Menopause Nurse Memo's

Vikki Ellison

Join Vikki Ellison a menopause specialist nurse from Calm Menopause & Wellbeing Clinic each week for bite-sized conversations on perimenopause and menopause—designed to inform, reassure, and empower. In under 15 minutes, you’ll get clear, practical insights into everything from symptoms and treatment options to lifestyle tips and the latest evidence-based guidance. Whether you’re navigating hormonal changes yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about this natural life stage, these short episodes cut through the noise with advice you can trust. 

  1. 1d ago

    Contraception during perimenopause & menopause

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the podcast. Contraception during perimenopause & menopause this podcast is talking about a stage of life that many women enter with questions, confusion, and often very little clear guidance — perimenopause and menopause. For many, this transition can bring a combination of changing hormones, unpredictable cycles, heavy menstrual bleeding, mood changes, sleep disruption, hot flushes, brain fog, and shifting energy levels. At the same time, contraception can still be an important consideration. One of the biggest misconceptions is that fertility disappears overnight — but pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause, even when periods become irregular. In this episode, we’ll explore how contraception choices can support not only pregnancy prevention, but also symptom management and quality of life during the menopause transition. We’ll discuss the different options available, including hormonal and non-hormonal methods, and how individual health needs, lifestyle, and symptoms all play a role in finding the right approach. We’ll also focus on two combined oral contraceptive pills that are increasingly discussed in this space: Zoely and Qlaira. Both can be particularly helpful for women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, troublesome perimenopausal symptoms, and the need for reliable contraception. Qlaira contains estradiol valerate, a form of estrogen closer to the body’s natural estrogen, and is licensed for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in women who also want contraception. It may help regulate cycles, reduce bleeding, and improve some hormone-related symptoms during perimenopause. Zoely combines nomegestrol acetate with natural estradiol and may offer good cycle control with stable hormone levels, which some women find beneficial for mood changes, headaches, and fluctuating perimenopausal symptoms, while still providing effective contraception. As always, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best choice depends on age, medical history, migraine history, smoking status, cardiovascular risk factors, bleeding patterns, and personal preferences. So whether you’re navigating changing periods, considering contraception in your 40s or 50s, or simply trying to understand your options during perimenopause and menopause, this episode is here to help you make informed, confident decisions about your health. https://calmmenopause.co.uk/ https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CzLZjxgPA%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&e=AT05ML4wHgdNu244GlOIripK8SgnACBVq3N-pbK88PgHf52KJQDwwtDQCAys5NNNb5kTKOa7HVVAQi1KaKvJTfixUbLLm8u15OAyA0GYTNNpt9WZkyFfM7o

    18 min

  2. May 24

    HRT Choices

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the podcast, where we explore Hormone Replacement Therapy — often known as HRT — and the choices available to women during perimenopause and menopause. For many women, navigating menopause can feel confusing and overwhelming. Alongside symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, poor sleep, brain fog, low mood, and joint aches, many are faced with trying to understand whether HRT is the right option for them — and if so, which type. With so much information available, and sometimes conflicting advice, it can be difficult to know where to start. This podcast is here to help simplify those choices. Together, we’ll explore the different types of HRT available, including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, body-identical hormones, patches, gels, sprays, tablets, and vaginal oestrogen. We’ll discuss the benefits, possible risks, common myths, who can safely use HRT, and how treatment can be tailored to your individual needs and symptoms. Whether you’re just beginning to consider HRT, already using it and wondering if your treatment is right for you, or simply want clear, evidence-based information to help you make informed decisions, this podcast will provide practical guidance and compassionate support. Menopause is not one-size-fits-all — and neither is HRT. So wherever you’re listening from, join us as we break down the options, answer common questions, and empower women to make confident choices about their menopause care. https://calmmenopause.co.uk/ https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CzLZjxgPA%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&e=AT05ML4wHgdNu244GlOIripK8SgnACBVq3N-pbK88PgHf52KJQDwwtDQCAys5NNNb5kTKOa7HVVAQi1KaKvJTfixUbLLm8u15OAyA0GYTNNpt9WZkyFfM7o

    13 min

  3. May 10

    Mental health & Wellbeing during the Perimenopause & Menopause

    Send us Fan Mail For many women, this stage of life can bring unexpected emotional and psychological changes alongside the physical symptoms. Anxiety, low mood, overwhelm, poor sleep, loss of confidence, brain fog, irritability, and feeling “not quite yourself” are incredibly common — yet so many women suffer in silence or feel misunderstood. This podcast is here to change that conversation. Together, we’ll explore the impact that hormonal changes can have on emotional wellbeing, relationships, work, sleep, confidence, and everyday life. We’ll discuss evidence-based treatments, lifestyle approaches, self-care strategies, and the importance of understanding that you are not alone in what you’re experiencing. Whether you are just beginning to notice changes, are struggling with severe symptoms, or are supporting someone through menopause, this podcast aims to provide reassurance, education, and practical support in a compassionate and non-judgemental space. So wherever you’re listening from, take a moment for yourself, and join us as we navigate mental health and wellbeing through perimenopause and menopause together. https://calmmenopause.co.uk/ https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CzLZjxgPA%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&e=AT05ML4wHgdNu244GlOIripK8SgnACBVq3N-pbK88PgHf52KJQDwwtDQCAys5NNNb5kTKOa7HVVAQi1KaKvJTfixUbLLm8u15OAyA0GYTNNpt9WZkyFfM7o

    9 min

  4. Jan 25

    The impact perimenopause & menopause can have on your relationships

    Send us Fan Mail Perimenopause and menopause are often discussed in terms of physical symptoms, but their impact reaches far beyond the individual. Fluctuating hormones can influence mood, energy, confidence, sleep, and cognition—changes that inevitably shape how someone relates to the people around them. Partners may struggle to understand sudden shifts in emotions or intimacy, friendships can feel strained when someone withdraws or feels “unlike themselves,” and professional relationships may be affected by brain fog, fatigue, or reduced tolerance for stress. In this podcast, we explore how perimenopause and menopause can affect relationships with partners, friends, and colleagues, and why awareness matters on both sides. We will talk openly about the misunderstandings, the unspoken frustrations, and the quiet losses that can occur—but also about communication, compassion, and practical ways to strengthen relationships during this transition. Because menopause is not just a personal experience; it is a shared one, and understanding it can make all the difference. https://calmmenopause.co.uk/ https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CzLZjxgPA%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&e=AT05ML4wHgdNu244GlOIripK8SgnACBVq3N-pbK88PgHf52KJQDwwtDQCAys5NNNb5kTKOa7HVVAQi1KaKvJTfixUbLLm8u15OAyA0GYTNNpt9WZkyFfM7o

    10 min

  5. 12/07/2025

    The effects of perimenopause and menopause in the work place

    Send us Fan Mail This podcast brings you an eye-opening conversation that affects millions of women—yet is still too often misunderstood or overlooked in professional settings: the impact of perimenopause and menopause in the workplace. In this episode, you’ll hear real, honest discussion about what it’s like to navigate symptoms such as hot flushes, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and brain fog while trying to meet the demands of modern working life. We talk about the emotional toll, the practical challenges, and the silent struggles that women often carry without support. You’ll also hear insightful reflections on what employers can do better—from creating open cultures to implementing simple, effective adjustments that can make a world of difference. And, importantly, we explore how awareness and understanding can empower women to advocate for themselves and thrive during this transition. It’s a conversation filled with lived experience, professional insight, and plenty of compassion—one that we hope will spark change, encourage empathy, and remind anyone listening that they’re not alone. https://calmmenopause.co.uk/ https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CzLZjxgPA%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&e=AT05ML4wHgdNu244GlOIripK8SgnACBVq3N-pbK88PgHf52KJQDwwtDQCAys5NNNb5kTKOa7HVVAQi1KaKvJTfixUbLLm8u15OAyA0GYTNNpt9WZkyFfM7o

    8 min

  6. 11/23/2025

    What is brain fog and why does it happy during the perimenopause and menopause?

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked topic of brain fog — that frustrating sense of mental cloudiness, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating that so many women experience during perimenopause and menopause. Our guest experts unpack what’s really happening in the brain during this stage of life. They explain how hormonal changes, particularly fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone, can affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine — chemicals that play key roles in memory, focus, and mood. We’ll also explore how other factors common in midlife, such as poor sleep, stress, and the demands of daily life, can intensify these symptoms. Listeners will hear practical advice on how to manage brain fog — from lifestyle adjustments and nutrition to evidence-based treatments that support cognitive health. Most importantly, the episode helps normalise the experience, reassuring women that they are not “losing their minds” — their brains are simply responding to a major hormonal transition. If you’ve ever walked into a room and forgotten why, struggled to recall a word, or felt mentally “off” during menopause, this podcast will help you understand why — and what you can do about it. https://calmmenopause.co.uk/ https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CzLZjxgPA%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&e=AT05ML4wHgdNu244GlOIripK8SgnACBVq3N-pbK88PgHf52KJQDwwtDQCAys5NNNb5kTKOa7HVVAQi1KaKvJTfixUbLLm8u15OAyA0GYTNNpt9WZkyFfM7o

    10 min

  7. 11/09/2025

    Joint and muscle pain during the perimenopause and menopause

    Send us Fan Mail Many women notice new or worsening joint and muscle pain as they move through perimenopause and menopause — but it’s not just “wear and tear.” Hormonal changes, especially the decline in oestrogen, can affect connective tissue, muscle recovery, and inflammation, leading to stiffness, soreness, or fatigue that can impact everyday life. In this episode, we explore why these changes happen and, most importantly, what you can do to feel better. Join us as we discuss: How menopause affects joints, muscles, and recoveryThe science behind oestrogen’s role in tissue healthPractical steps to reduce pain and improve mobilityThe benefits of exercise, nutrition, and restWhen hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments may helpWhether you’re waking up achy or struggling to stay active, this conversation offers clear, evidence-based guidance to help you move with more ease and confidence. Listen now to understand your body better — and take control of your midlife wellbeing. https://calmmenopause.co.uk/ https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CzLZjxgPA%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&e=AT05ML4wHgdNu244GlOIripK8SgnACBVq3N-pbK88PgHf52KJQDwwtDQCAys5NNNb5kTKOa7HVVAQi1KaKvJTfixUbLLm8u15OAyA0GYTNNpt9WZkyFfM7o

    12 min

  8. 10/04/2025

    Poor sleep during perimenopause and menopause

    Send us Fan Mail Sleep—something so basic, yet so many women lose it right when they need it most. During perimenopause and menopause, disrupted nights become one of the most common and frustrating symptoms. But why does this happen? As oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels begin to fluctuate, the brain’s sleep-regulating systems get thrown off balance. Add in hot flushes, night sweats, increased anxiety, and changes in mood, and suddenly a restful night’s sleep feels out of reach. What’s more, the body’s natural circadian rhythm can shift with age, making it even harder to fall—and stay—asleep. Today, we’re diving into the science behind these changes, exploring how hormones, stress, and lifestyle all play a role in women’s sleep during this stage of life. Most importantly, we’ll be sharing strategies and solutions that can help you reclaim your rest. Because better sleep isn’t just about feeling less tired—it’s about supporting your overall health, your resilience, and your quality of life. https://calmmenopause.co.uk/ https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1CzLZjxgPA%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr&e=AT05ML4wHgdNu244GlOIripK8SgnACBVq3N-pbK88PgHf52KJQDwwtDQCAys5NNNb5kTKOa7HVVAQi1KaKvJTfixUbLLm8u15OAyA0GYTNNpt9WZkyFfM7o

    9 min
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About

Join Vikki Ellison a menopause specialist nurse from Calm Menopause & Wellbeing Clinic each week for bite-sized conversations on perimenopause and menopause—designed to inform, reassure, and empower. In under 15 minutes, you’ll get clear, practical insights into everything from symptoms and treatment options to lifestyle tips and the latest evidence-based guidance. Whether you’re navigating hormonal changes yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about this natural life stage, these short episodes cut through the noise with advice you can trust. 

Information

  • Creator
    Vikki Ellison
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Menopause Nurse Memo's
  • Show Website
    Menopause Nurse Memo's