Summary

Catherine O'Keeffe, Founder of Wellness Warrior, creator of Menopause Success Summit, and a Menopause Workplace Consultant discusses the importance of understanding perimenopause and menopause, as well as the challenges faced by women in different life stages. She emphasises the need for accurate information and health literacy, particularly in the age of social media. Catherine highlights the psychological symptoms of menopause and the importance of finding the right support from healthcare professionals and therapists. She also encourages an individualised approach to managing menopause symptoms and emphasises the role of lifestyle changes. In this conversation with Kathleen, Catherine discusses various aspects of menopause and provides practical advice for managing symptoms and maintaining overall health. She emphasises the importance of lifestyle choices, including sleep, nutrition, and exercise, in supporting heart, bone, and cognitive health during menopause. She also highlights the need for self-care and regular check-ins with oneself to address the physical and emotional changes that occur during this stage of life. She offers strategies for managing anxiety and panic attacks, including deep breathing and understanding triggers. Additionally, Catherine recommends staying informed through evidence-based resources and organisations like the Women's Health Concern and the British Menopause Society.

Takeaways

• Understanding the different stages of menopause, including perimenopause and postmenopause, is crucial for women's health.
• Access to accurate information and health literacy are essential in navigating menopause.
• Psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and low mood, are common during perimenopause and menopause.
• Finding the right healthcare professionals and therapists who understand menopause is important for receiving appropriate support.
• Taking an individualised approach to managing menopause symptoms, including lifestyle changes, can be effective.
• Being cautious of misinformation and seeking trusted sources of information is crucial in making informed decisions about menopause treatments. Prioritise lifestyle choices such as sleep, nutrition, and exercise to support heart, bone, and cognitive health during menopause.
• Regularly check in with yourself and seek support to address the physical and emotional changes that occur during menopause.
• Practice deep breathing and identify triggers to manage anxiety and panic attacks.
• Stay informed through evidence-based resources and organisations like the Women's Health Concern and the British Menopause Society.
• Catherine's book is available on Amazon and all good bookshops.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey

03:31 Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause

10:40 Menopause in Different Life Stages

16:25 Challenges of Health Literacy and Access to Information

21:36 Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause

32:48 Challenges in Seeking Support and Treatment

38:34 Finding What Works for You

41:52 Lifestyle for Menopause Health

45:15 Taking Care of Yourself

48:00 Managing Anxiety and Panic Attacks

51:20 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

55:16 Staying Informed with Evidence-Based Medicine

57:59 Resources and Support

Catherine's Website Wellness Warrior https://www.wellnesswarrior.ie/

Catherine's Wellness Warrior Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswarrior.ie/

All You Need To Know About Menopause (Book) https://amzn.eu/d/7dMuBC7

Women's Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/

British Menopause Society https://thebms.org.uk/