Begin Again with Davina McCall

GP & Women's Health Expert: How Menopause Affects The Whole Body. Why Women Are Ignored In Medicine! Dr Nighat Arif.

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Episode notes

This week on Begin Again, Davina welcomes the incredibly inspiring Women’s Health Expert and GP, Dr. Nighat Arif.

In this episode, Dr. Nighat joins Davina to talk about her career dedicated to breaking the taboos surrounding reproductive health. Born in Pakistan and having moved to the UK aged nine, Dr. Nighat shares how her personal journey and cultural background have driven her passion for advocating for women’s health, from menstruation to menopause.

She reflects on her ongoing mission to empower women of all ages to approach their health with confidence, understanding, and without stigma.

Find Dr Nighat's book "The Knowledge: Your guide to female health – from menstruation to the menopause" here: https://amzn.to/4fcOXh6

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(00:00) Intro

(01:24) What Is Nighat's Mission For Women's Health?

(04:48) Growing Up In Pakistan: Nighat's Story

(08:29) How Nighat's Father Inspired Her Family's Success

(12:23) Nighat's Journey: Identifying The Need To Support Women's Health

(13:53) Misogyny In Medicine

(15:53) Uncovering Racism In The Healthcare System

(20:13) The Menopause Explained: What Every Woman Needs To Know

(23:44) The Stigma Of Women's Health In South Asian Communities

(25:31) How To Find Help For Menopause: Nighat's Advice

(27:49) YouTube Health: A Platform For Women's Health Awareness

(29:15) Adobe Ad

(30:24) Spotify Ad

(31:23) Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): What You Need To Know

(33:01) Breast Cancer And HRT: Understanding The Risks And Benefits

(34:57) The Health Benefits Of Hormone Replacement Therapy

(36:48) Vaginal Oestrogen And Breast Cancer: Separating The Myths From Facts

(41:57) Why Women Have Been Misled About Their Health

(43:28) Is Age A Limiting Factor For Oestrogen Therapy?

(45:41) Are We Over-Medicalising Women's Health?

(50:35) The "Tough It Out" Mentality: Why Women Deserve Better Healthcare

(53:13) Nighat's New Book: A Must-Read For Women’s Health