Presenter Lisa Brady admits she’s more than a little obsessed with hormonal health, so it is with great excitement that she delves into the world of women’s health in the latest episode of Health Me, brought to you by Healthspan.
Aged 46 and with two daughters, Lisa speaks with Dr Caoimhe Hartley, a GP and menopause specialist with over 15 years’ experience, about supporting women through midlife and the hormonal turbulence that accompanies it.
In their enlightening conversation, Lisa and Dr Hartley explore how, at long last, Ireland is beginning to truly acknowledge and better understand women’s health, hormones, and menstruation not only in the medical field, but culturally as well.
There was a time, Dr Hartley reflects, when periods or any related issues were taboo, and women’s health concerns were routinely dismissed as simply 'being hormonal'.
A longstanding lack of investment in women’s health research coupled with shame and societal silence meant that many women suffered behind closed doors. But change is underway. In the past decade, what Dr Hartley calls 'medical misogyny' has begun to shift.
While the wait for an endometriosis diagnosis is still far too long, there is now the existence of specialist endometriosis hubs. Moreover, six complex menopause hubs have been established within national hospitals, with Dr Hartley herself leading the one at the Rotunda.
Culturally, there is also a growing movement towards awareness, education, and the encouragement to speak openly about hormonal health.
During the episode of Health Me, Dr Hartley sheds light on the often-misunderstood realm of PMS (premenstrual syndrome). She emphasises that our understanding has evolved - it’s no longer just about physical symptoms, but includes the emotional rollercoaster many women experience, from low mood and anxiety to irritability.
The root of this, she explains, lies in the brain’s response to hormonal fluctuations. In cases of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), it’s not that hormone levels are more extreme, but rather that the brain interprets those fluctuations differently - a response that may even have a genetic basis.
These symptoms often worsen during perimenopause, adding another layer of complexity.
Lisa and Dr Hartley also discuss the current explosion of information around women’s midlife health. While this is largely positive, Dr Hartley offers a word of caution: beware of fearmongering, disinformation, and the over-medicalisation of natural processes.
Striking a balance is key; ensuring women have access to proper medical consultations and evidence-based advice.
One of the most compelling parts of their discussion is around how subjective hormonal health really is. No two women experience it the same way.
Among perimenopausal women, the most frequently cited concerns relate to cognitive impact, from brain fog and diminished executive function to anxiety, with some even fearing early-onset dementia.
Dr Hartley outlines both medical and lifestyle interventions that can help ease these symptoms and discusses the genetic links between menopause, brain function, and ageing.
Stigma around ageing, especially for women, is another hurdle that still persists. But as Dr Hartley reminds listeners, there is joy to be found in this new phase of life.
Understanding that what’s happening is the brain adjusting to a new normal can be deeply reassuring, especially now that support and awareness are finally catching up.
If you’d like to listen to Dr Caoimhe Hartley on the Health Me podcast, brought to you by Healthspan, you can check it out here or wherever you get your podcasts.
