DeepSummary
The episode is a conversation about the menopause, featuring journalist Kirsty Wark and professor Joyce Harper as guests. They discuss the lack of open discussion about menopause despite it being a universal experience for women, the various symptoms associated with it, and the importance of breaking taboos around this topic.
They explore how attitudes towards menopause differ across cultures, with some societies celebrating it as a transition while others stigmatize it. The guests emphasize the need for better education and awareness, both in schools and workplaces, to support women going through this natural process.
They also talk about treatment options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and lifestyle changes, as well as the challenges women face in managing menopause symptoms alongside other responsibilities like work and family. Overall, the episode aims to normalize conversations around menopause and empower women with knowledge.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Menopause is a natural process that all women experience, but it is often stigmatized and poorly understood, leading to a lack of open discussion and support.
- The symptoms of menopause can be wide-ranging and vary greatly from woman to woman, including physical, emotional, and cognitive changes.
- Cultural attitudes towards menopause differ, with some societies celebrating it as a transition while others view it negatively or ignore it.
- Better education and awareness about menopause are needed, in schools, workplaces, and society at large, to support women going through this phase.
- Treatment options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and lifestyle changes can help manage menopausal symptoms, but a holistic approach is recommended.
- The menopause transition can be empowering for women, leading to a renewed sense of self and personal growth.
- Open conversations and policies in the workplace are crucial to supporting menopausal women and combating stigma and discrimination.
- By normalizing discussions about menopause, women can be better prepared for this transition and receive the support they need.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Many haven't heard of the term perimenopause until they get there themselves and often many years after they've been in perimenopause.“ by Joyce Harper
- “The danger is you sideline it.“ by Kirsty Wark
- “For many of these women, all of the women I'm interviewing actually, because they're very inspiring women. And they say that post menopause, they finally feel that they've reached their authentication self.“ by Joyce Harper
- “Women feel they have to fight doubly hard to get where they are and they don't want to add something else on to that. And sometimes that is how women feel.“ by Kirsty Wark
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Episode Information
The Global Story
BBC World Service
6/14/24
Millions of women around the world will start the menopause this year, but research shows that many are unprepared for it. For a long time, the menopause has been a taboo subject, a fact which both of our guests are seeking to change.
Kirsty Wark is perhaps best known for presenting the BBC’s Newsnight programme, but she also hosted the groundbreaking documentary ‘The Menopause and Me’ in 2017. Professor Joyce Harper of the Institute for Women's Health at University College London is an expert on the menopause, and author of the book ‘Your Fertile Years’.
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TGS is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.
This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Tom Kavanagh and Rachel Hagan. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.