Things you should know about the Merina in HRT

Introduction: Highlighting the Importance of Women’s Health Choices

We watched last night’s Davina documentary with great interest! It is so important to highlight the choice that exists for women, and the paucity of research and development in some areas of women’s health.

Understanding the Impact of PMS and PMDD on Women’s Lives

We treat women with PMS and PMDD, and hear so many stories of a lifetime of struggling with cycles and contraceptives – this alone needs more visibility to both women and their doctors, to ensure it is thought about, checked for and decisions made around treatments that suit women and don’t cause mood changes that can be frightening, have a wide impact on wellbeing and relationships, and potentially even result in suicidality.

We support anything that educates more women and helps them take charge of their health, so applaud Channel 4 for giving this airtime.

The Coil Change: What You Need to Know

Last night’s documentary was also the first time we have seen a coil change on TV! Davina was offered an intracervical block – which is not available to everyone – but it is important to know your options here too, and the evidence suggests some women will find things more comfortable if they take painkillers ahead of the procedure, and ask for some form of local anaesthetic (gel and spray are an option more widely) too.

Empowering Women: Maintaining Agency and Autonomy during Fitting

We are also huge advocates of ensuring women know they continue to have full agency and autonomy over their bodies during the fitting – with the ability to stop at any point, and report pain and have their feelings both heard, and responded to.

Women should always have agency over what happens to their bodies – at all stages in their reproductive, and post-reproductive lives.