Explore every episode of the podcast This is 40

In this deeply personal episode, I share my candid experience with clitoral atrophy and vulvodynia. I highlight the systemic issues surrounding women's health education, the long delays in receiving accurate diagnoses, and the vital importance of advocating for yourself at the doctor's office.

It's a personal but OH SO practical episode for all you peri-menopausers out there. Key Takeaways

• Advocate Relentlessly for Your Health: Do not settle for quick, off-the-shelf fixes like thrush cream if symptoms persist; push your doctor for clear answers and specialised care.
• Understand Genitourinary Symptoms: Conditions like clitoral atrophy and vulvodynia are common aspects of the perimenopause transition, yet they are frequently underdiagnosed or delayed due to a lack of education and clinical training.
• Break the Stigma: Open conversations about female anatomy, sexual desire, and bodily changes after 40 are essential for quality of life and proper medical support.
• Explore Treatment Options: Localised topical oestrogen, HRT adjustments, and testosterone are potential paths to explore with a healthcare provider to alleviate physical discomfort and support tissue health.

Episode Highlights

• 00:04:00 – Explaining clitoral anatomy, oestrogen decline, and the reality of clitoral atrophy.
• 00:06:30 – Highlighting statistics around genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and diagnosis delays.
• 00:10:30 – Examining the cultural shame, vague language, and gaps in GP training regarding women's sexual health.
• 00:16:30 – Navigating shifting diagnoses, vulvodynia, and managing ongoing pelvic pain.
• 00:18:30 – Breakdown of non-hormonal and hormonal treatment options, including topical estrogen and testosterone.
• 00:21:00 – Reframing menopause as a "second springtime" and empowering listeners to advocate for their wellbeing.

About the Host

• Follow me on Instagram: @jettevirdi
• Follow the podcast: @this_is_40podcast 

Mentioned in the Episode

• Dr. Louise Newson: Women's health specialist and menopause expert (Follow on Instagram: @drlouisenewson)

End Credits This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk). If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

In this episode, I delve into the often unsaid truths of entering our forties and the sudden arrival of perimenopause. From unexpected middle-of-the-night anxiety and shifting bodies to the fear of becoming invisible as we age, I discuss what is really going on beneath the surface. We break down the societal pressures that keep us from being completely honest with our GPs, partners, and friends, and why we need to stop suffering in silence. Key Takeaways

• Perimenopause can feel like an abrupt transition rather than a slow drift, often bringing sudden symptoms like weight retention, insomnia, and new headaches.
• Mid-night racing hearts and sudden anxiety are often driven by falling oestrogen levels, not personal flaws or stress alone.
• Social pressure and tight 10-minute GP appointments frequently prevent women from speaking up about their health concerns.
• We need to dismantle the shame surrounding women’s health to gain clarity, proper care, and authentic connection.

Episode Highlights

• 00:00:43 - The struggle of identifying perimenopause symptoms without proper language or education.
• 00:03:15 - Audience responses: sex drive changes, menopause worries, and the fear of feeling invisible.
• 00:04:22 - Navigating sudden physical changes, sleepless nights, and unexpected headaches.
• 00:06:17 - Unpacking hormonal anxiety and the connection to dropping oestrogen levels.
• 00:08:15 - Why societal norms and heavy expectations keep us quiet about our health.
• 00:12:15 - Essential book recommendations to help navigate perimenopause and menopause.

Mentioned in the Episode

• MenoPausing by Dr Naomi Potter and Davina McCall
• The Definitive Guide to Perimenopause and Menopause by Dr Louise Newson
• Cracking the Menopause by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie
• Dr Louise Newson on Instagram (@menopause_doctor)
• Dr Naomi Potter
• Peri Community

This episode was written and recorded by me, Jette Verdi, and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk). If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review and find us @this_is_40podcast on Instagram.  

I’m Jette, your host, a single mama living in Scotland, and a Pilates studio owner. I am currently 43, and babe, things have changed. I didn't get a gradual transition into my forties; I woke up one morning and thought, what is going on with my body? From cellulite, mood changes, and weight gain to unexplainable headaches and clitoral atrophy, I found myself crying to doctors who simply told me, "You're just getting old. Welcome to perimenopause."

In this inaugural episode, I share my personal story and set out the mission for This is 40. We are done being told that feeling this way is just something we have to accept. I want to create a collective, shared space where we dive into the language, tests, and self-advocacy tools we need to start feeling like ourselves again.

We’re going to cover health, money, sex, relationships, and all the juicy stuff in between. Welcome to the ride!

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00:00 – Welcome to Episode One of This is 40!

• 00:00:50 – Who I am: 43, single mom, Pilates studio owner, and living in Scotland.

• 00:01:20 – The sudden shift: Sudden physical changes, perimenopause symptoms, and doctor visits.

• 00:02:10 – The frustration of being told "You're just getting old".

• 00:02:40 – The mission of the podcast: Learning to advocate for our health and demand tests.

• 00:03:30 – Why women's health is severely under-researched.

• 00:04:10 – What to expect from future episodes: Experts, real women, money, sex, and health.

• 00:05:00 – Breaking the taboos: Experiencing clitoral atrophy in your 40s.

• 00:05:50 – Join the community and connect on social media.

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk).

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and review!

Welcome to This is 40, a podcast dedicated to women in their forties who are done being told that what they are experiencing is 'normal and fine' (because we know we aren't!)

Hosted by me, Jette Virdi, a single mum, Pilates teacher, and lifelong asker of uncomfortable question, this show dives into the real, raw topics your GP doesn't have time to explain and most podcasts are too polite to mention. From perimenopause and brain fog to sex, money, and identity, get ready for honest, expert-backed conversations without the wellness waffle.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 – Welcome: Asking the questions you were too embarrassed to Google

• 00:20 – Meet me: Single mum, Pilates instructor, and podcast host

• 00:35 – Why This is 40 exists and who it is for

• 00:45 – The expert lineup: From neuroscientists to finance specialists

• 01:00 – The real topics covered: Perimenopause, sex after 40, brain fog, and identity

End Credits:

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk).