Menopause Conversations - Ep 48 The Knowledge - from Menstruation to Menopause with Dr Nighat Arif

What an absolute privilege to interview Dr Nighat Arif who is a NHS GP in Buckinghamshire with a specialist interest in Women's Health & Family Planning. Dr Nighat is resident TV Doctor on BBC Breakfast, This Morning ITV & BBC LookEast and she is also the recipient of the 'Point of Light' award from the UK Prime Minister for her contribution to women's health , Ambassador for the Wellbeing of Women and headed up 'The Collective'. -a group of marginalised communities and is an Honorary Doctorate for Public health and women's health and being part of 'Team Halo' which is backed by the United Nations.
Dr Nighat made time in her busy schedule to share more insight about her book: The Knowledge and to discuss the lack of Equity and Equality in the UK healthcare system and how this impacts the lives of women and their families particularly in marginalised communities.
So here's some subjects we cover in this interview:
*Lay Books versus Medical books and how the knowledge will be great for ANYONE between 12-100...including men. The family looks different in 2023 with many fathers raising girls - so why shouldn't they be ready with the knowledge to assist their children
* We talk about being careful where we ALL consume our medical information - social media, peer groups and medical gaslighting
*We talk about the pressures adults face in supporting young adults - the growing pressures on their mental health and ours too.
*We talk about:
- discharge and Secretions
-blood flow during periods
-the cyclical and hormonal changes associated with female biology
-STD's (Sexually transmitted Diseases), Contraception - I learnt a lot !!
Some helpful websites to get more information (www.brook.ork.uk) (www.healthforteens.co.uk) (wwwletstalkaboutit.nhs.uk)
-unhelpful terminology with period products - out with the term 'Sanitary' or 'Hygiene'
-New kids on the block for an addition to pads, tampons in the form of - Mooncups, Period Pants
We talk more widely about the inequalities certain groups face and the challenges ahead for:
1)Transgender community
2)Those who have ADHD alongside hormonal changes
3)Those with Physical and mental disabilities are not getting the adequate supports they need.
4)Those who are Deaf - in 2023...there's no signing for the word 'menopause',
...and that 13% of girls in UK lose 1 day/ month from school due to pain and issues with periods.
5)The prevalence of medical mysogeny - where clinical data is based on men..but to extrapolate the data by saying women are 'small men'.
6) Why central guidance needs to change as currently it really reflects just white women and is written only in English.
7) Language and culture are important - not everyone views menopause positively. In arabic it is translated as "The age of despair'
8) We talk about the lack of Data for those experiencing PMDD. - Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Just 1 study exists since 2011 and that's from USA...not well designed and giving the impression black women don't experience PMDD!
9) We talk about the impacts of racism, homophobia, World politics, Colourism between faiths and gaslighting in communities - all impact the health equity for those needing better female health.
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Dr Nighat brings us hope through her ongoing projects. The fabulous work she's doing with marginalised groups - gaining their trust so that she can make healthcare better for ALL women and their communities.
We talk about her call for Action - for companies to support these grass roots organisations and to help them advertise what they do. If you run a group such as this = please do let Dr Nighat Arif know that you exist.
But the last words from Dr Nighat are still ringing in my ears, when she talks about her hopes for the next 5 years and for the Future health of women, when she says:
'We are the sum of our mistakes and missed opportunities' (Dr Nighat Arif)
The Knowledge is available in Tesco's supermarkets in UK and to order 'The Knowledge' - click the link :linktr.ee/drni... where you can order the book directly from you favourite stockist.
How about buying a copy and gifting it to your nearest community library, refuge, food bank, doctors surgery library, school...and anywhere else you can think of.
Here are Dr Nighats's socials :
Linkedin : / nighat-arif-78579512
TikTok : @drnighatarif
KZbin: ‪@DrNighatArif‬
Instagram : @drnighatarif
For more coaching conversations subscribe to my KZbin Channel:
Amantha King Coaching and if you're in business and keen to raise awareness about menopause please get in touch with me via my Linkedin profile or website:
amanthakingcoaching.com
/ amantha-king-coaching .

[@rupinderkaur6915]

Brilliant conversation! Especially the point around being the sandwich generation of women !