Improving Access to Sexual Health Services with Health Innovation Wessex’s Nicky Smith and Sexual Health and HIV Service’s Rebecca Jones #6

Pelvic Health: How to Get Fit on the Inside with Carol Clark and Sally Sheppard #8

“Two thirds of women will fix the problems if they just know where their pelvic floor is and start using it.”   Our pelvic health is not a taboo subject. It’s a vital part of our wellbeing at every stage of life, so why does it remain such a mysterious art to so many of us? In this episode of “Speaking of Women’s Health,” Marianne and Anjali welcome Carol Clark and Sally Shepherd, who lift the lid on what pelvic health actually is, revealing how the pelvic floor underpins our comfort and confidence. Tune in to discover practical, "invisible" steps you can take today and learn how collective knowledge-sharing is helping women across Dorset advocate for the care they deserve. 🔑 Key Themes - Demystifying Pelvic Health and Understanding the Pelvic Floor - Stigma, Silence, and Cultural Barriers - Community Support and Education for the Next Generation - Nudges, Apps, and System‑Level Change 🎯 Action Items for Listeners - Learn to find and use your pelvic floor muscles - Incorporate pelvic floor exercises into daily life, long term - Avoid habits that strain the pelvic floor - Use trusted digital tools like the NHS‑endorsed Squeezy app - Seek help if symptoms don’t improve - Open up conversations about pelvic health with other women - Visit the Women’s Health website for evidence-based health information.  - Share the podcast and website with other women in the community.  - Consider how to advocate for women’s health in your local area.  - Encourage male family members and partners to learn about women’s health issues. 🔗 Connect with us Carol Clark , LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-clark-02b6a537/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-clark-02b6a537/] Sally Sheppard, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-sheppard-44b33716a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-sheppard-44b33716a/] Marianne Storey, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/]Anjali Mavi, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/]Dorset Women CIC Website:https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/ [https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/]Women’s Health Support in Dorset:https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/ [https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/]

Screening, Immunisation and Prevention Support with Dr Helen Platts and Paul Bolton #7

“If you’re invited for screening and you’re nervous or not sure what it means, ask - we’d much rather you asked us than ignored the letter.” When it comes to preventing common health challenges for women, learning from the right source of knowledge could literally save lives. In this episode of “Speaking of Women’s Health,” Marianne and Anjali go behind the scenes of cancer prevention with Dr. Helen Platts, a GP and cancer specialist, and Paul Bolton, who’s Clinical Service Manager for the Integrated Vaccine Service. Their candid conversation reveals the strategic efforts in Dorset that are catching issues early and saving lives, as well as their mission to reach underserved communities with knowledge and support. Tune in to discover more about the screening programmes that benefit us most, new, accessible developments like home self-sampling kits, and how you can become a powerful advocate for your own long-term health. 🔑 Key Themes - Vaccines and Screening Working Together as Lifesaving Tools - Inequities in Uptake of Support - Battling Myths and Misinformation - Empowering People to Ask Questions and Take Action 🎯 Action Items for Listeners 1. Accept invites for screening, even if you have no symptoms. 2. Ask if you (or your child) are up to date with vaccines. 3. Ask questions to help calm nerves around the screening process.  4. Visit the Women’s Health website for evidence-based health information.  5. Share the podcast and website with other women in the community.  6. Consider how to advocate for women’s health in your local area.  7. Encourage male family members and partners to learn about women’s health issues. 🔗 Connect with us Dr Helen Platts , LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-helen-platts-944152240/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-helen-platts-944152240/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-helen-platts-944152240/Paul Bolton, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-bolton-b034a23a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-bolton-b034a23a/]Marianne Storey, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/Anjali Mavi, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/] Dorset Women CIC Website:https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/ [https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/] Women’s Health Support in Dorset:https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/ [https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/]

Prevention & Screening: New Ways to Access Preventative Services with Dr Emma Hayward - BONUS #4

“It's really about holistic health, thinking about the menstrual cycle as a sign of overall health, as well as just reproductive health - it’s a vital sign.”   Welcome to the latest bonus episode with Dr Emma Hayward, where she this time demystifies a number of the tests used in preventative treatment, and lauds some of the revolutionary new self-testing available which is breaking down barriers to cancer prevention. We also dive into pelvic floor health, pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence, separating what’s “common” from what’s truly “normal” – and when it’s time to ask for help. 🔑 Key Themes -Understanding Cancer Prevention and Early Detection -Barriers to Cancer Screening and How to Overcome Them - Knowing Your Own Body: Self‑Checks and Body Literacy - Treatment and Support Options for Pelvic Floor Problems 🎯 Action Items for Listeners 1. Do regular pelvic floor exercises 2. Know key red‑flag symptoms and seek help promptly 3. Learn and practice self‑checks 4. Engage with screening invites or consider HPV self‑testing (where available) 5. Visit the Women’s Health website for evidence-based health information.  6. Share the podcast and website with other women in the community.  7. Consider how to advocate for women’s health in your local area.  8. Encourage male family members and partners to learn about women’s health issues. 🔗 Connect with us Dr Emma Hayward, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremmathurston/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremmathurston/] Marianne Storey, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/] Anjali Mavi, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/] Dorset Women CIC Website:https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/ [https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/] Women’s Health Support in Dorset:https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/ [https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/]

Improving Access to Sexual Health Services with Health Innovation Wessex’s Nicky Smith and Sexual Health and HIV Service’s Rebecca Jones #6

“Women are 50% of the population, and over 50% of the population in Dorset. So this is a group that just deserves to have appropriate sexual health care.”   Your sexual health is about more than just having sex. It’s a broad, nuanced area, and we deserve access to services which are equally as complex and far-reaching. Dorset’s health programmes are tackling historic issues like contraceptive fittings, long wait times, insufficient education & outreach, and lack of access. That’s where the dedication of Nicky Smith and Rebecca Jones is making a REAL impact, creating services that work for every single woman in Dorset. Join us on ‘Speaking of Women’s Health’ as we break taboos, show how we’re reaching all communities, and share confidential, safe resources for reliable sexual health services. 🔑 Key Themes - Expanding Access to Inclusive, Confidential Health Services - The Power of Education and Outreach - Addressing Myths and Cultural Barriers - Community Voices Shaping Our Services - Innovation and Ongoing Improvement 🎯 Action Items for Listeners 1. Visit the Our Dorset Women’s Health website for evidence-based health information.  2. Share the podcast and website with other women in the community.  3. Share your experiences and feedback through the Dorset Women’s Health online resource to help improve services 4. Encourage ongoing conversations about women’s health - including men and family members - to help break down myths and support each other 🔗 Connect with us Nicky Smith, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicky-smith-7120002bb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicky-smith-7120002bb/] Marianne Storey, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/] Anjali Mavi, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/]Dorset Women CIC Website:https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/ [https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/] Women’s Health Support in Dorset:https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/ [https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/]

Compassionate Maternal Mental Health Services with Dorset’s Head of Perinatal Services, Jagoda Banovic and MMHS Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr Joanna Yilmaz #5

“Women’s mental health is spoken about, but not enough. Services need to be developed and delivered around them and their needs, and their voices need to be heard.”   Becoming a mother is among the greatest endeavours one can experience, so how can we shape the mental health services to ACTUALLY support those who need it most? Maternal mental health services care for mothers at their most vulnerable moments, particularly for those who might face separation from their babies. This week’s episode of ‘Speaking of Women’s Health’ features the wonderful Jagoda Banovic and Dr Joanna Yilmaz, whose direct work with women in Dorset brings services in line with what they really need. Join us to explore the power of compassion & collective action, and how maternal mental health is being reshaped with women at the heart of it. 🔑 Key Themes -Compassionate, Specialised Care for Women’s Mental Health -Innovation and Collaboration Across Sectors of Healthcare -Tackling Trauma, Stigma and Complex Challenges -Breaking Systemic Barriers to Create Change  🎯 Action Items for Listeners 1. Visit the Women’s Health website for evidence-based health information.  2. Share the podcast and website with other women in the community.  3. Open up discussions about mental health with trusted close friends and family to destigmatise mental health challenges 🔗 Connect with us Marianne Storey, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-storey-46938435/]Anjali Mavi, LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-mavi-66a5a86/]Dorset Women CIC Website:https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/ [https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/] Women’s Health Support in Dorset:https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/ [https://ourdorset.org.uk/women/]