You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from News Talks dB.

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Because I'm a bigger, I'm a grinner, I'm a lover and I'm a sinner.

Because I'm a bigger, I'm a grinner, I'm a lover and I'm a sinner.

I blame my.

I blame my.

Music in this.

Music in this.

I'm a joker, I'm a swelker, I'm an talk.

I'm a joker, I'm a swelker, I'm an talk.

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Bill.

My love and.

My love and.

Ala, Yes, welcome back. This is the Weekend Collective. I'm Tim Beverage. By the way, if you miss any of the hours, you can go and check out our podcast. Go to the News Talks hed bet dot Curt and zero and go to iHeartRadio and look for the Weekend Collective. We get our stuff up online pretty quickly, so you won't have to wait too long at all.

Ala, Yes, welcome back. This is the Weekend Collective. I'm Tim Beverage. By the way, if you miss any of the hours, you can go and check out our podcast. Go to the News Talks hed bet dot Curt and zero and go to iHeartRadio and look for the Weekend Collective. We get our stuff up online pretty quickly, so you won't have to wait too long at all.

Welcome to the Health.

Welcome to the Health.

We want your calls on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty text nine to nine to two. And this afternoon we're talking menopause. And of course, you know, it's been one of those conversations I my guests'm about to introduce and just the second I had a chat with her if you, probably about a year or so ago, and I remember feeling very very nervous about talking about menopause because it seemed a little bit taboo and something that people went comfortable talking about but it seems that times are changing. But I want to know from you, how comfortable are you talking about menopause, whether as someone who's going through it or about to go through it, or perhaps the partner of someone who may be going through it, And would you be comfortable saying I don't know how you start that conversation, are you is there any chance you're going through menopause? I can't see that conversation starting too well. But to navigate these issues, we want you to give us a call on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. But we are joined by Nicki Bizant. She is the co host of the upcoming Hot Mess Tour.

We want your calls on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty text nine to nine to two. And this afternoon we're talking menopause. And of course, you know, it's been one of those conversations I my guests'm about to introduce and just the second I had a chat with her if you, probably about a year or so ago, and I remember feeling very very nervous about talking about menopause because it seemed a little bit taboo and something that people went comfortable talking about but it seems that times are changing. But I want to know from you, how comfortable are you talking about menopause, whether as someone who's going through it or about to go through it, or perhaps the partner of someone who may be going through it, And would you be comfortable saying I don't know how you start that conversation, are you is there any chance you're going through menopause? I can't see that conversation starting too well. But to navigate these issues, we want you to give us a call on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. But we are joined by Nicki Bizant. She is the co host of the upcoming Hot Mess Tour.

And she's with us now. Nikki, good afternoon, Sam.

And she's with us now. Nikki, good afternoon, Sam.

You and I have actually been talking about this for nearly more than two years. Yes, my first book.

You and I have actually been talking about this for nearly more than two years. Yes, my first book.

It's two years. Yea gosh.

It's two years. Yea gosh.

I was going to say cheekily like, because I was going to say, you are the Queen of menopause.

I was going to say cheekily like, because I was going to say, you are the Queen of menopause.

But.

But.

I'll take it.

I'll take it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I did feel it was funny because at the time I thought before you came in and I thought I was actually a little nervous about how to navigate it. But it was actually a fantastic conversation. But has Okay, so we've been doing it for well since it was two years since I chatted to you and you had your new book out, which was your first book out. I think it was coming out. Yeah, this changes everything.

I did feel it was funny because at the time I thought before you came in and I thought I was actually a little nervous about how to navigate it. But it was actually a fantastic conversation. But has Okay, so we've been doing it for well since it was two years since I chatted to you and you had your new book out, which was your first book out. I think it was coming out. Yeah, this changes everything.

Yeah that was in twenty twenty two.

Yeah that was in twenty twenty two.

Okay, And how's the conversation gone with menopause?

Okay, And how's the conversation gone with menopause?

Do you think we're more comfortable about it?

Do you think we're more comfortable about it?

Well? I am probably in a bit of a menopause bubble. I'm talking about menopause all the time, so I may have a slightly skewed view of it. But I do think that we are more comfortable talking about it now than we were, Say, you know when I started researching this, was it like five years ago? Yeah, there was just nothing. There was silence on it. So I think that we've definitely become more comfortable discussing it, and certainly amongst women, there's a lot more conversations going on in all age groups too. I think.

Well? I am probably in a bit of a menopause bubble. I'm talking about menopause all the time, so I may have a slightly skewed view of it. But I do think that we are more comfortable talking about it now than we were, Say, you know when I started researching this, was it like five years ago? Yeah, there was just nothing. There was silence on it. So I think that we've definitely become more comfortable discussing it, and certainly amongst women, there's a lot more conversations going on in all age groups too. I think.

Yeah, I came out, okay with a dumb question. I can't remember if I know the answer to this. We actually have we as a general population, or at least with women, known about menopause and what it is. How long since the veil started getting lifted about changes that happened with women.

Yeah, I came out, okay with a dumb question. I can't remember if I know the answer to this. We actually have we as a general population, or at least with women, known about menopause and what it is. How long since the veil started getting lifted about changes that happened with women.

Well, we've always known it since the dawn of medicine.

Well, we've always known it since the dawn of medicine.

Because of just the physical change.

Because of just the physical change.

Yeah, yeah, that there's a change in women's bodies and that we can't keep having babies forever. So I think that's that's long been known. The knowledge of hormones is actually quite a young science, almost went discovered really until the thirty twentieth century, believe it or not.

Yeah, yeah, that there's a change in women's bodies and that we can't keep having babies forever. So I think that's that's long been known. The knowledge of hormones is actually quite a young science, almost went discovered really until the thirty twentieth century, believe it or not.

Well, that doesn't surprise you. Yeah, it's quite a complex area of science.

Well, that doesn't surprise you. Yeah, it's quite a complex area of science.

Yeah, So the influence of hormones and how that impacts menopause is probably only very new within the last hundred years.

Yeah, So the influence of hormones and how that impacts menopause is probably only very new within the last hundred years.

Is it, because it would have been taboo at one stage, and there probably are some senses of taboos, to be honest, I don't know if I it was an issue for me, whether how comfortable i'd be, how I would raise the topic of menopause with whether either my wife or a friend or anyone. It's not iboul to feel like keep out of it until it gets brought up.

Is it, because it would have been taboo at one stage, and there probably are some senses of taboos, to be honest, I don't know if I it was an issue for me, whether how comfortable i'd be, how I would raise the topic of menopause with whether either my wife or a friend or anyone. It's not iboul to feel like keep out of it until it gets brought up.

Yeah, I mean it can be tricky inside relationships, I think to talk about.

Yeah, I mean it can be tricky inside relationships, I think to talk about.

But especially if you're just had an argument.

But especially if you're just had an argument.

Yeah, yeah, saying I know why you're so cranky. That's probably not the way to do it. I do get asked about that quite a bit, actually, but I think that there is some empathy that can be built by talking about it inside a relationship. Yeah, it's quite important.

Yeah, yeah, saying I know why you're so cranky. That's probably not the way to do it. I do get asked about that quite a bit, actually, but I think that there is some empathy that can be built by talking about it inside a relationship. Yeah, it's quite important.

To do that.

To do that.

About minopause as a something that we are comfortable talking about has been taboo for generations really until very recently.

About minopause as a something that we are comfortable talking about has been taboo for generations really until very recently.

Well, how did you notice the reaction to when you've wrote your first book and over the last two or three years, what's the journey for you've been on that? And I know you've said you're living in a menopause bubble, but the people who talk to you are not in the bubble there.

Well, how did you notice the reaction to when you've wrote your first book and over the last two or three years, what's the journey for you've been on that? And I know you've said you're living in a menopause bubble, but the people who talk to you are not in the bubble there.

No.

No.

I mean I do a lot of as you know, I do a lot of speaking on menopause in workplaces. And the reaction there has been from the start and is still so there's kind of this gratitude that comes like, thank you for starting this conversation, thank you for talking about it. Now we feel that we can talk about it too, especially in a workplace where it's a kind of an environment where you might not feel comfortable talking about it, or you might feel unsure about how it's going to be received. To start a conversation. Sometimes when someone like me, who's an outsider, comes in and starts the conversation, it just sort of gives everybody a big sigh of relief and they can go, oh, excellent, now we can talk about this and it's okay.

I mean I do a lot of as you know, I do a lot of speaking on menopause in workplaces. And the reaction there has been from the start and is still so there's kind of this gratitude that comes like, thank you for starting this conversation, thank you for talking about it. Now we feel that we can talk about it too, especially in a workplace where it's a kind of an environment where you might not feel comfortable talking about it, or you might feel unsure about how it's going to be received. To start a conversation. Sometimes when someone like me, who's an outsider, comes in and starts the conversation, it just sort of gives everybody a big sigh of relief and they can go, oh, excellent, now we can talk about this and it's okay.

Are there some?

Are there some?

Are there many prominent sort of celebrities who talk about it that have made it easier in terms of acknowledging their own journey with it.

Are there many prominent sort of celebrities who talk about it that have made it easier in terms of acknowledging their own journey with it.

Well, Oprah is just about to release a big menopause special, so you can't get much bigger than that. No, lots of Hollywood names have opened up on menopause now because all these women are in this age group. You know, I think of all about gen X kind of heart throbs and idols. They're all in this age group now, so a lot of them are talking about it. Halle Berry. You know, Naomi Watts has got her own company of minopause products. This is all happening.

Well, Oprah is just about to release a big menopause special, so you can't get much bigger than that. No, lots of Hollywood names have opened up on menopause now because all these women are in this age group. You know, I think of all about gen X kind of heart throbs and idols. They're all in this age group now, so a lot of them are talking about it. Halle Berry. You know, Naomi Watts has got her own company of minopause products. This is all happening.

I still think of Nami, what's has been about thirty years old. But I guess it's just a sign of how quickly time passes it.

I still think of Nami, what's has been about thirty years old. But I guess it's just a sign of how quickly time passes it.

Now.

Now.

I've actually was chatting with a younger colleague about this, and she was saying, one of the one of the changes that will come is when the Gen Z and maybe even Gen Y, when menopause comes around for them, it's really going to be very out in the open because they're the generation who share everything about that. They don't really seem to want to hide much about everything. They share and share and share, whereas we still have a generation of the Baby Boomers to Generation X who may be a little conservative with what they really want to share publicly.

I've actually was chatting with a younger colleague about this, and she was saying, one of the one of the changes that will come is when the Gen Z and maybe even Gen Y, when menopause comes around for them, it's really going to be very out in the open because they're the generation who share everything about that. They don't really seem to want to hide much about everything. They share and share and share, whereas we still have a generation of the Baby Boomers to Generation X who may be a little conservative with what they really want to share publicly.

Yeah, that's probably true. I mean, I do think my generation Gen X are a pretty good at problem solving, you know, and so we're not so keen to be fobbed off and told look, no you can't have that treatment, or what's happening to you is just something you have to put up with. Yeah, that's not for us. And the millennials are coming through now. The oldest of the millennials is heading perimenopause now, so you know, they also are not a generation that's just going to sit back and not find a solution to what's happening with them. They want the knowledge. They're very you know, they're very keen to understand what.

Yeah, that's probably true. I mean, I do think my generation Gen X are a pretty good at problem solving, you know, and so we're not so keen to be fobbed off and told look, no you can't have that treatment, or what's happening to you is just something you have to put up with. Yeah, that's not for us. And the millennials are coming through now. The oldest of the millennials is heading perimenopause now, so you know, they also are not a generation that's just going to sit back and not find a solution to what's happening with them. They want the knowledge. They're very you know, they're very keen to understand what.

Age of millennials I've lost track.

Age of millennials I've lost track.

Well, the old oldest millennials are in their forties.

Well, the old oldest millennials are in their forties.

Now, okay, yeah, all right, okay, it's together because on average, I mean they don't want to generalize what age does it start becoming quite common at that age that you're going to be looking at pause kicking.

Now, okay, yeah, all right, okay, it's together because on average, I mean they don't want to generalize what age does it start becoming quite common at that age that you're going to be looking at pause kicking.

In the average age of menopause is around about fifty one of minnopause, but perimenopause, which is all the time leading up to menopause, that can be anywhere between two and ten years. So feasibly you can you can start hitting perimenopause even in your thirties. You're like thirties most of us, it'll be in your forties somewhere.

In the average age of menopause is around about fifty one of minnopause, but perimenopause, which is all the time leading up to menopause, that can be anywhere between two and ten years. So feasibly you can you can start hitting perimenopause even in your thirties. You're like thirties most of us, it'll be in your forties somewhere.

So what I've actually, if I remember rightly, when people talking about going through menopause, they're broadly speaking about it's all perimenopause, because the menopause are simply the day that you stop ovulating, isn't it is that it's the day.

So what I've actually, if I remember rightly, when people talking about going through menopause, they're broadly speaking about it's all perimenopause, because the menopause are simply the day that you stop ovulating, isn't it is that it's the day.

It's one year. Technically it's one year. I've your last period, so you've had no ovarian you had no cycle for a year, then that's technically menopause. But everything leading up to that date is what we know is perimenopause, and you're right, that is the time when often we're having quite a lot of symptoms and things can be quite disrupted and turbulent that we might think of that as menopause, but it's actually technically referred to as the menopause transition. So it's a whole period of time.

It's one year. Technically it's one year. I've your last period, so you've had no ovarian you had no cycle for a year, then that's technically menopause. But everything leading up to that date is what we know is perimenopause, and you're right, that is the time when often we're having quite a lot of symptoms and things can be quite disrupted and turbulent that we might think of that as menopause, but it's actually technically referred to as the menopause transition. So it's a whole period of time.

Okay, okay, I'll specialize in dumb questions as a man. So it seems to me logical that if it's a year, if menopause is actually a year after your last period, then in fact the final few months of perimenopause may not be so bad. Is because you've gone through the journey which leads up to that stop or are they are big hormonal changes that happen after your final period?

Okay, okay, I'll specialize in dumb questions as a man. So it seems to me logical that if it's a year, if menopause is actually a year after your last period, then in fact the final few months of perimenopause may not be so bad. Is because you've gone through the journey which leads up to that stop or are they are big hormonal changes that happen after your final period?

Yeah, there still can be Like what's happening during perimenopause is actually not this kind of slow and steady decline that you might be imagining of estrogen, which is our main film right here. It's actually kind of like a roller coaster a right, It's going up and down, up and down in a crazy roller coaster way. And that can still be happening after your last period for a little while until it kind of calms down. It does tend to calm down post menopause and become much more stable than women who are a bit older and through the other side off and talk about how much better and more calm and more stable they feel. But the turbulence can last for quite a long time.

Yeah, there still can be Like what's happening during perimenopause is actually not this kind of slow and steady decline that you might be imagining of estrogen, which is our main film right here. It's actually kind of like a roller coaster a right, It's going up and down, up and down in a crazy roller coaster way. And that can still be happening after your last period for a little while until it kind of calms down. It does tend to calm down post menopause and become much more stable than women who are a bit older and through the other side off and talk about how much better and more calm and more stable they feel. But the turbulence can last for quite a long time.

So before we get before, we will love to have your cause anytime, if you've got some questions for Nikki, she's been working on and she's written a couple of books on menopause. The first one is This Changes Everything, and then the second one, which I think was released about a year ago, is The Everything God by Nicki Bizant. So we'd love to hear from you. In fact, even I don't mean even guys, I mean guys as well, because actually I think men, the more you know, the better you can support your partners, would be the way I think we'd put it, isn't it.

So before we get before, we will love to have your cause anytime, if you've got some questions for Nikki, she's been working on and she's written a couple of books on menopause. The first one is This Changes Everything, and then the second one, which I think was released about a year ago, is The Everything God by Nicki Bizant. So we'd love to hear from you. In fact, even I don't mean even guys, I mean guys as well, because actually I think men, the more you know, the better you can support your partners, would be the way I think we'd put it, isn't it.

Nay, Absolutely, it's really important for men to understand.

Nay, Absolutely, it's really important for men to understand.

And we're not going to be taking any questions on the male menopause, okay, because we get people who call about the mail pause. We're talking about women's women going through menopause, and we want your cause. I know e one hundred and eight ten eighty but before we go to the break because you're doing the hot it's great.

And we're not going to be taking any questions on the male menopause, okay, because we get people who call about the mail pause. We're talking about women's women going through menopause, and we want your cause. I know e one hundred and eight ten eighty but before we go to the break because you're doing the hot it's great.

And how did you come up with the title the Hot Mess?

And how did you come up with the title the Hot Mess?

I don't actually know how we came up that you might have been. It might have been Petra, or it might have been Lou our collaborator who's helping us as well.

I don't actually know how we came up that you might have been. It might have been Petra, or it might have been Lou our collaborator who's helping us as well.

What is the Hot Mess Tour?

What is the Hot Mess Tour?

It is an evening with Petra Vegas and myself talking about all the things to do with menopause and midlife, just unpacking it all, having some laughs, learning lots of stuff and sharing together. I think it's going to be lots of fun.

It is an evening with Petra Vegas and myself talking about all the things to do with menopause and midlife, just unpacking it all, having some laughs, learning lots of stuff and sharing together. I think it's going to be lots of fun.

Yeah, do you do you sort of have it sort of mapped out in terms of the initial part of the evening scripted and how much of it as audience participation.

Yeah, do you do you sort of have it sort of mapped out in terms of the initial part of the evening scripted and how much of it as audience participation.

Well, we want to try and get a bit of a sense of where the audience is at. One thing that I've noticed over my kind of three years I guess of speaking on menopause is that the knowledge of my audiences has grown. You know, when I first started out, no one knew much about menopause at all, Whereas now I think we're a little bit where they're on the journey. People tend to know a little bit more. So we want to understand where where the group is coming from and what stage they're at. So there will be a little bit of audience participation, and then there will be quite a lot of learning where we're getting into digging into all of the ins and outs of menopause, what it is, what the symptoms are, how what we can do to support ourselves through this time, all of that kind of stuff.

Well, we want to try and get a bit of a sense of where the audience is at. One thing that I've noticed over my kind of three years I guess of speaking on menopause is that the knowledge of my audiences has grown. You know, when I first started out, no one knew much about menopause at all, Whereas now I think we're a little bit where they're on the journey. People tend to know a little bit more. So we want to understand where where the group is coming from and what stage they're at. So there will be a little bit of audience participation, and then there will be quite a lot of learning where we're getting into digging into all of the ins and outs of menopause, what it is, what the symptoms are, how what we can do to support ourselves through this time, all of that kind of stuff.

How much of it is myth busting? How many myths are there around menopause?

How much of it is myth busting? How many myths are there around menopause?

Can I imagine quite a lot?

Can I imagine quite a lot?

There is quite a lot. Yeah, And there's incident in all areas really, because what's happening now, of course, is that we are seeing not just information from the likes of me, but if you go on to social media, if you're a woman in this age group, you are bombarded now with a whole lot of information about menopause, which I think is great, never used to be that. But it's also the other side of that is that some of it can be conflicting, some of it can be wrong.

There is quite a lot. Yeah, And there's incident in all areas really, because what's happening now, of course, is that we are seeing not just information from the likes of me, but if you go on to social media, if you're a woman in this age group, you are bombarded now with a whole lot of information about menopause, which I think is great, never used to be that. But it's also the other side of that is that some of it can be conflicting, some of it can be wrong.

Yeah, Because if there's money to be made, there's always a snake oil salesperson out there pushing the latest thing to deal with your symptoms which may actually have either do nothing, we're actually not be particularly helpful or even harmful.

Yeah, Because if there's money to be made, there's always a snake oil salesperson out there pushing the latest thing to deal with your symptoms which may actually have either do nothing, we're actually not be particularly helpful or even harmful.

Yeah, there's tons of marketing now. There's products everywhere being marketed at women to sort of solve the problems of menopause, which may or may not be real problems, or may or may not be solvable in fact. So the market is I've seen this in the world of nutrition as well, which is where I've written for a long time. The marketers can get a little bit ahead of the science on a lot of the claims around what they can and can't do. You'll see programs and diets and supplements and all kinds of things being sold, and so that's that can be confusing. So there's a we do some mythbusting around some of that stuff, and we get some stories from people. We're going to have some local heroes talking about their experience as well, and we'll talk about our own experiences.

Yeah, there's tons of marketing now. There's products everywhere being marketed at women to sort of solve the problems of menopause, which may or may not be real problems, or may or may not be solvable in fact. So the market is I've seen this in the world of nutrition as well, which is where I've written for a long time. The marketers can get a little bit ahead of the science on a lot of the claims around what they can and can't do. You'll see programs and diets and supplements and all kinds of things being sold, and so that's that can be confusing. So there's a we do some mythbusting around some of that stuff, and we get some stories from people. We're going to have some local heroes talking about their experience as well, and we'll talk about our own experiences.

How do you actually find the local heroes to talk about their stories? Is it just through meeting and greeting or through the course of what you've done the last three years?

How do you actually find the local heroes to talk about their stories? Is it just through meeting and greeting or through the course of what you've done the last three years?

The men network, you know networks, there's lots of us.

The men network, you know networks, there's lots of us.

We'd love we'd love to take your calls on this, any questions you've got for Nikki or sharing your experience. The broad question I've got for just talkbackers, and I guess it's going to be a sort of a self fulfilling question, will be how comfortable are we talking about menopause now? And we're going to dig and dig into that this hour. But also, you know the taboos around it, what are the myths and some of the you know, let's put some myths to rest show we as well. Well, when you get a moment, you can give us a call. Oh eight one hundred eighty ten eighty text nine two nine two on tim Beverage. This is a health hub with Nicki Bsant, co host of the Hot Mess Tour. Great name back in the moment. It's twenty past four, right, we're going to get straight into it. By the way, some people have said, how do I get in touch with Niki? You can just go to Nicki Byzant dot co dot nz.

We'd love we'd love to take your calls on this, any questions you've got for Nikki or sharing your experience. The broad question I've got for just talkbackers, and I guess it's going to be a sort of a self fulfilling question, will be how comfortable are we talking about menopause now? And we're going to dig and dig into that this hour. But also, you know the taboos around it, what are the myths and some of the you know, let's put some myths to rest show we as well. Well, when you get a moment, you can give us a call. Oh eight one hundred eighty ten eighty text nine two nine two on tim Beverage. This is a health hub with Nicki Bsant, co host of the Hot Mess Tour. Great name back in the moment. It's twenty past four, right, we're going to get straight into it. By the way, some people have said, how do I get in touch with Niki? You can just go to Nicki Byzant dot co dot nz.

Oops. Sorry, we'll just turn that on.

Oops. Sorry, we'll just turn that on.

There.

There.

There we go, Nicky Bissant dot com dot com or else. You can find me on Instagram Nikky Bizant. I'm pretty easy to find.

There we go, Nicky Bissant dot com dot com or else. You can find me on Instagram Nikky Bizant. I'm pretty easy to find.

And the Hot Mess tour people want to Yeah, so you.

And the Hot Mess tour people want to Yeah, so you.

Can go to hot Mess Tour dot n Z. Now we've sold out christ Church and Auckland, but we're still We're still got tickets available. A few tickets available for for Rotorua on the I need to get this right on the eighth of April and then Queenstown is this Saturday night on.

Can go to hot Mess Tour dot n Z. Now we've sold out christ Church and Auckland, but we're still We're still got tickets available. A few tickets available for for Rotorua on the I need to get this right on the eighth of April and then Queenstown is this Saturday night on.

A good stuff Okay, looks like the start of I think you might be doing some extra shows at some stage, just be a wild guest. But anyway, your time to chance to talk to Nicky and let's kick it off with Karen.

A good stuff Okay, looks like the start of I think you might be doing some extra shows at some stage, just be a wild guest. But anyway, your time to chance to talk to Nicky and let's kick it off with Karen.

Karen.

Karen.

Hello, Hi, how are you good? Thanks?

Hello, Hi, how are you good? Thanks?

Hi Karen, Hi, Yeah, Look, my.

Hi Karen, Hi, Yeah, Look, my.

Question is just I'm just wondering what your thoughts on are about natural supplements versus going on HRT, either the patch or the estrogen patch or the gel. Just there seems to be so much slipper of information and it's hard to kind of know where to start.

Question is just I'm just wondering what your thoughts on are about natural supplements versus going on HRT, either the patch or the estrogen patch or the gel. Just there seems to be so much slipper of information and it's hard to kind of know where to start.

I know, there is a lot of information out there and it is hard to start. The thing to know about hormone therapy, so are you talking about the patches in the gel is that this is a very well researched treatment and a very we now know a very safe, an effective treatment for most women and can be really a big help if you're struggling with symptoms. So that's something to talk to your doctor about. The supplement side of things is less well researched, and the current state of play is really that there's nothing in the supplement area that they have found to be as effective as hormone therapy. It doesn't mean it doesn't mean that those things aren't useful, and I think they can definitely be a support to you if you you know, a part of the puzzle, like there's no one magical solution here, We're not Hormone therapy is not going to solve all the problems, and NEI there is any supplement, just like with anything. So I think I always say with supplements, if you find something that you think is working well and you find it helpful and you can afford it, it's not giving you side effects, then you know, go for your life. Just know that there is not a huge body of evidence on most of them.

I know, there is a lot of information out there and it is hard to start. The thing to know about hormone therapy, so are you talking about the patches in the gel is that this is a very well researched treatment and a very we now know a very safe, an effective treatment for most women and can be really a big help if you're struggling with symptoms. So that's something to talk to your doctor about. The supplement side of things is less well researched, and the current state of play is really that there's nothing in the supplement area that they have found to be as effective as hormone therapy. It doesn't mean it doesn't mean that those things aren't useful, and I think they can definitely be a support to you if you you know, a part of the puzzle, like there's no one magical solution here, We're not Hormone therapy is not going to solve all the problems, and NEI there is any supplement, just like with anything. So I think I always say with supplements, if you find something that you think is working well and you find it helpful and you can afford it, it's not giving you side effects, then you know, go for your life. Just know that there is not a huge body of evidence on most of them.

Actually, just to go chip and what Karen's that the last time we spoke, I think Nikki there was almost a shortage of them. There was a problem with supply of the hormone replacement therapy wasn't there.

Actually, just to go chip and what Karen's that the last time we spoke, I think Nikki there was almost a shortage of them. There was a problem with supply of the hormone replacement therapy wasn't there.

Yeah, that's that's the patterns the patches, And there's still a problem with patches. The supply is a little bit globally is a bit of as a bit of an issue. Farm Meker working on that at the moment and they have just on Friday released their proposal for funding of two different brands of patches for the future. And so it's time for all of us women on hormone therapy to get our submissions and give feedback on that at the moment. So you can go to the FARMAC website.

Yeah, that's that's the patterns the patches, And there's still a problem with patches. The supply is a little bit globally is a bit of as a bit of an issue. Farm Meker working on that at the moment and they have just on Friday released their proposal for funding of two different brands of patches for the future. And so it's time for all of us women on hormone therapy to get our submissions and give feedback on that at the moment. So you can go to the FARMAC website.

And forgetting that you need it prescribed by.

And forgetting that you need it prescribed by.

By your GP or by a doctor.

By your GP or by a doctor.

Yeah, okay, well got it, Karen, Thanks for your call.

Yeah, okay, well got it, Karen, Thanks for your call.

Any anything else.

Any anything else.

That is there's still because I haven't been to the doctor recently, and there's still issue with getting the sources of the.

That is there's still because I haven't been to the doctor recently, and there's still issue with getting the sources of the.

Patch that there is. There is a supply and you know you should be able to get them now, but it's just you're probably not going to be able to get a choice of brand if there's a particular brand. Woe prefer certain brands and you can't. It's pretty much like of the drawer whether you can get you know, the brand of choice, is.

Patch that there is. There is a supply and you know you should be able to get them now, but it's just you're probably not going to be able to get a choice of brand if there's a particular brand. Woe prefer certain brands and you can't. It's pretty much like of the drawer whether you can get you know, the brand of choice, is.

The technology or the science is it all proprietary as it owned by various The hormone replacement is it's not something that anyone can manufacture. It's particular companies that have developed it.

The technology or the science is it all proprietary as it owned by various The hormone replacement is it's not something that anyone can manufacture. It's particular companies that have developed it.

And well, it's the hormones are generic. It's estradiole basically is the estrogen patch, and anyone can develop a product like that. But the delivery mechanisms are you know that they are different. So a different patch will have a different adhesive, and it's the adhesive that it absorbs through the adhesive, which, if it makes sense.

And well, it's the hormones are generic. It's estradiole basically is the estrogen patch, and anyone can develop a product like that. But the delivery mechanisms are you know that they are different. So a different patch will have a different adhesive, and it's the adhesive that it absorbs through the adhesive, which, if it makes sense.

So yeah, there are different versions of.

So yeah, there are different versions of.

The same thing.

The same thing.

Yeah, but so some people find that one brand will work better for them than another brand, even though technically not the same medication. It's just the delivery is a little bit different.

Yeah, but so some people find that one brand will work better for them than another brand, even though technically not the same medication. It's just the delivery is a little bit different.

Yeah, okay, right, let's take some more calls. Eight hundred and eighty ten eight. If you've got any questions for Nicki or anything you'd like to share about menopause, we'd love to hear from you.

Yeah, okay, right, let's take some more calls. Eight hundred and eighty ten eight. If you've got any questions for Nicki or anything you'd like to share about menopause, we'd love to hear from you.

And and.

And and.

Hi, idea, heini, how are you? Hi? Am Hi, Hey, I'm posting a portal. In my mid fifties and started to gain weight to we see it in the Cumming area. I'm getting on Facebook because I've looked up you know, as you look on different things. I'm getting hammered by advertising from a particular company about collagen, PEP tie and hormone harmony and things like that just bearaged all the time. Yeah, are those things that's in particular happy members hard of the situation? How do those things walk at all? I or think is a bit more a load of possible.

Hi, idea, heini, how are you? Hi? Am Hi, Hey, I'm posting a portal. In my mid fifties and started to gain weight to we see it in the Cumming area. I'm getting on Facebook because I've looked up you know, as you look on different things. I'm getting hammered by advertising from a particular company about collagen, PEP tie and hormone harmony and things like that just bearaged all the time. Yeah, are those things that's in particular happy members hard of the situation? How do those things walk at all? I or think is a bit more a load of possible.

I think a lot of it is marketing hype and probably quite exploitative. I don't think that they often have a good amount of evidence behind them. And I think that that particular hormone harmony, this idea of balancing your hormones is kind of a myth anyway, So anyone that uses that kind of language, and also especially I have a real beef with the people targeting, you know, the meno bally type stuff. I think that is really just exploitative and targeting women when they're vulnerable. And some of that stuff is just stuff that happens to our bodies as we get older. And there's nothing that anything that any pill that you take, whether it's a supplement or a medication, can help with that. We're better off doing other things, spending our money in other areas that make us feel good and actually do improve our health, you know, like good food, like exercise, that kind of stuff.

I think a lot of it is marketing hype and probably quite exploitative. I don't think that they often have a good amount of evidence behind them. And I think that that particular hormone harmony, this idea of balancing your hormones is kind of a myth anyway, So anyone that uses that kind of language, and also especially I have a real beef with the people targeting, you know, the meno bally type stuff. I think that is really just exploitative and targeting women when they're vulnerable. And some of that stuff is just stuff that happens to our bodies as we get older. And there's nothing that anything that any pill that you take, whether it's a supplement or a medication, can help with that. We're better off doing other things, spending our money in other areas that make us feel good and actually do improve our health, you know, like good food, like exercise, that kind of stuff.

Because it's not about balancing hormones. It's the clue is in the product. It's replacement therapy.

Because it's not about balancing hormones. It's the clue is in the product. It's replacement therapy.

So is that right?

So is that right?

Is that the clue wide balancing your hormones isn't well.

Is that the clue wide balancing your hormones isn't well.

Our hormones no matter what age we are, whether we're in menopause or pre or you know, in our reproductive years, our hormones are always going up and down. Especially as women, they're going up and down and fluctuating all the time. So the idea of them being in perfect balance, it doesn't make any sense. Yeah, hormone therapy is not really it's not really replacing hormones to the point that you were before you went through menopause. But it is kind of evening out symptoms that you're having.

Our hormones no matter what age we are, whether we're in menopause or pre or you know, in our reproductive years, our hormones are always going up and down. Especially as women, they're going up and down and fluctuating all the time. So the idea of them being in perfect balance, it doesn't make any sense. Yeah, hormone therapy is not really it's not really replacing hormones to the point that you were before you went through menopause. But it is kind of evening out symptoms that you're having.

By the way, and there's one thing I can help you with. If you are sick of being bombarded with ads on Facebook, you can actually go into your you can go into your settings if you just google how to stop being targeted on Facebook for whatever? AI will give AI will give you an idea. And also you can also click on the ads and go stop seeing these sorts of ads I think, but you can't.

By the way, and there's one thing I can help you with. If you are sick of being bombarded with ads on Facebook, you can actually go into your you can go into your settings if you just google how to stop being targeted on Facebook for whatever? AI will give AI will give you an idea. And also you can also click on the ads and go stop seeing these sorts of ads I think, but you can't.

You can actually do something about it.

You can actually do something about it.

And just but if you google that, you'll get some good information. AI has got a pretty good overview of it.

And just but if you google that, you'll get some good information. AI has got a pretty good overview of it.

Okay, yeah, okay, thank you very that's very much, because that.

Okay, yeah, okay, thank you very that's very much, because that.

Would bug the hell out of me. Actually, yes, a couple of questions of your mates. It's like, hey, you came with us, and all of a sudden facebooks like boom boom boom bom boom boom.

Would bug the hell out of me. Actually, yes, a couple of questions of your mates. It's like, hey, you came with us, and all of a sudden facebooks like boom boom boom bom boom boom.

Booms like go away, and.

Booms like go away, and.

It really is overwhelming, especially and it's very It makes you know when you're feeling a bit vulnerable about something anyway, and then you see all these things promising to solve that problem, but then they're also selling you the solution to the problems. I don't know. It is overwhelming. It's that's a good tip to sort of curate your feeds, curate your social feeds, and it actually applies to any influencers or anyone that you see.

It really is overwhelming, especially and it's very It makes you know when you're feeling a bit vulnerable about something anyway, and then you see all these things promising to solve that problem, but then they're also selling you the solution to the problems. I don't know. It is overwhelming. It's that's a good tip to sort of curate your feeds, curate your social feeds, and it actually applies to any influencers or anyone that you see.

Actually, we've got just before you go to the next callers, I did have one thing about just does choice of doctor make a difference for getting the health the health advice you need on the stuff. A general practitioner is better equipped than them. Maybe they might have been years ago. And I don't want to jump to conclusions either, because they might be GP's listening to excuse me.

Actually, we've got just before you go to the next callers, I did have one thing about just does choice of doctor make a difference for getting the health the health advice you need on the stuff. A general practitioner is better equipped than them. Maybe they might have been years ago. And I don't want to jump to conclusions either, because they might be GP's listening to excuse me.

I think choice of doctor maybe can make a difference. A GPS, I think are getting more training and more information on this now because because women are asking more about it and wanting more help with it. You know that the demand for hormone therapy has gone up a lot in the last five years, which is partly why we've got shortages around the world. So, you know, I think doctors are definitely upskilling and gps. You know, they've got a really tough job to do anyway, just generally they've got to keep on top of so many different things. Some gps probably have more knowledge than others and have kept up more with the latest treatments than others, and you kind of don't really know until you show up.

I think choice of doctor maybe can make a difference. A GPS, I think are getting more training and more information on this now because because women are asking more about it and wanting more help with it. You know that the demand for hormone therapy has gone up a lot in the last five years, which is partly why we've got shortages around the world. So, you know, I think doctors are definitely upskilling and gps. You know, they've got a really tough job to do anyway, just generally they've got to keep on top of so many different things. Some gps probably have more knowledge than others and have kept up more with the latest treatments than others, and you kind of don't really know until you show up.

Pharmacist has just dropped us a line saying there's currently also an issue with estra gel supply.

Pharmacist has just dropped us a line saying there's currently also an issue with estra gel supply.

Oh no, really, Okay, so that's the gel which is which is also the transdermal hormone instead of that you can use instead of a patch which you rub onto your skin and.

Oh no, really, Okay, so that's the gel which is which is also the transdermal hormone instead of that you can use instead of a patch which you rub onto your skin and.

It just absorbs through the skin.

It just absorbs through the skin.

Yeah, but that's alarming to know that.

Yeah, but that's alarming to know that.

That's also hopefully, when Chris says is an issue a minor issue, hopefully.

That's also hopefully, when Chris says is an issue a minor issue, hopefully.

Maybe it's temporary, because the idea of that was that it would it would help to ease the demand for patches, and you know, ease up the shortage of patches.

Maybe it's temporary, because the idea of that was that it would it would help to ease the demand for patches, and you know, ease up the shortage of patches.

So okay, right, let's take some more questions. We'll keep it rolling. We'll try and get it through as many excourses as we can, I promise you. So it's twenty seven minutes to five.

So okay, right, let's take some more questions. We'll keep it rolling. We'll try and get it through as many excourses as we can, I promise you. So it's twenty seven minutes to five.

Mandy.

Mandy.

Hello, Oh hi, I'm Mandy.

Hello, Oh hi, I'm Mandy.

Hi.

Hi.

So I'm just pretty ignorant about menopause in general, always have been, and I'm just my The concern is, let's just say, at fifty normal periods for a year, fifty five still kind of on somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster. And what I want to know is, how do we know where we're at? Can we find that out? And when do we need to check if there's something else going on with your other than just menopause.

So I'm just pretty ignorant about menopause in general, always have been, and I'm just my The concern is, let's just say, at fifty normal periods for a year, fifty five still kind of on somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster. And what I want to know is, how do we know where we're at? Can we find that out? And when do we need to check if there's something else going on with your other than just menopause.

Well, I think there's a few parts of that question. You need to kind of just keep in touch with your own body to know where you're at. If you haven't had a period in five years, is that what you said? Yeah, yeah, then you definitely that's in you're fifty five, that you definitely post menopausal. That's pretty that seems pretty clear. Your cycles, yeah, your cycles will tell you all your lack of cycles will tell you. And so you know that would you'd seem to be postmenopausal then I always like to say when I show people the list of long symptoms you know, or signs, we shouldn't saymptoms, not an illness, but the things that happen to us in perimenopause and menopause, all the different things and all the different systems of the body, including mood stuff that you're talking about. You know, not everything is menopause. A lot of things are a lot of things can have a hormonal component, but not everything is totally about menopause. So it's really important to make sure that you do get checked out to eliminate other causes for some of these things. You know, like there's a lot of components that go into some of these symptoms, and also think about how you are in your life, like fifty five. In our forties and fifties, we have got so much going on in our lives. We are, we're working, we're probably at the peak of our career. We're very likely often got kids at home still, We've got parents who are older who need support. We've got all kinds of things going on. We've got relationships, family, community, obligations here there and everywhere, and it's a really dense time of life, and it can be really stressful. So all of that can also feed into whatever else is going on with you health wise. So I think it can often be a case of eliminating other causes for things before you get down to hormones.

Well, I think there's a few parts of that question. You need to kind of just keep in touch with your own body to know where you're at. If you haven't had a period in five years, is that what you said? Yeah, yeah, then you definitely that's in you're fifty five, that you definitely post menopausal. That's pretty that seems pretty clear. Your cycles, yeah, your cycles will tell you all your lack of cycles will tell you. And so you know that would you'd seem to be postmenopausal then I always like to say when I show people the list of long symptoms you know, or signs, we shouldn't saymptoms, not an illness, but the things that happen to us in perimenopause and menopause, all the different things and all the different systems of the body, including mood stuff that you're talking about. You know, not everything is menopause. A lot of things are a lot of things can have a hormonal component, but not everything is totally about menopause. So it's really important to make sure that you do get checked out to eliminate other causes for some of these things. You know, like there's a lot of components that go into some of these symptoms, and also think about how you are in your life, like fifty five. In our forties and fifties, we have got so much going on in our lives. We are, we're working, we're probably at the peak of our career. We're very likely often got kids at home still, We've got parents who are older who need support. We've got all kinds of things going on. We've got relationships, family, community, obligations here there and everywhere, and it's a really dense time of life, and it can be really stressful. So all of that can also feed into whatever else is going on with you health wise. So I think it can often be a case of eliminating other causes for things before you get down to hormones.

So adoptors, right, they can do hormone tests some things for you.

So adoptors, right, they can do hormone tests some things for you.

It probably wouldn't be of any use to have a hormone test, and that applies for women who are wondering whether they're imperimenopause as well. Testing your hormones is only giving you a snapshot of a moment in time at your stage. I mean it might be useful just to check, and they'd want to be checking other hormones as well, your thyroid hormones and your insulin, all the kind of other things that might be happening in your in your body, not just to reproductive hormones because they're probably stable.

It probably wouldn't be of any use to have a hormone test, and that applies for women who are wondering whether they're imperimenopause as well. Testing your hormones is only giving you a snapshot of a moment in time at your stage. I mean it might be useful just to check, and they'd want to be checking other hormones as well, your thyroid hormones and your insulin, all the kind of other things that might be happening in your in your body, not just to reproductive hormones because they're probably stable.

Think, Hey, thanks Wendy, Thanks Mandy, Sorry, thank you for call. I mean, here's an example that some people still can't talk about it, says why the heck would you want to be talking about menopause on national radio? Tim It's very personal thing, says Pam. But well, yeah, you know, I understand that. Well, actually that's a perfect example. It's personal. You can talk about it if you want or not.

Think, Hey, thanks Wendy, Thanks Mandy, Sorry, thank you for call. I mean, here's an example that some people still can't talk about it, says why the heck would you want to be talking about menopause on national radio? Tim It's very personal thing, says Pam. But well, yeah, you know, I understand that. Well, actually that's a perfect example. It's personal. You can talk about it if you want or not.

Yeah, I understand that, and some people are not comfortable talking about it, and we do have to respect that as well. But I don't think that it has helped women in general not to have talked about this for generations, to just brush it under the carpet and not mention why we might be really struggling. That's not helpful. That's like not talking about mental health issues.

Yeah, I understand that, and some people are not comfortable talking about it, and we do have to respect that as well. But I don't think that it has helped women in general not to have talked about this for generations, to just brush it under the carpet and not mention why we might be really struggling. That's not helpful. That's like not talking about mental health issues.

Yeah, I just read that out, because actually the point is people calling if they're comfortable talking about it, even though it's personal personal, And.

Yeah, I just read that out, because actually the point is people calling if they're comfortable talking about it, even though it's personal personal, And.

So I understand that, and generations past have not been comfortable talking about it at all because of lots of reasons. Really, you know, we've been conditioned not to talk about anything like that.

So I understand that, and generations past have not been comfortable talking about it at all because of lots of reasons. Really, you know, we've been conditioned not to talk about anything like that.

Right, let's take some more calls.

Right, let's take some more calls.

Kate.

Kate.

Hello, Well, hi, I did about twenty five years ago, and it came on and it was dreadful. I was running my own business and it barely work, you know, feeling frightful and taking one pill after another and they all other than seem to help. And I read somewhere that exercise can help. So I took it up and it was just absolutely amazing about just twenty minutes and you know, sort of walk stuff and simons all went and I felt miles better than I've felt for years and ears and years, and just kept it up ever since.

Hello, Well, hi, I did about twenty five years ago, and it came on and it was dreadful. I was running my own business and it barely work, you know, feeling frightful and taking one pill after another and they all other than seem to help. And I read somewhere that exercise can help. So I took it up and it was just absolutely amazing about just twenty minutes and you know, sort of walk stuff and simons all went and I felt miles better than I've felt for years and ears and years, and just kept it up ever since.

I love that cage. That's awesome.

I love that cage. That's awesome.

I love that.

I love that.

I'm sorry that you had such such a bad time, but you're right about exercise.

I'm sorry that you had such such a bad time, but you're right about exercise.

But not for long. But the other thing was that I haven't really been having problems with depression for ages and was taking pills and things. So I dragged him out with me and behold me though, within a ruddy week his depression was gone and never came back.

But not for long. But the other thing was that I haven't really been having problems with depression for ages and was taking pills and things. So I dragged him out with me and behold me though, within a ruddy week his depression was gone and never came back.

Gosh, Well, there's a ton of research, there's a ton of evidence around the benefits of exercise. And it's what I always say actually when I exercise, which I do put a lot of focus on because I know how good it is for me for my future health and for my current health. But the main reason, the main benefit I get from it right now is for my mood. It makes me feel better every single time. And I think that's for everyone that applies, whatever age or gender we are.

Gosh, Well, there's a ton of research, there's a ton of evidence around the benefits of exercise. And it's what I always say actually when I exercise, which I do put a lot of focus on because I know how good it is for me for my future health and for my current health. But the main reason, the main benefit I get from it right now is for my mood. It makes me feel better every single time. And I think that's for everyone that applies, whatever age or gender we are.

Actually I mean that, yeah, thanks, Hey, thanks very much, Kate, appreciate your call.

Actually I mean that, yeah, thanks, Hey, thanks very much, Kate, appreciate your call.

Bye bye.

Bye bye.

Actually, I mean that is a lessest example, I think, just not a lesser example, it's the wrong expression, but just for any age and especially as you get older, regardless of that's one thing that ties them for men as well. It's like, oh, feeling if you're not exercising and you start exercising, well, guess what you probably once you get over that early hump of just you know, the challenge of it, it's huge difference.

Actually, I mean that is a lessest example, I think, just not a lesser example, it's the wrong expression, but just for any age and especially as you get older, regardless of that's one thing that ties them for men as well. It's like, oh, feeling if you're not exercising and you start exercising, well, guess what you probably once you get over that early hump of just you know, the challenge of it, it's huge difference.

So you're going to feel better. Yeah, and it's just so so valuable for your future health as we get older, all of us, as we age, you know, having a strong and fit body is just so so beneficial.

So you're going to feel better. Yeah, and it's just so so valuable for your future health as we get older, all of us, as we age, you know, having a strong and fit body is just so so beneficial.

Right, We're going to take a quick moment back in just the technicky buzanders with me. She is co host of the hot Mess Tour and we're talking menopause. Anyone can give us a call on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Your Experiences or Picnicky's Brains for a bit of advice on what to do with the challenges that you feel and might be facing. Twenty one minutes to five News talks'd b Yes, Welcome back with Nicki Bizant, co host of the hot Mess Tour. You can go and google that if you're interested in the remaining seats for Rota or Quen's down where we're talking. We are talking now menopause and taking your calls Alan, Hello, Hey m.

Right, We're going to take a quick moment back in just the technicky buzanders with me. She is co host of the hot Mess Tour and we're talking menopause. Anyone can give us a call on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Your Experiences or Picnicky's Brains for a bit of advice on what to do with the challenges that you feel and might be facing. Twenty one minutes to five News talks'd b Yes, Welcome back with Nicki Bizant, co host of the hot Mess Tour. You can go and google that if you're interested in the remaining seats for Rota or Quen's down where we're talking. We are talking now menopause and taking your calls Alan, Hello, Hey m.

I, Nikki, Hey, hey No. I did a lot of traveling to the UK and it's been a big topic over the last four or five years. And finally enough I said to my wife a couple of years back, I said, should I be asking you about menopause and how you're doing? And she said yep. She looked at a surprise actually, and then she said, yep, no, No, I'm okay. So you know it's something I think all guys, you know, should be aware of. I guess the other thing for me is I'm in an industry where I employ a lot of female staff. I think the awareness is important for bosses in terms of being able to cut their stuff from you know, a bit of a break when they're not doing well. You know, indometriosis has been a big thing, and I think, you know, as the aging population happens, we're going to be much more exposed or much more I shouldn't say exposed, I guess you know, it's going to be more significant menopause. So I think you're doing a great job. I think education is important.

I, Nikki, Hey, hey No. I did a lot of traveling to the UK and it's been a big topic over the last four or five years. And finally enough I said to my wife a couple of years back, I said, should I be asking you about menopause and how you're doing? And she said yep. She looked at a surprise actually, and then she said, yep, no, No, I'm okay. So you know it's something I think all guys, you know, should be aware of. I guess the other thing for me is I'm in an industry where I employ a lot of female staff. I think the awareness is important for bosses in terms of being able to cut their stuff from you know, a bit of a break when they're not doing well. You know, indometriosis has been a big thing, and I think, you know, as the aging population happens, we're going to be much more exposed or much more I shouldn't say exposed, I guess you know, it's going to be more significant menopause. So I think you're doing a great job. I think education is important.

God, thanks Ellen. Yeah, I agree. I mean it's it's a very common thing when I go into workplaces.

God, thanks Ellen. Yeah, I agree. I mean it's it's a very common thing when I go into workplaces.

Well, that was the question.

Well, that was the question.

How does a boss, especially male boss, put in place some sort of mechanism for you can I don't know, for how do you handle that whole menopause thing. Well, hey, by the way, if anyone's got menopause and feeling, but I mean, you can't I can't.

How does a boss, especially male boss, put in place some sort of mechanism for you can I don't know, for how do you handle that whole menopause thing. Well, hey, by the way, if anyone's got menopause and feeling, but I mean, you can't I can't.

Imagine that being a winning way to go about it.

Imagine that being a winning way to go about it.

Well, there's all kinds of levels of things that are happening in workplaces, right, so it can it can be as simple as having someone like me come in and do a talk for a start, like as in a wellness setting or as a webinar, whatever I do all that, if anyone's out there wants to bring me in, I'd love to. And I have spoken in every kind of workplace that you can imagine, from the high viz best type environments where it's mostly men through to you know, law firms and accountant firms and all the rest of it, and all kinds of businesses in between where there's lots of women and often there that their bosses are male. But those men and women in the senior roles understand that actually it's about supporting women. And if you don't, if you don't look after women and actually support them through that transition, because it is just a transition, then you're not going to get women in leadership, you know, coming through or staying in those leadership roles. So what Allen says is right, It is just about understanding. So, like the really onto it web, workplaces have got menopause policies in place, just like they have a policy for you know, every other kind of health challenge. But it doesn't have to be that formal. It can be really simple, like having menopause champions in the workplace, that you feel like that here's a group of people that you know that you can go to and talk about all this stuff.

Well, there's all kinds of levels of things that are happening in workplaces, right, so it can it can be as simple as having someone like me come in and do a talk for a start, like as in a wellness setting or as a webinar, whatever I do all that, if anyone's out there wants to bring me in, I'd love to. And I have spoken in every kind of workplace that you can imagine, from the high viz best type environments where it's mostly men through to you know, law firms and accountant firms and all the rest of it, and all kinds of businesses in between where there's lots of women and often there that their bosses are male. But those men and women in the senior roles understand that actually it's about supporting women. And if you don't, if you don't look after women and actually support them through that transition, because it is just a transition, then you're not going to get women in leadership, you know, coming through or staying in those leadership roles. So what Allen says is right, It is just about understanding. So, like the really onto it web, workplaces have got menopause policies in place, just like they have a policy for you know, every other kind of health challenge. But it doesn't have to be that formal. It can be really simple, like having menopause champions in the workplace, that you feel like that here's a group of people that you know that you can go to and talk about all this stuff.

Thanks Allan, Thanks for you cole mate. Really appreciate it. Bye bye.

Thanks Allan, Thanks for you cole mate. Really appreciate it. Bye bye.

I thought, all actually that is the way for men to I thought the way he put that, he said to his wife, should I be asking you sometime about menopause?

I thought, all actually that is the way for men to I thought the way he put that, he said to his wife, should I be asking you sometime about menopause?

It's a nice way of putting it.

It's a nice way of putting it.

Isn't that that's it's just the should I yeah? In other words, and might be no, you shouldn't, or you have raised it.

Isn't that that's it's just the should I yeah? In other words, and might be no, you shouldn't, or you have raised it.

I would add to that that it's not just one conversation either. It's lots of little conversations, micro conversations from time to time, just checking in with each other.

I would add to that that it's not just one conversation either. It's lots of little conversations, micro conversations from time to time, just checking in with each other.

Clue for me.

Clue for me.

And if you've had an argument, that is not the time to say.

And if you've had an argument, that is not the time to say.

Blah blah blah.

Blah blah blah.

Most definitely.

Most definitely.

Okay, we're going to have to sprint through the callers, so we're trying up the pace of it because we've got lots of people wanting to talk to Nikki Ali.

Okay, we're going to have to sprint through the callers, so we're trying up the pace of it because we've got lots of people wanting to talk to Nikki Ali.

Hello, Hello, I'll make sure if well now seventy seven year old. But I experienced very awful periods as a child, awful periods at men pour very heavy and I became suicidal. And it was only before my period was due. I could have been driving down the motorway and I think I could handle this, and just driving to that truck. I knew I should go to the hospital, but I knew if I had to walk over the bridge and might want to jump. And I managed to get through it. It was a terrible time.

Hello, Hello, I'll make sure if well now seventy seven year old. But I experienced very awful periods as a child, awful periods at men pour very heavy and I became suicidal. And it was only before my period was due. I could have been driving down the motorway and I think I could handle this, and just driving to that truck. I knew I should go to the hospital, but I knew if I had to walk over the bridge and might want to jump. And I managed to get through it. It was a terrible time.

What got you through got you through it all?

What got you through got you through it all?

I started talking to people. I kept it secret, and my husband was really worried because I don't think he really was supportive. To be honest, I don't think he he thought that I was wanting attention or something. But was definitely before I had my periods and they were very, very heavy and very painful. I started taking some tablets hormonal tept but in the end I lost my husband suddenly at sixty five. Two years after that, I started getting very for in my side and the doctor gave me some medication. A year later, I was still going and he took He said I'll better have some tests and they found that I had huge end of metriosis and I was seventy by that stage.

I started talking to people. I kept it secret, and my husband was really worried because I don't think he really was supportive. To be honest, I don't think he he thought that I was wanting attention or something. But was definitely before I had my periods and they were very, very heavy and very painful. I started taking some tablets hormonal tept but in the end I lost my husband suddenly at sixty five. Two years after that, I started getting very for in my side and the doctor gave me some medication. A year later, I was still going and he took He said I'll better have some tests and they found that I had huge end of metriosis and I was seventy by that stage.

Gosh, that's a hell of a story, Eli, I'm sorry. Sorry. By the way, look as we.

Gosh, that's a hell of a story, Eli, I'm sorry. Sorry. By the way, look as we.

Do when people talk about any questions around, I'm wanting to hurt themselves. If you do need if you're someone who's going through really tough time and you do need to talk to someone, please that there's a fantastic service which is one seven three seven. You can call or text it if you ever have thoughts that are you know where you're thinking of harming yourself, So please do that. If anything that we're talking about does trigger those sorts of thoughts, please go to one seven three seven. Let's take another call. Thank you for your call, Ali, I really appreciate it. Wendy, Hello, Hello, Wendy, tell you what that's a sign. We'll take the break. We've got time for maybe squeezing in a call or two more. I've got a truckload of text we can also dig into with with Nicki Bezant, who's with us the Hot Mess tour. You can go and check out if there's still some tickets for Rota and Queenstand. But more importantly, Nicki wrote has written a couple of books and one of them is called This Changes Everything. That was the first book about menopause and subsequently she has followed it up with a guide, which I imagine would the guide if you're going to buy one book, which one would you buy first? I know this is asking like someone, which is.