Emma Goswell and her mates Helen and Beena (sadly without Terri) are back for a good old catch up. The gang tackle the media frenzy around menopause, share personal health scares, and explore alternative therapies like Reiki and gong baths. It’s all about the importance of prioritising one's health, the controversy surrounding HRT, and the power of sound healing—all with a healthy dose of humour and empathy. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and...

"When you can see the cycle of life, everything changes" Hazel Showell is a business psychologist and coach, who has turned her personal struggles into a source of strength for others. She helps top executives learn to be happier. You might not be surprised to hear that she’s helped a fair few women at the height of their careers, to recognise that they might be going through #perimenopause and #menopause!  In her own life, Hazel has experienced endometriosis; infertility, surgical menopause...

“Don’t accept it’s over, because it’s really not!”  DJ Paulette has spun records and societal expectations into a legacy of empowerment and beats.  If you’ve ever been a clubber, you’ll know that the dance floor can be the background to personal, societal and cultural revolutions. DJ Paulette is testament to that, as a true pioneer of the Manchester music scene.   She started her career in early 90s Manchester, against the backdrop of Section 28, the AIDS crisis, and the Poll Tax riots. One...

“We’d be sitting around the dining table having a sweat!” Happy International Men’s Day! Effin Hormones is celebrating with a candid, poignant - and of course funny - conversation with the one and only Richard Goswell - Emma’s Dad!  Richard Goswell experienced symptoms that many menopausal women know about: severe hot flushes, night sweats and depression, due to having treatment for prostate cancer.  What was that like for him, and has that experience given him more insight into what it’s...

Dr Stacy Sims is an internationally renowned exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist, specialising in sex differences.  Her TED Talk, Women are not small men, explains why it’s so important for women to train around their cycle.  Stacy’s pioneering work is all about how hormones impact our bodies during the menstruating phase of life, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.  You’d be amazed - or maybe you won’t - at the lack of medical research that’s gone on down the years on...

Dr Liz O’Riordan is a breast cancer surgeon who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2015 aged 40.  She started blogging about her experiences of being both doctor and patient, went on to give a Ted talk and wrote the ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer’ – all with the aim of helping other patients.   All of this led to her being ­nominated for a ‘Woman of the Year’ award in 2016.  After her cancer returned in 2018 she famously dressed as Mrs Incredible for her final radiotherapy...

'light your candle with knowledge and light it on further' Dr Nighat Arif is a powerhouse when it comes to raising awareness and busting taboos around women’s health.  She’s a GP, who specialises in women’s health and family planning and she’s a medical educator too.   If you’re based in the UK you’ll have seen her on the TV. Dr Nighat is the resident doctor on BBC Breakfast TV and ITV’s ‘This Morning’.  She’s got her own radio show on BBC Three Counties radio. She does brilliant reels on...

"Sexuality is our life force energy" Dr Claire Macaulay is an Oncology Doctor, who also helps peri and menopausal women have the sex lives they want. Her dual career came about after one of her breast cancer patients told her that she didn't know which was worse. The fact that she was going to die of cancer one day, or the fact that she couldn't have sex with her husband. Cancer patients can experience menopause as part of their treatment. Those menopausal symptoms can have a huge...

"If one person feels heard, then that's important." Meera Bhogal is a menopause expert, personal trainer and fitness coach, who runs the platform Meera’s Made from Scratch, which includes training plans, clubs, and support with health, nutrition and exercise.  Meera’s passionate about raising awareness of menopause, particularly with South Asian women. She has also spoken to people at Sikh Gurdwaras - helping to break down taboos about menopause in South Asian communities.  She’s even been...

Why can't we get hold of #HRT? What protection do you have at work if you're off due to #menopause or #perimenopause symptoms? And -who's looking out for our interests? The gang get back together for a big old catch up about the politics of menopause. Hearing from campaigners like Carol Vorderman, Kate Muir, Carolyn Harris MP and Mariella Frostrup. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyond Website Instagram Twitter  Mentioned in this episode: Effin Hormones is...

'Don't put yourself at the bottom of the pile' Sam Walker has wise words for you if you've been struggling through perimenopause and menopause.   Sam is an award winning broadcaster; podcaster and author. She worked on national radio in the UK, before upping sticks and moving to - Phoenix Arizona! Her award winning podcast Desert Diaries tells you the story. She’s now an audio consultant and podcaster. Emma and Helen hear Sam's perimenopause story, which was incredibly tough for her at...

"If a dinner lady from Swansea can make changes, anyone can." Carolyn Harris MP has been a dinner lady and a barmaid. Nowadays - she's an MP who's been doing INCREDIBLE work as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Menopause. If you're getting HRT on prescription in England, it's thanks to Carolyn that you're going to be able to pay for your prescription yearly. That means you're going to save a lot of money.   Carolyn breaks a LOT of the stereotypes of what you might expect an MP...

Without Louise Minchin, there would be no Effin Hormones! Louise is a TV presenter, journalist and author. She's well known in the UK for being one of the presenters of BBC Breakfast, a job she’d had for years until announcing her departure in 2021. Louise was holding down that high profile job while going through perimenopause. At the time, she kept asking the production team to cover menopause - because she knew it would get a big response from viewers. In the end, her producer decided...

Sarah Graham is an award winning health writer, whose book 'Rebel Bodies', is a manifesto for change when it comes to women's health. Find out why it's not all in your head, in this bonus Effin Hormones episode!

Has Emma solved her hot flushes with HRT? Has Helen finally worked out whether she's perimenopausal or not?! The gang have a couple of updates for you. Seeing as it's the start of a new year, Emma, Helen, Beena and Terri also put the world to rights and discuss what more needs to be done to improve menopause and perimenopause care for all. Connect with Effin Hormones. A perimenopause podcast. Website Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Mentioned in this episode: Effin Hormones is sponsored by...

Sharon and her husband JB are the first couple to chat to the Effin Hormones gang! What a brilliant couple they are too. They’re both very much in love, and a right laugh to hang out with. So - how did they cope when menopause hit Sharon like a ton of bricks?  Sharon and JB discuss the impact menopausal symptoms have had on Sharon's career, her mental health and their relationship.  They also share some great tips on how to communicate with each other through what can be an incredibly...

"Companies collaborate in the menopause space to make a difference" Sally Mueller and Michelle Jacobs are the co-founders of Womaness - a new brand covering the menopause market in the United States. They've worked for huge US brands like Target, Pfizer and the shopping TV network HSN. But as Sally asks, "Why was I creating all these brands for millennials? Why am I not tackling this space for women like me?" They’re on a mission to spread some - as they call it - 'menopositivity' into...

"Everyone should be able to get their hormones back on the NHS shouldn't they?" Dr Louise Newson is the UK's leading voice on menopause and perimenopause. Seven years ago, she set up a private clinic because she'd heard from so many women who were being offered antidepressants for their menopause, instead of HRT. Louise hadn't wanted to go down the private route - she had found that was her only option. Her aim, at first, was to be able to help a few people, but word spread and now her...

Chin chin from all the gang as we celebrate our win at the British Podcast Awards 2022! Effin Hormones won GOLD for the Best Wellbeing Podcast in those awards, so join the gang as we chink chink to our success - with prosecco, nosecco and.........a cup of tea. You'll hear what it's been like for Emma as a new mum, plus we give an update on the government's plans for women's and girls' health over the next ten years, with the Women's Health Strategy for England.

Yeah baby - we are gold! We've won Best Well-being in the British Podcast Awards! Here's a little message of thanks from Producer, Helen x

We’ve got some news!

It's the end of series 2, and in this episode you're going to hear some FABULOUS news from our host Emma!  This episode is also all about representation. One of the reasons why we decided to start this podcast about #perimenopause and beyond, was because we hadn't felt represented. There's been a stereotypical image of the menopausal woman in the past, that just didn't fit with us. There are plenty more people who are experiencing this, who aren't often represented too.  This...

Kate Muir is the journalist who brought you the TV documentary "Davina McCall: Sex Myths and the Menopause", in summer 2021. That TV programme had a huge impact on breaking down taboos when it came to talking about menopause and perimenopause. Kate and the Effin Hormones gang discuss that documentary, her next documentary with Davina McCall, and her new book, which is called "Everything You Need To Know About Menopause (But Were Too Frightened To Ask!)". Plus you'll get to find out exactly...

Sync Your Cycle "I put my children's needs before mine. I realised to keep them healthy, I needed to keep me healthy" Jem Brooks is a personal trainer who works with women in mid-life, to help them get back their spark. Did you know, that tracking our cycle is key, when it comes to exercising effectively? Jem can tell you all about that Plus - you'll hear all about the best ways to exercise in mid life - and during perimenopause and menopause - with to how to get fit in your 40's and...