It was a pleasure to welcome Dr. Alex Price, a renowned Women’s Health Specialist, as she joined Winchester Pilates Director, Sam Parsons, for an engaging Instagram Live session on Thursday, November 6th.
During the session, Dr. Price shared invaluable insights on menopause, emphasising the importance of understanding hormones as key messengers affecting overall well-being. She highlighted that menopause is a natural life stage, impacting mental health and body composition, but with education and the right support — such as HRT and targeted nutrition — women can navigate this transition confidently. Dr. Price also stressed the power of movement and a natural diet in maintaining strength and vitality, encouraging women to listen to their bodies and seek personalised healthcare. Her empowering message underscored that menopause is not the end, but a new beginning filled with opportunities for positive change.
Read on to discover what was covered during the insightful Instagram Live.
Guest: Dr. Alex Price – Women’s Health Specialist
Dr. Alex Price has worked as a doctor for nearly 25 years, qualifying as a GP and later specialising in gynaecology, obstetrics and fertility. Passionate about women’s health, she joined us to share her insights on menopause, hormones, and the power of movement in supporting women through midlife and beyond.
Understanding Hormones and Menopause
- Hormones as messengers: Hormones are chemical messengers, and oestrogen receptors are found throughout the body — in the brain, muscles, and bones. Oestrogen affects far more than reproductive health.
- A global experience: Around 1 billion women are currently going through menopause worldwide. Historically, women didn’t live far beyond their reproductive years, making this a relatively new stage of life to navigate.
- Mental health impact: About 55% of women experience depression and 88% experience anxiety during menopause. Many are prescribed antidepressants when, in some cases, what’s really needed is oestrogen support.
- Individual journeys: Every woman’s experience is unique — some barely notice symptoms while others find them debilitating.
The Role of Education and HRT
- Empowerment through knowledge: Dr. Price encouraged women to educate themselves about hormonal changes to ease the transition.
- HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy):
- Can dramatically improve quality of life.
- The oestrogen used today is bioidentical, meaning it’s identical to the body’s natural oestrogen.
- The long-held belief that HRT increases cancer risk has been debunked.
- If you feel well on HRT, you can stay on it for life.
- It can take around three months to feel full benefits — a symptom checklist can help track changes.
- Blood tests are not a reliable indicator of hormonal levels as they fluctuate, but can be useful to rule out other conditions.
Nutrition and Movement
- Protein intake: As oestrogen declines, muscles become less responsive to growth stimuli. A high-protein diet supports muscle maintenance by providing essential amino acids.
- Body composition changes: Reduced oestrogen leads to increased fat deposition around the midsection, even in women who’ve always been slim.
- Exercise benefits:
- Regular strength and high-intensity training helps maintain bone density and boost metabolism.
- These forms of exercise continue to burn fat even after workouts, helping manage “menopause belly.”
- Collagen and oestrogen: Oestrogen plays a role in collagen production. Rather than relying on powdered supplements, Dr. Price recommends obtaining collagen naturally through whole foods.
Supplements and Skepticism
- The supplement industry is vast, and many products target menopausal women seeking relief.
- Dr. Price cautioned that scientific evidence for many natural supplements is limited, and women should approach these claims critically.
Listening to Your Body
- Women are encouraged to trust their intuition — if something feels off, discuss symptoms with a GP or women’s health specialist.
- Soft tissue pain and stiffness may also be linked to declining oestrogen, as its receptors exist in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
A Positive Outlook
Dr. Price closed with an empowering message:
“Women should not feel despair or sadness about their hormonal changes. There is so much that can be done. Speak to your doctor, seek a women’s health specialist, and explore the options available — small steps can make a big difference.”
Useful links
News on Health – Dr Louise Newson
Hormone and Fertility experts on The Diary of a CEO – Spotify
