Expert speakers from University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) and Bournemouth University (BU) have teamed up to hold a series of free Understanding Health talks in 2024 with the first focusing on menopause.

Taking place on 6 March at 3pm in BU’s Bournemouth Gateway Building, Lansdowne (Room BG-110), the menopause talk will cover lifestyle advice, tips, information and support to improve the experience of the menopause journey.

Presenters Rosie Harper, clinical specialist physiotherapist in pelvic health at UHD, and Dr Emma Thurston, senior lecturer in physician associate studies at Bournemouth University and GP with a special interest in women’s sexual and reproductive health, will present and take questions from an in-house and online audience. 

Rosie said: “One in three women experience pelvic floor related problems, such as bladder leakage and pelvic organ prolapse, at predictable points in life, such as the menopause. While normalised, these symptoms are not normal, and there are many lifestyle tweaks you can make to prevent and treat these symptoms. We’ll be talking through some of these in March."

Dr Emma Thurston added: "Sexual health is a biopsychosocial phenomenon. It is important we consider all aspects of this framework to provide holistic care when women experience sexual health challenges during the menopause transition and beyond."

The free event is open to everyone but booking in required to attend in person. All the information for the event, including the link to watch remotely, are available on Eventbrite (www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/understanding-menopause-tickets-778231109197). The talks will also be recorded.