The Henpicked Podcast

Autism, ADHD and menopause are being talked about more than ever — but this is still a developing and often misunderstood area of women's health. In this expert-led Henpicked Lunch & Learn, Deborah Garlick is joined by menopause specialist Dr Clare Spencer to explore how neurodiversity and menopause intersect — and why symptoms can feel suddenly overwhelming during this transition. From late diagnoses to hormonal changes in the brain, this episode unpacks the emerging science, lived experiences, and practical ways to seek support. You'll hear: • What we mean by neurodiversity, including ADHD and autism • Why many women are underdiagnosed — particularly later in life • How hormonal changes during perimenopause affect the brain and neurochemicals • Why symptoms like anxiety, brain fog and overwhelm can feel intensified • The difference between lifelong neurodiverse traits and menopause symptoms • Why perimenopause (not just menopause) is often when challenges begin • The concept of "masking" — and why it can break down during menopause • How to advocate for yourself with healthcare professionals • Why finding the right support may take time and persistence • What workplaces can do to better support neurodivergent employees This is a thoughtful, evidence-informed conversation that highlights just how individual the menopause experience can be — especially when combined with neurodiversity. As discussed in the session, this is an evolving area with growing research, but one thing is clear: awareness, understanding and support are essential. About Dr Clare Spencer This episode features Dr Clare Spencer, GP and menopause specialist at My Menopause Centre. Dr Spencer has extensive experience supporting women through perimenopause and menopause and is part of the clinical team at: 🌐 My Menopause Centre https://www.mymenopausecentre.com/our-team/dr-clare-spencer/ 📱 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mymenopausecentre/ My Menopause Centre is CQC-rated Outstanding and provides specialist, evidence-based menopause care. About Henpicked Henpicked has been supporting women and working with organisations to create more inclusive, informed workplaces for over 13 years. Through expert-led Lunch & Learn sessions, accreditation programmes and trusted resources, Henpicked continues to drive menopause and women's health awareness in workplaces and beyond. To join future free Lunch & Learn sessions, visit: https://henpicked.net

In this episode of the Henpicked Lunch & Learn podcast, host Sally Leech is joined by menstrual health educator and speaker Talycia Nayee to explore why periods are still surrounded by silence in many workplaces. Despite periods being a normal and natural part of life for millions of people, conversations about menstrual health often remain uncomfortable or avoided altogether in professional environments. This silence can make it harder for employees to seek support and for organisations to create inclusive workplace cultures. In this discussion, Talycia shares insights into why the stigma around periods still exists, the barriers that prevent open conversations at work, and why greater awareness and education around menstrual health matters for both employees and employers. The conversation also explores how workplaces can play an important role in supporting women's health by helping to normalise conversations around periods and ensuring employees feel able to speak openly about their health and wellbeing. This episode is part of the Henpicked Lunch & Learn series, helping organisations build knowledge and confidence around women's health in the workplace. Chapter Markers (These work well on Spotify, YouTube, Libsyn and Apple Podcasts) 00:00 Introduction to the episode 01:00 Why periods are still surrounded by silence 02:40 The stigma and discomfort around talking about periods 04:10 How menstrual symptoms can affect daily life and work 06:10 Why workplaces should understand menstrual health 07:20 The wider conversation around women's health at work 09:30 The role education plays in breaking the silence 12:00 Creating more open and supportive workplace cultures 14:30 Key takeaways for organisations

Dr Clare Spencer, GP and menopause specialist at My Menopause Centre, offers calm, evidence-based guidance on HRT. She explains how HRT works, why progesterone may be needed, and the pros and cons of patches, gels, tablets and coils. Practical topics include managing bleeding, clot and cancer risk in context, tailoring treatment after cancer or complex histories, and when to seek specialist referral.

In this Henpicked Lunch & Learn session, we explore how ethnicity shapes experiences of menstruation, menopause and access to healthcare — and why understanding these differences is essential for equity, wellbeing and support at work and in life. Sally Leach from Henpicked is joined by Dr Radhika Vohra, NHS and private GP, menopause specialist, and trustee and medical adviser at The Menopause Charity. Together, they unpack what the research tells us — and what it doesn't yet — about how menopause and menstrual health symptoms vary across ethnic groups, and how socioeconomic factors, culture, language and healthcare access intersect with biology. This conversation covers: How menstrual cycles and menopause symptoms can differ by ethnicity Why women from some ethnic backgrounds experience higher rates of fibroids, heavy bleeding and anemia Differences in menopause symptoms such as weight gain, joint pain, vasomotor symptoms and metabolic risk The role of socioeconomic status alongside ethnicity Cultural taboos, language barriers and why many women don't seek help Inequalities in access to HRT and specialist care Why education, representation and culturally inclusive resources matter Practical ways to advocate for yourself and support others This session highlights a crucial truth: menopause and menstrual health are not one-size-fits-all, and meaningful support requires awareness, inclusion and better conversations — in healthcare, communities and workplaces. 👉 You can also read Henpicked's accompanying article here: How Ethnicity Impacts Menopause and Menstrual Health www.henpicked.net/menopause-hub/how-ethnicity-impacts-menopause-and-menstrual-health/ ⏱️ Episode Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation matters Introducing the session and why ethnicity must be part of menopause and menstrual health discussions 01:45 – How ethnicity affects menstruation Differences in cycle onset, pain, heaviness and complications such as fibroids 03:40 – Performance, pain and expectations How menstruation impacts sport, work and daily life — and why this has been overlooked 04:40 – What research tells us about menopause & ethnicity Key findings from large-scale studies and the role of socioeconomic status 05:55 – Symptom differences across ethnic groups Weight gain, metabolic risk, vasomotor symptoms and joint pain 06:55 – Inequality in access to care Why women from ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic backgrounds are less likely to receive HRT 07:45 – Overcoming barriers to support Education, representation, language and culturally inclusive information 08:50 – The 'sandwich generation' & self-care gap Why women struggle to prioritise their own health 10:00 – What is 'normal' — and why we need a new frame of reference Challenging the idea that pain and disruption should be tolerated 11:40 – Menstrual change across the life course Adolescence, contraception, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause 12:50 – Using contraception to support menstrual health Beyond pregnancy prevention: reducing bleeding and improving quality of life 13:20 – Ethnicity and menstrual health conditions Fibroids, PMDD, endometriosis and fertility impacts 15:45 – Why early identification matters Preventing years of untreated pain and delayed diagnosis 16:30 – Cultural taboos & silence Why many women don't talk about symptoms — even when asked 18:10 – Diet, lifestyle and symptom variation How nutrition, alcohol and cultural eating patterns influence symptoms 19:30 – The importance of symptom tracking Empowerment through awareness and personalised care 20:15 – Where to find trusted information Research, charities, community voices and accessible resources 23:10 – Language, culture and reframing menopause Why some languages don't even have a word for menopause — and how to change that 25:10 – Supporting younger generations Education, advocacy and breaking intergenerational silence 26:20 – Menopause, ethnicity and weight gain Metabolic risk, stress, cortisol and movement 29:20 – Practical lifestyle strategies Exercise, stress reduction and culturally sensitive nutrition advice 30:35 – Community action & inclusion Why bite-size, community-led education works 32:00 – Closing reflections & next steps Follow Henpicked: Website: https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henpickednet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henpicked Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henpickedcommunity/ If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it — awareness changes lives.

Living With Adenomyosis is a Henpicked Lunch & Learn session focused on understanding a common but often misunderstood menstrual health condition that affects millions of women — yet frequently goes undiagnosed for years. In this episode, Deborah Garlick, Founder of Henpicked, is joined by Henpicked's menstrual health expert Sally Leach to explore what adenomyosis is, how it differs from endometriosis, and why so many women are told their symptoms are "normal" — when they're anything but. Adenomyosis can cause severe period pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and pelvic pain, with a profound impact on quality of life, mental health, relationships, and work. Despite affecting an estimated 1 in 10 women, awareness remains low — even among those living with it. This conversation covers: What adenomyosis actually is and how it affects the uterus Common symptoms — and why they're so often normalised The emotional and practical toll of living with chronic pain Why diagnosis can take years, and how to advocate for yourself The range of treatment options, from hormonal support to surgery Practical, lived-experience tips for managing symptoms day to day Why education and workplace understanding matter so much This session is part of Henpicked's commitment to opening up honest conversations about menstrual health, helping women feel informed, believed, and supported — at work and in life. 👉 You can also read Henpicked's in-depth article on adenomyosis here: Understanding Adenomyosis – https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub/understanding-adenomyosis/ 00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation matters Why adenomyosis is painful, exhausting, confusing — and still widely misunderstood 02:20 – What is adenomyosis? How it affects the uterus and how it differs from endometriosis 05:50 – How common is adenomyosis really? UK and global prevalence — and why awareness is still so low 06:20 – Symptoms explained Heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, fatigue, brain fog, bloating and pain during sex 09:30 – What counts as "heavy" bleeding? Clear signs your period may not be normal 10:45 – "This is just part of being a woman" Why symptoms are normalised — and the harm that causes 12:30 – The emotional impact of living with chronic pain Mental health, relationships, isolation and unpredictability 13:50 – Why diagnosis takes so long Dismissal, delayed referrals and being told you're "unlucky" 17:40 – Getting specialist support When and why to ask for a gynaecology referral 18:10 – Treatment options explained Hormonal treatments, pain management and surgical options 21:00 – Medically induced menopause (GnRH analogues) What they are, how they work, and key considerations 23:10 – Living with adenomyosis day to day Pain management tools, emotional support and community 25:00 – Lifestyle & self-management tips Diet, movement, stress, rest and tracking symptoms 26:50 – Advocating for yourself at medical appointments Four key questions to ask when discussing treatment 29:10 – Raising awareness & breaking the silence Why talking about adenomyosis matters — at home and at work 30:00 – Closing thoughts & next Henpicked Lunch & Learn Follow Henpicked: Website: https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henpickednet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henpicked Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henpickedcommunity/ If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it — awareness changes lives.

Dr. Mary Ann Lumsden, an expert in menopause and gynaecology, delves into the intricate connection between mindset and menopause. She shares insights on how societal stigma shapes experiences and stresses the importance of community support. Listeners learn practical strategies for managing symptoms, the value of personalized hormone replacement therapy, and the significance of open dialogue to dispel myths. With a focus on women's health, she empowers listeners to embrace this natural life stage with confidence.

Does taking the Pill affect your mental health? How do hormones change your brain through the menstrual cycle? How can you navigate change and empower yourself? This session tackles what you need to know… Meet the speakers: Kate Muir is a filmmaker and author of Everything You Need to Know About the Pill and Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause. She produced Channel 4 documentaries on menopause and the pill with Davina McCall. Read up on Everything You Need to Know About the Pill by Kate Muir for more in-depth insights. Deborah Garlick is the Founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, Deborah is a leading voice in raising awareness about menopause and supporting women in navigating this stage of life. She's passionate about empowering women and ensuring that menopause is understood as a natural life stage.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Imogen Shaw, a hormone health expert specializing in menopause, dives into the often-taboo topic of vaginal health. She addresses common issues like dryness and discomfort, emphasizing that these experiences are widespread among women. Dr. Shaw offers practical self-care tips, discusses the role of vaginal estrogen, and debunks misconceptions about post-menopausal health. Tune in for expert insights and empowering advice on navigating this crucial aspect of women's well-being.

Join Lou Furby, an events manager at Specsavers, and Julie Cridland, a health and wellbeing lead at Aster Group, as they share inspiring insights from their roles in menopause support. They discuss effective strategies for engaging employers on menopause issues and highlight the importance of ongoing conversations. With personal experiences fueling their advocacy, they stress the need for supportive networks and create a culture that fosters open dialogue about women's health. It's a rallying call for change in the workplace!

Dr. Bill Robertson-Smith, a Women's Bone Health Researcher and NHS Senior Surgical Care Practitioner, joins Deborah Garlick to shed light on vital bone health insights. They discuss how menopause dramatically impacts bone density and introduce self-assessment tools for monitoring health. Key topics include the necessity of vitamin D and exercise, especially resistance training, to strengthen bones. Dr. Robertson-Smith emphasizes DEXA scans for risk assessment and shares practical tips for proactive care, empowering women to maintain strong bones into the future.