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Embracing Change: Helping you navigate the Menopause for a vibrant life

Embracing change: Helping you navigate the Menopause for a vibrant life

It’s World Menopause Day on 18 October and our Health Board has planned an event to help and support you to prepare for, and navigate your way, through the Menopause.

The session will be held on Teams from 12.30 - 1.30pm.

To join the session, follow this link.

Leading the session will be three health board experts; individuals who are highly specialised in improving outcomes for women’s health and wellbeing:

  • Dr Nadia Hikary-Bhal - UroGynaecologist and Menopause Specialist
  • Dr Liza Thomas-Emrus - GP and Lifestyle Medicine Specialist
  • Dr Emma Marie Williams - Principal Clinical Psychologist

What to expect from attending:

  • Talking about the Menopause, the causes and types
  • Demystifying the Menopause – we’ll be addressing some of the common myths
  • Managing common symptoms (such as sleep, stress, nutrition, exercise and social connection)
    •  What can you do to help yourself?
    •  Useful resources
  • Everything you need to know about HRT (Including HRT alternatives)
  • Exploring the psychological impact of the Menopause
    • Discussing the importance of mental wellbeing to managing your symptoms.

Introducing MALI

The session will also see the launch of an exciting new Menopause Service for CTM women called MALI - Menopause and Lifestyle Improvement. Mali will take a holistic approach to caring for women, offering group consultations (including HRT prescribing) and health coaching.

During the event, you will have the option to share any personal experiences of the Menopause (if you feel comfortable to do so), but to also gain insight from shared experiences.

Send us your questions in advance

To help us answer as many of your questions as possible during the session, we invite you to send any questions in advance to: CTM.News@wales.nhs.uk

Please add this subject to your email - CTM Menopause event (18 October).

Meet our CTM experts

Dr Nadia Hikary-Bhal

Nadia started her journey in women's health very early in life, walking in her grandfather's and father's footsteps, who were both Gynaecologists. With a commitment spanning a quarter-century, Nadia has devoted herself to women's health matters and education. Her journey is adorned with numerous credentials and accolades. One of her driving passions lies in listening to women, promoting equality and being involved in shaping health policies.

Over the past five years, Nadia's interests have shifted towards enhancing midlife health, delving into lifestyle medicine, and exploring the science behind healthy ageing. Nadia was appointed Menopause Service Lead at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board in June 2023 and is working on collaborative projects across primary and secondary care, changing the landscape of Menopause services in the health board.

Nadia is married to Kiron, a Consultant UroGynaecologist. Their busy lives include not only four children and four pets but also the operation of Infiniti Healthcare, a private women's health clinic, located in Cardiff, South Wales and renowned for its exceptional care for women.

Dr Liza Thomas-Emrus

Dr Liza Thomas-Emrus is a GP and specialist in Lifestyle Medicine with a focus on helping patients to make practical, sustainable lifestyle changes to improve their long term health.

As the Clinical Lead for the Wellness Improvement Service (known as WISE), Liza supports patients by integrating support for sleep, wellbeing, nutrition, exercise, social connection and minimising harmful behaviours.

She is passionate about Menopause care, emphasising how a lifestyle medicine approach can help to improve women's symptoms alongside any pharmacological management required.

Her work prioritises patient empowerment and holistic, personalised care for long term wellness.

Dr Emma-Marie Williams

Dr Emma-Marie Williams is a Principal Clinical Psychologist and the Psychology Advisor for WISE. Emma believes that self-awareness is a ‘superpower’ and works to increase individuals’ understanding of why they are struggling, why they feel stuck and exploring what really matters to them.

Change of any form is difficult, so Emma believes it’s vital to explore what motivates people to change and what their goals are so that they understand what would make change worth all of the effort.

Emma draws on a number of different Psychological models to then support individuals to develop skills to not only survive their struggles but to thrive in spite of them, carving out the best quality of life possible.

This is going to be a really great session and we hope you can join us!

If you aren’t able to attend this session, don’t worry, as it will be recorded and made available on our CTM website and social media pages.

10/10/2024