About
Do you get more discharge than you used to? A fishy smell that won’t go away (if you know, you know!)? Recurrent itching, burning and discomfort? Bacterial vaginosis (BV) or thrush may be the culprit, but some of these are also classic symptoms of menopause, as the vaginal tissue becomes drier and more sensitive. It’s hard to know the difference, and many women end up treating the wrong thing for months or even years.
In this episode I’m joined by Dr Charlotte-Eve Short, a Consultant in Sexual Health who works with women struggling with these conditions. She’s also a Clinical Associate Professor at Imperial College conducting research into bacterial vaginosis.
We talk about:
- The difference between BV and thrush, and how their symptoms compare
- How falling oestrogen changes your risk of each, and why thrush becomes less likely but BV can still happen
- Why self-treating can backfire, and how to get onto the correct treatment pathway
- What happens at a sexual health clinic, and how to self-refer on the NHS
- The important role of the vaginal microbiome in these conditions
- Why pH tests and private microbiome tests can’t be relied on after the menopause
- Vaginal oestrogen and moisturisers: what they do and who can use them
- Diet, probiotics and lifestyle: how you can help yourself, and what the evidence says
You’ll need a notebook for this one, because there’s a LOT of helpful information, but it could be a gamechanger if you’re struggling with symptoms.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave a five-star rating and a quick review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. It really helps more women find the show. After all, every woman deserves to have a happy menopause.
Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest.
Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.