would provide maximum coverage or between Strictly and Casualty!!
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Re: The Truth about the Menopause BBC1 Monday 10:45pm
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2018, 11:26:03 PM »
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Why was Mariella wanting private medical to pay for her hrt..you can get it on the nhs anyway!
I have to pay for mine
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If you are watching breakfast TV or can then switch on now because they are shortly going to do a bit about tonight's programme
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Hello ladies.
I've just caught the end of BBC Breakfast and seen the last bit of the interview with two women about the menopause. The woman who said that she feels like she has a chronic illness is spot on. That‘s exactly what I thought when I first read all about the symptoms of the menopause! Sure enough I've found some of the symptoms to be very debilitating.
I've also watched the trailers for the programme and I see that Mariella doesn't mention how many pumps of Oestrogel she is using every day nor if she is also using ADs. She did say she experienced anxiety as a symptom when her menopause began.
When I came across her article a few years ago I assumed that she wanted her private health insurers to cover the cost of her treatment because she new it would be expensive and that can only mean that she intended to see someone privately, Prof Studd perhaps? Certainly her current regime of Oestrogel and Utrogestan is available for free on the NHS.
I will watch the programme and be recording it as well. My husband is away atm so it will be something he can watch when he comes home lol. Only kidding ladies, the poor man hears enough about the meno from me, he doesn't need to suffer any more!
Take care ladies.
K.
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Hello ladies.
I've just caught the end of BBC Breakfast and seen the last bit of the interview with two women about the menopause. The woman who said that she feels like she has a chronic illness is spot on. That‘s exactly what I thought when I first read all about the symptoms of the menopause! Sure enough I've found some of the symptoms to be very debilitating.
I've also watched the trailers for the programme and I see that Mariella doesn't mention how many pumps of Oestrogel she is using every day nor if she is also using ADs. She did say she experienced anxiety as a symptom when her menopause began.
When I came across her article a few years ago I assumed that she wanted her private health insurers to cover the cost of her treatment because she new it would be expensive and that can only mean that she intended to see someone privately, Prof Studd perhaps? Certainly her current regime of Oestrogel and Utrogestan is available for free on the NHS.
I will watch the programme and be recording it as well. My husband is away atm so it will be something he can watch when he comes home lol. Only kidding ladies, the poor man hears enough about the meno from me, he doesn't need to suffer any more!
Take care ladies.
K.
I have just read a review which days that the programme includes Jenni Murray talking about cancer risks. She was quite negative in the recent interview with the author of the book about oestrogen benefits.
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Hello again ladies.
I'm not a great fan of Jeni Murray to be honest. She did write a book years ago about the menopause but I never read it. She had breast cancer but admits that she never bothered with mammograms, didn't watch her weight or exercise and considered her evening bottle of dry white as one of her five a day! I decided then that I wasn't going to take healthy living advice from her in the future.
I do hope tonight's programme will be helpful and that we'll learn something of practical use. Time will tell I suppose.
Take care everyone.
K.
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Hot flushes I had a bit of steam coming out of my ears :steamed:- my verdict on it - beyond useless and probably did more harm than good!! :bang:
So... (1) Jennie Murry fed the idea that HRT causes breast cancer and gave a more convincing argument than the women who provided the proper research and then they never covered the bit about some women having a predisposition to getting breast cancer anyway and then taking HRT on top made the possibility of them developing it higher. Stellajane is bang on with her comment - I mean 9 women she knew all got breast cancer.....????
(2) the group of women who were given cognitive behavioural therapy to help them "overcome" their symptoms aided and abetted those GP's who say - "you don't need HRT - just think positive". They will all be saying it more no doubt since its been "proven" on the telly.
(3) I understand what they were trying to say about bone density and that it is help by exercise but it never addressed the reason why a lot of women don't exercise (because they can barely get out of bed and get dressed before collapsing in a fatigued heap!) but it also fed those lazy GP's on "oh get out more dear...run your bad menopause off!!)
(4) it mentioned dry vaginas in passing but no indication of what that is like
(5) it never mentioned the devastating effect that someones bad menopause can have on family and partners
(6) it never mentioned loss of libido or marriage once
(7) they mentioned flushes lots and mentioned depression, lack of energy, brain fog, anxiety in passing!
(8) They talked about japanese women not suffering so much due to soy in their diet but didn't suggest that in the UK "turning japanese" was never going to work - because japanese society views their women over 45-50 completely differently.
(9) they gave a very false impression of how the NHS (doesnt deal) with menopause and instilled false hope that you could get your blood tested to work out what to do
(10) One of the women who was menopausal in the group given CBT had to speak at conferences and obviously had quite a high powered job - but there was never any mention of how debilitating the symptoms of bad menopause and how the work place needs to adjust to women working longer and longer in our society than they ever did before.
Oh and the icing on the cake for me was spending 10 minutes talking about how research has found you can reverse the menopause by taking an ovary out before they pack up altogether having it frozen and then re-implanted to the one left where it grafts and starts to generate hormones, and can even generate eggs - this was primarily for young women who had had cancer treatment - which in itself is absolutely brilliant dont get me wrong - but was completely out of context as there was no further information given on the number of women who suffer from all sorts of other surgical menopause and how it actually affects them.
And another 10 dispelling the male menopause ??? ::)
Urgh...shall I gone on....huh.."Telling the Truth about Menopause" - well that's the wrong title for the program. "Continuing the Myths around Menopause" more like! :bang:
Useless, flaming useless... >:( Nothing of practical use at all Kathleen....oh and no mention of this website!
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I don't agree that ovary implant should be used in women over the age of 40 anyway. The NHS is supposedly short of money. OK for those girls that have undergone early menopause but should not be used otherwise.
Great advancement but it was out of context as it didn't explain how such therapy would benefit someone going through menopause which is, after all, natural. Sad that many asked in the street thought 'old age' - my response would have been vaginal atrophy ;D but DH thinks that VA would be a step too far 4 the Producers ::). He was so bored he didn't bother watching. He also told me off for shouting at the TV ....... ;D
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Haha I was laughing in a derisory fashion when they DARED to suggest that that man was going through menopause ,omg!!! Oh let's cure the man low in testosterone,god forbid 20 odd % of men suffer this,cure please 🤬NOW!?
This programme suggested women could all overcome menopause one way or the other,either eating better,breathing differently 😏 or exercising more,oh & get a private Harley Street dr,hmmm
It's good it highlighted menopause but I learned nothing from it
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ha ha the last thing my hubby said to me as he went upstairs to sort out some computer stuff - was "don't shout too loudly at the telly - I'm going to be busy"!! He still winces visably every time Jenny Éclair comes on for Vagisan Moist Cream and mentions "bothersome vaginas". I think she was the perfect person for that ad - I grin each time it comes on. :rofl:
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😂oh I know ladybt first time that ad came on I nearly choked on my dinner.
Maybe Jenny eclair should do a programme about menopause
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Actually Jaypo Jenny Éclair would be just right - she certainly would tell it like it is. Unfortunately, it would probably be so controversial it could be only be shown as a trailer in the cinema - like one of those infomercials - cos it would need a Certificate!
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I would prefer a programme like that,instead of it all being nicey nicey,show it as it is,warts and all,figuratively speaking 😊
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Hot flushes I had a bit of steam coming out of my ears :steamed:- my verdict on it - beyond useless and probably did more harm than good!! :bang:
So... (1) Jennie Murry fed the idea that HRT causes breast cancer and gave a more convincing argument than the women who provided the proper research and then they never covered the bit about some women having a predisposition to getting breast cancer anyway and then taking HRT on top made the possibility of them developing it higher. Stellajane is bang on with her comment - I mean 9 women she knew all got breast cancer.....????
(2) the group of women who were given cognitive behavioural therapy to help them "overcome" their symptoms aided and abetted those GP's who say - "you don't need HRT - just think positive". They will all be saying it more no doubt since its been "proven" on the telly.
(3) I understand what they were trying to say about bone density and that it is help by exercise but it never addressed the reason why a lot of women don't exercise (because they can barely get out of bed and get dressed before collapsing in a fatigued heap!) but it also fed those lazy GP's on "oh get out more dear...run your bad menopause off!!)
(4) it mentioned dry vaginas in passing but no indication of what that is like
(5) it never mentioned the devastating effect that someones bad menopause can have on family and partners
(6) it never mentioned loss of libido or marriage once
(7) they mentioned flushes lots and mentioned depression, lack of energy, brain fog, anxiety in passing!
(8) They talked about japanese women not suffering so much due to soy in their diet but didn't suggest that in the UK "turning japanese" was never going to work - because japanese society views their women over 45-50 completely differently.
(9) they gave a very false impression of how the NHS (doesnt deal) with menopause and instilled false hope that you could get your blood tested to work out what to do
(10) One of the women who was menopausal in the group given CBT had to speak at conferences and obviously had quite a high powered job - but there was never any mention of how debilitating the symptoms of bad menopause and how the work place needs to adjust to women working longer and longer in our society than they ever did before.
Oh and the icing on the cake for me was spending 10 minutes talking about how research has found you can reverse the menopause by taking an ovary out before they pack up altogether having it frozen and then re-implanted to the one left where it grafts and starts to generate hormones, and can even generate eggs - this was primarily for young women who had had cancer treatment - which in itself is absolutely brilliant dont get me wrong - but was completely out of context as there was no further information given on the number of women who suffer from all sorts of other surgical menopause and how it actually affects them.
And another 10 dispelling the male menopause ??? ::)
Urgh...shall I gone on....huh.."Telling the Truth about Menopause" - well that's the wrong title for the program. "Continuing the Myths around Menopause" more like! :bang:
Useless, flaming useless... >:( Nothing of practical use at all Kathleen....oh and no mention of this website!
Well I was shouting at the TV as well some of the time but I have mixed views about it. Yes it was only skimming the surface of the whole issue and the balance was probably not the best but I do think it was great that a whole hour of BBC primetime was devoted to this subject - and we have to remember that those of us who are discussing this on here know so much more than probably most women so we can see all the flaws and didn't really tell us much that we don't already know.
As with many of you I can pick so many holes in the programme and some of the information but I am so pleased that it has been aired and that even though there was a lot of discussion about some alternatives to HRT - the focus was very much from Mariella's point of view that HRT is beneficial.
Going through your points Ladybt
1) - yes for goodness sake why did they roll out Jenni Murray. She said she used to be obese :o. I can't imagine what she was like then as she still is!! I couldn't believe it when she said that she and her friends viewed wine as a non-alcoholic drink. Sad that they all got breast cancer - but attributing to HRT? After seeing the ( what I thought were new) stats on the risks of alcohol that said it all.
2) - they missed the point with the CBT - for a start several of those women were fat too so perhaps should have been focussing more on that - diet and exercise (as well as thryoid function tests in case this is the cause) instead!! When the results about CBT first came out the aim was to help women who could not take HRT due to breast cancer - having it or genetic high risk - and also that earlier research didn;t reduce hot flushes. This latest teeny tiny study - the women were identfiying triggers for flushes and that's great as this would reduce their incidence. Good therapy for women might not want to start HRT straight away or who might not be able to take it. They could have focussed more on the benefits of CBT for this section of women - who can't take it. The other thing they could have emphasised more is the benefit on mood - as a result of CBT, but not instead of but as well as HRT! This could help so many women who suffer residual hormonally induced anxiety even after taking HRT and if CBT can help their outlook and mood then this is much better than ADs being shoved down their throats by docs eager to get rid of them!!!
3) The bone density "study" with those volunteers really was not scientific at all!! Typical of these medical programmes to choose volunteers and compare the results - far too simplistic. Everyone should take more exercise. Full stop. Exercise alone as far as I know from the research - cannot prevent osteoporosis developing long term ... as for that poor fat woman - of course she couldn't exercise - I don't think it was fair to show her in that group. However excess weight should have been mentioned as something women need to deal with one way or another to improve their health as age progesses.
4) OOh vaginas - far too scary those things!!! It was so amusing the way it was quickly passed over by MF's gynae - who by the way looked like some weird dolled up American glitzy Barbie - not sure what. She was ghastly! Sorry! I shouldn't judge by appearances, her hair was ridiculous!
5) and 6) Totally agree - why wasn't sex and partners mentioned at all?! Too much for that time of the evening.... however that was a misssed opportunity because even though it was absolute rubbish the bit about male menopause - I think that was probably put in to get men watching - so golden opportunity to mention the sex and vagina issues with a captive audience!
7) Yes I covered this a bit above with CBT but needed to make more emphasis on this and helping women to have positive outlook AS WELL AS HRT.
8) Hmm yes not sure about the soy thing either
9) Yes that was what got me shouting to start with - MF's gynae testing her blood results although she did say she went more on symptoms - after saying MF's levels weren't as high as she wanted them? I mean why is she even thinking they should be higher - although we have no idea on dose or levels? If not high enough to prevent osteoporosis then I might agree.... I donlt think the NHS was mentioned at all was it? It did give a really false impression of the reailty of menopausal treatment. As for MF's having a mammogram every year - well I've had lumpy breasts and breast lumps but I don't get offered that!
10) Quite so re the workplace - I mean that ( those?) poor women who had to reduce hours due to menopause. I'm not ssure why some of them were not on HRT - especially the woman who was on the trial - I think maybe genetic history for breast cancer.
Yes the whole male menopause thing made me speechless - but as above I think designed to get men watching - my husband watched it all the way through and that is REALLY unusual for him. I thought he would go upstairs and go on his computer!!
The bit about repriming the ovaries was very interesting and fantastic for women going through early menopause - but good job the ideas wasn't suggested for older women - I mean this could mean resuming fertility, periods and the ability to conceive which is so wrong for women older than the usual age of conception and pregnancy.
There was too little emphasis on the detrimental effects of oestrogen deficiency - almost none except for osteoporosis ( unless my brain switched off and missed it) - and yes too much emphasis on hot flushes. That new drug - great for those who can't take it and gives them real hope - but doesn't actually prevent the decline in other functions as oestrogen disappears from our bodies...
Well anyway - I still think it was great to have shown it with all its faults and was a good advert for the benefits of HRT and trying to achieve a positive outlook on life - even though I was shouting at the TV!!! ;D
Happy days''' :)
Hurdity x
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LadyBT - me and U both :lol:
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This was my complaint to the BBC, once I actually managed to submit it - NB save your rant if you are doing one, in case it throws you off the site.
I am disappointed with the programme. I expected it to show non sufferers how devastating menopause can be, to cover the wide range of symptoms that many women suffer & how these affect our lives, relationships, careers etc. I felt that the programme gave the impression that women who suffered from hot flushes could largely overcome them with a positive mental attitude, that without exercise, all women would develop osteoporosis , but this would be solved by running. This was little or no discussion of symptoms of vaginal atrophy, insomnia, anxiety, lethargy & aches that can severely affect our lives. The programme strengthened the misconception that menopause is a few hot flushes & bad moods that women should just make an effort to get over. Including a section on male menopause was insulting. If another illness or disability was treated this way, there would be a public outcry. Would a programme about a flu epidemic include a section on man flu? Women & the people around them need to understand the menopause - not to be talked down to & made to feel bad for not overcoming the symptoms that are crushing them. What could have been a great opportunity to help millions of women was not just a lost opportunity, but trivialised the symptoms & over-egged the treatment. Not everyone has access to a private gynaecologist! And there's more than one type of HRT. How about a programme on how GPs are failing in their duty by not understanding a subject that affects so many of their patients, & do not even follow the NICE guidelines. I was misdiagnosed for years & have had trouble with relationships & my career due to the menopause. This programme only served to increase the problem & did nothing to help the thousands of women suffering difficult symptoms every day with no help from the NHS or their employer. Inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, biased, unhelpful, unimaginative, poor journalism.
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Hello again ladies.
The male menopause item was a joke and I think Mariella hinted as much. I love the way the patient slathered his testosterone gel all over his very hairy body. How much of that will be absorbed do you think? Then again the NHS doctor did mention that perhaps the main objective of this treatment was supporting the business model.
Hurdity - I agree with so much of your post. I agree that we shouldn't judge by appearances but the specialist did seem keen to look young and voluptuous which I found a bit distracting. When I saw her hair my first thought was of Lenny the Lion. Ladies of a certain age will know what I mean lol!.
Cath Laycock - Well done for writing to the BBC. It will be interesting to see any response.
Wishing you all well ladies.
K.
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Well said cath
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Yes Cath - extremely well put - failing GPs and Menopause - that should be a Panorama program - they are always the one banging on about cut backs, just imagine how much could be saved they knew what they were doing instead of sending us for loads of tests we don't need and prescribing ADs which are useless. Anyone looked at the post for the YouTube discussion with Louise Newsom listed here by SueLW - that's more like it
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I looked at it but it dropped out :-\
Good post Cath ........ but of course, there are lots of GPs/Medical Practitioners that are sympathetic and do help, mine included. Probably because his wife is my age? He diagnosed my VA :-* and with appropriate treatment, problem eased.
How many would be prepared to name and shame their GPs due to Solicitors banging on the door? This should be up to those running sites such as these and the Menopause 'society' [sorry can't remember the title :'(]. The BMA should be on the ball too however:
with the Psychiatrist practising who wasn't actually Licensed: for over 20 years >:( the more I hear the less I trust :-X (Bogus psychiatrist Zholia Alemi may have sanctioned the illegal detention of hundreds of patients, says a former Cumbrian NHS boss. )
So much for those dealing with vulnerable adults etc.. Maybe it's time for GPs to specialise within the Surgery situation? So that each has another 'knowledge' aside from being a General Practitioner? I wonder why the Drug Companies haven't stepped in to host evenings?
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Cath Laycock, hear hear.
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Hello Cath,
Well done!
Conolly X
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One thing you need to take account of is that TV programmes are made for entertainment and that comes first for producers. Facts and context are ‘nice to haves' and there will have been many more scenes that were cut out.
At least they mentioned anxiety which surprised me. Nothing again about nausea though. The CBT outcome I think genuinely surprised Mariela as she too didn't think it would have a significant effect. There is a lot more to it than just positive thinking and there may have been true impacts on the central nervous system as it's also been proven to reduce high blood pressure and can direct the brain to rebalance physical imbalances. (Have a read of Dr David Hamilton's work).
The Truth about the Pill was on last week which had a lot of overlap with Anne McGregor in it and they focused more on libido. You can probably find it on catch up.
That doctor's hair was very unsettling.
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Programme was utter rubbish.
I watched the recording last night and gave up after 45 mins. What a waste of a opportunity. Also, how many of us can just pop off to our private Gynaecologist etc., No mention of the lack of GP knowledge. No mention of aches and pains. No mention of crushing fatigue. The section on alternatives was shallow. The dismissal of the cancer risk was terrible as an extra one in 250 is one two many in my book.
I was speechless last night. :o
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It was so predictable. They didn't even mention how Gp's lack so much knowledge around peri menopause and treatments. The mens part was laughable. Why on earth that was relevant i'll never know?
It made a mockery of the crap that women go through.
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It would have been good to have opened with interviewing half a dozen women similar to the way she interviewed the lady with hot flushes.
They could have explained how menopause has impacted their lives, then gone on to say what treatment was offered by their NHS GP and whether they felt it had helped. Some could then have explained why they felt the need to pay privately, others why they had given up hope etc etc. This would have covered all bases as they could have included interviews of women who felt they were "sailing through" not just those whose lives were being severely disrupted.
I get the impression most of us have concluded this particular programme was a wasted opportunity. Perhaps one of the less pc channels will come up with one at some stage.
I eventually watched it yesterday. After reading many negative reviews I had low expectations. Actually I didn't think it was as bad as some viewers thought. At least it might have caused more people to think about it and discuss it more eg. on topics such as bone density. I found Jenni Murray's comments negative and think that it could have said a bit about VA and recurrent UTI's. I wish I had known about that when I was still in peri.
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