Vital Wellness Clinic

09/01/2025

Many of us have set new year resolutions, goals or intentions to improve aspects of our lives, which in my view is a great way to kickstart the year.

However, as many of you will also know, things don’t always work out as we planned.

Why?

Perhaps we were overly ambitious, or
We didn’t think it through or plan properly or
We struggled with motivation, or
We lacked accountability or
Life just got in the way!!

One of my intentions for this year is to reconnect with my sense of community. This idea was actually planted last year in September after attending the annual mindfulness gathering/ conference in Oxford. I had not realised how disconnected I was until I reconnected with my mindfulness community in that space. I came away feeling most nourished and at peace.

As some you may know, as well as being a Menopause specialist, I practice and teach mindfulness. My own practice nourishes me and sustains me through life’s travails. I believe it also enables me to bring a wholesome approach to my clinical practice.

To support my intention (and hopefully some of yours!) I will be offering guided monthly mindfulness practice sessions throughout 2025.

I am pledging half the proceeds from these sessions to Grassroots Su***de Prevention, to support the important work they do. Last year I lost a dear friend to su***de.

I hope you can join in. 🧡

The first session starts on the 15th January 2025 at 7.30pm

Further details can be found at

https://bit.ly/monthlymindfulnesspractice

🧘🏽‍♂️

#2025

21/10/2024

These findings are not surprising, sadly, and we know the reasons why.

It’s time to take concrete actions to address the inequalities; whether HRT is desired or not.

As individuals we need to empower ourselves with knowledge and advocate for ourselves and others.

As communities we need to speak more openly so that young girls and boys grow up knowing the facts and women are not ashamed to seek help

As healthcare professionals we need to educate ourselves on the cultural differences and nuances that determine how women from ethnic backgrounds experience the menopause.

It goes without saying that more research and resources are needed to ensure there is better understanding of these issues,

Now, let’s get to work people! We need to work together.

Exclusive: 10-year study finds menopausal women of Chinese and black African backgrounds about 80% less likely to get HRT

17/10/2024

Another fantastic evening of teaching; this time I was presenting to GP colleagues on the management of unscheduled (unexpected) bleeding in women on HRT; a complex but very common problem we see as healthcare professionals.

A problem that can cause much anxiety for both patients and clinicians due to concerns about endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the womb).

Unscheduled bleeding is bleeding that occurs if your periods had stopped and you are on continuous combined HRT; or bleeding that occurs in addition to your scheduled bleeding if you are on sequential HRT.

Bleeding at the start of HRT is not uncommon, but any bleeding that persists beyond six months after initiation, or three months after any changes needs further investigation.

There has been a rise in referrals for unscheduled bleeding in the last 3-4 years which correlates with a rise in HRT prescribing. Interestingly, it does not correlate with a rise in rates of endometrial cancer.

In my presentation I unpacked the latest guidance by the British Menopause Society on this topic with relevant case discussions. We know that HRT is safe but we need to ensure we are prescribing the correct doses of both oestrogen and progesterone.

There was a really positive energy in the room with much discussion and learning.

Once again, thank you Spire for supporting education and learning in the locality.

15/10/2024

Great evening yesterday hosted by for member of the public as we continue to celebrate

Although the theme this year is Hormone Replacement Therapy, it is important for women to be made aware of non-hormonal options. Not everyone wants HRT and not everyone can have HRT. We have many choices indeed.

As always I banged on about lifestyle!! For indeed lifestyle is the bedrock of any approach!!

Thank you Nick and Nicola for the invitation to speak.

15/10/2024

Great evening yesterday hosted by Spire Harpenden and Spire Healthcare for member of the public as we continue to celebrate

Although the theme this year is Hormone Replacement Therapy, it is important for women to be made aware of non-hormonal options. Not everyone wants HRT and not everyone can have HRT. We have many choices indeed.

As always I banged on about lifestyle!! For indeed lifestyle is the bedrock of any approach!!

Thank you Nick and Nicola for the invitation to speak.