The Laura Dowling Experience

Send us a textRereleasing this podcast as it was so popular and really demystified genital health!Dr. Aisling Loy, consultant in genitourinary medicine, debunks common misconceptions about sexual health and provides practical advice on addressing genital concerns with compassion and expertise.In this episode, we explore some of the most common myths and overlooked truths in vaginal and sexual health. From the misdiagnosis of chronic candida to the effects of grooming habits on vulval skin, we discuss how everyday routines can impact intimate wellbeing. We cover the sharp rise in STI rates among young women, the importance of HPV vaccination for both boys and girls, and why regular testing is essential, even when there are no symptoms. We also look at conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and herpes, and how changes in condom use are influencing infection rates, all through the lens of the vaginal microbiome.Book your STI screening at guideclinic.ie or sticlinicdublin.ie. Home testing kits are available through SH24.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textNiamh Tallon, founder of Her Sport, is on a mission to change how we see women in sport through media coverage, education, and challenging the gender gap that exists across all levels of sport.• One in five girls drop out of sport between primary and secondary school compared to one in twenty boys• 94% of women in executive managerial positions have a background in sport, showing the professional benefits of athletic participation• Body image concerns, period stigma, and lack of appropriate facilities are major barriers for female athletes• Female athletes face disproportionate focus on their appearance rather than their performance in media coverage• Her Sport has featured over 900 different female athletes, creating visibility and representation across all sports• Women's teams at all levels frequently receive less resources, poorer facilities, and fewer opportunities than male counterparts• The Her Sport Foundation provides workshops, grants, and advocacy to support female athletes from grassroots to high performanceOur vision is equal opportunity in sport, regardless of gender. Support female athletes by following Her Sport, joining our MVP platform, or getting in touch at hello@hersport.ie.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textVicki Notaro shares her journey from leading magazine editor to successful novelist with two published books and a third on the way. She discusses how she always knew she wanted to be childless by choice and normalizing this decision for women.• Moving from journalism to fiction writing after experiencing burnout in the publishing industry• Finding medication helpful for managing anxiety and prioritizing mental health• Being offered a publishing deal from Penguin at the perfect moment after leaving her job• Drawing inspiration from growing up as an only child and her fascination with friendship dynamics• Creating characters in her novels who reflect aspects of her personality and experiences• Exploring the theme of being childless by choice in her debut novel "Reality Check"• Finding inspiration from authors like Marion Keys, Judy Blume, and Jackie Collins• How her second novel "Long Story" explores the complexities of long-term friendships• Valuing real connection over constant social media engagementIf you like this podcast and I know so many of you do, you could really help me out by giving it a nice rating, sharing it with your friends and subscribing to the podcast.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textOphthalmic surgeon Dr. Micheál O'Rourke takes us through the fascinating world of eye health, sharing insights from cataracts and macular degeneration to aesthetic procedures and vision preservation.• Eyes constantly move and blink even during sleep, requiring high energy and thin skin for optimal function• Cataracts are an inevitable part of aging, involving protein misalignment in the lens requiring surgical removal and prosthetic lens replacement• Macular degeneration comes in dry (less treatable) and wet (treatable with injections) forms that affect central vision but preserve peripheral sight• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is becoming popular at younger ages, removing excess skin around the eyes for a refreshed appearance• Women experience a dramatic drop in tear production during menopause, making HRT one of the most effective treatments for menopausal dry eye• Increased screen time reduces our blink rate and contributes to vision problems including the evolutionary shift toward myopia in children• Thyroid eye disease primarily affects young women, causing protruding eyes and altered appearance that can be addressed with surgery• Eye floaters result from changes in the eye's jelly-like vitreous humor and should be evaluated if they suddenly increase or appear with flashing lights• The eye cannot be temporarily removed during surgery as once believed, as nerve tissue damage is permanentFor more eye health insights, follow proper eye protection practices, get regular check-ups, and be aware of symptoms that might indicate serious conditions.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textSinéad Hingston-Green shares her heartbreaking journey of losing her husband Jeff while 19 weeks pregnant and how she rebuilt her life through grief, motherhood, and eventually finding love again. Her powerful story illustrates how we can honor those we've lost while still embracing new beginnings and finding purpose in our pain.• Sinead's husband Jeff died suddenly during a boat trip in Portugal when she was 19 weeks pregnant• The traumatic experience of witnessing his medical emergency and the aftermath of being kept away from him• Challenges of bringing Jeff's body home to Ireland and navigating funeral arrangements while pregnant• Birth complications resulting in severe physical trauma alongside the emotional trauma of grief• Finding love again with Michael ("Green") two years after Jeff's death• Balancing honoring Jeff's memory while building a new life and blended family• Multiple pregnancy losses before having their third child, which led to creating the "Spark a Life" initiative• The importance of finding the right grief counsellor and support system• How Ireland's culture handles funerals well but struggles with long-term grief support• Advice on trusting that your power is in your reaction to life's challengesJoin Sinead on the Camino walk this September with Good Grief, her initiative to help others through grief by creating community and understanding.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textJames Green's honest conversation reveals how movement and authenticity can transform both physical and mental wellbeing. His personal journey through chronic illness, grief, and sexuality creates a powerful narrative about finding strength in vulnerability.• Athletic therapy specializes in musculoskeletal care, focusing on injury assessment and rehabilitation• Most effective rehabilitation comes from education and rebuilding strength rather than passive treatments• Progressive overload through increased weight, reps, or time under tension is key for continued strength gains• Exercise significantly benefits chronic illness management beyond physical improvements• Living with ulcerative colitis taught James how to navigate triggers while maintaining quality of life• Losing his sister at age 27 forced a reevaluation of priorities and authentic living• Coming out as gay after years of hiding brought tremendous relief and freedom• Sports and fitness environments can perpetuate homophobic attitudes through casual language and locker room culture• Teaching cadaveric anatomy provided unique perspective on mortality and human individuality• Life's meaning ultimately comes down to loving and being loved by those closest to usThanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a text"What if your darkest moment became the catalyst for your greatest transformation?"This question lies at the heart of my profound conversation with Niall Harbison, whose remarkable journey from corporate success to rock-bottom alcoholism to purposeful revival might just change your perspective on what truly matters in life.Niall's story begins as a private chef for billionaires aboard luxury yachts, where million-dollar fuel bills and private jets delivering Italian cheese were commonplace. He witnessed firsthand the hollow nature of extreme wealth before returning to Dublin to build his own successful businesses. Yet beneath this veneer of achievement lurked depression, anxiety, and a growing dependence on alcohol.When COVID struck, Niall's life spiraled into a six-week bender in Thailand that nearly killed him. Lying in a hospital bed, certain he was dying, he experienced a revelation that would transform everything: the corporate success, social media followers, and material possessions he'd chased meant absolutely nothing. What flashed through his mind instead were simple moments of childhood joy and connection.That rock-bottom moment became what Niall now calls "the best thing in my life." Upon recovery, he discovered purpose in rescuing Thailand's street dogs. What began as feeding a few hungry canines has expanded into a charity that feeds 1,200 dogs daily, performs thousands of sterilizations monthly, and has built a hospital named after Tina, a special rescue who lived just six months in freedom after a lifetime of abuse.Niall's transformation at age 41 stands as powerful testament that it's never too late to reinvent yourself. His advice resonates with brutal honesty: "Follow your own path. Take risks. You don't have to do the life that's mapped out for you."Whether you're questioning your purpose or just need a reminder of what truly matters, this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear. Subscribe now and join the thousands finding inspiration in these authentic human stories of transformation.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textFrom Being Dismissed by Doctors to Revolutionising Menopause Care in Ireland – Loretta Dingham’s Journey Is One Every Woman Needs to HearWhen Loretta experienced her first hot flushes after her periods stopped at age 49, she thought she must be the youngest woman in Ireland to go through the menopause. Little did she know that the constellation of symptoms she had battled throughout her 40s – headaches that led to brain scans, recurrent urinary tract infections, dry eyes that landed her in A&E three times, weight gain, and skin breakouts – were all connected to perimenopause, a term she had never even heard before.After years of medical gaslighting and being told she was simply “having a bad run of things,” Loretta decided to take matters into her own hands. Her frustration turned into determination after meeting a successful professional woman who had been suffering with menopausal symptoms for over a decade without knowing where to turn.Within months, Loretta founded The Menopause Hub – Ireland’s first dedicated menopause clinic – long before celebrity campaigns and public discourse made menopause a mainstream topic. What began as a personal mission has become a nationwide movement.Today, The Menopause Hub provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care through clinics in Dublin and Cork, with virtual consultations available across the country. But Loretta’s vision goes well beyond clinical care. Through The Menopause Hub Academy, she is transforming workplaces to better support women going through the menopause, aiming to halt the alarming exodus of experienced female talent from the workforce.Her pioneering efforts have not gone unnoticed. Loretta was recently recognised by Forbes as one of their Top 50 Over 50, honouring her groundbreaking work and continued advocacy.In this eye-opening conversation, Loretta discusses the barriers women still face in accessing proper menopause care, the life-changing benefits of personalised treatment, and her campaign for free women’s health checks. Her message is clear and urgent: women deserve better, and no one should suffer in silence.Whether you're navigating menopause yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode is filled with invaluable insights into reclaiming your vitality and advocating for your health. Subscribe now and share this conversation with every woman in your life.Thanks for Listening!You can watch the full episode on YouTube [here].Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review – it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textDr. Clodagh Campbell, known as The Wellness Psychologist, shares her personal journey with anxiety as an adopted child and reveals how understanding yourself through psychology can transform both how you feel and how you live your life. <br><br>• How adoption and early separation created lifelong patterns of anxiety and abandonment fears<br>• The breaking point that led Clodagh to reevaluate her priorities and slow down<br>• Why anxiety often stems from trying to prove our worth through endless achievement<br>• How pregnancy-related illness forced a complete pause that ultimately brought clarity<br>• The importance of identifying what can "give" in your life when everything feels overwhelming<br>• Using the "four Ds" approach to manage overwhelm: do, delete, delegate, delay<br>• The difference between managing anxiety symptoms and healing underlying trauma<br>• Why boundaries are essential, particularly for those caring for others<br>• How becoming a mother changed Clodagh's relationship with her self-worth<br>• The unique challenges of being a highly sensitive person<br><br>If you're struggling with anxiety, self-worth, or feeling overwhelmed, pick up Dr. Campbell's book "The Steps" - available in all good bookstores and online now.<br><br>Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textIn this episode, I’m joined by Abigail Godfrey — Netflix star of Selling the City and a high-profile real estate agent in Manhattan—for a raw and honest conversation about living with chronic pain, managing mental health, and the resilience it takes to thrive behind the scenes of success.Abi shares her experience of being born with congenital torticollis, as well as her journey with genetic scoliosis — a condition that runs through generations of women in her family. At just 12 years old, she underwent major spinal fusion surgery, leaving her with metal rods, screws, and an S-shaped curve in her spine that causes ongoing daily pain. We talk about how she’s balanced that invisible struggle with the pressures of reality TV, depression, anxiety, and her recent experience coming off SSRIs after ten years.We also explore the deeper meaning she’s found through advocacy — supporting mental health initiatives and co-founding the Elite V Football Showcase with her husband to help underserved young athletes access college opportunities. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and finding purpose through pain!This episode is brought to you by fabÜ SKIN-HAIR-NAILS GLOW, the supplement I created for strong, healthy, and radiant beauty from within. If you’re dealing with hair thinning, dull skin, fine lines, or weak nails, this is for you. Packed with 12 powerhouse ingredients, this blend is designed to support fuller, thicker hair, glowing skin, and strong nails. At the heart of the formula is Reishi mushroom, bursting with antioxidants and beta glucans, alongside five amino acids to build collagen, plus vitamins C, A, E, zinc, and niacinamide for all-round nourishment.The results speak for themselves—women post-pregnancy and going through peri and menopause have seen incredible transformations, from stronger nails in weeks to revived hair growth in months. But consistency is key—take two capsules daily, give your body time, and watch the transformation unfold. Available on fabuwellness.com and in pharmacies and health stores nationwide.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.