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