Women’s Health Unwrapped
Episode 157:
Why midlife women deserve better healthcare—And how to ask for it
Have you ever walked out of a GP appointment feeling like you weren’t really listened to?
“HRT can be a powerful tool, but it’s not the whole toolkit. Your lifestyle —what you eat, how you move, how you manage stress — matters just as much in helping you feel like yourself again.”
— Nicola Farndell
“Menopause isn’t just about biology — it’s emotional, psychological and social. You can’t address it in a 10-minute appointment. And when women are dismissed or given outdated advice, it’s not just their health that suffers — it’s their careers, relationships, confidence and sense of self. We lose powerful women because we’re not listening properly. That has to change.”
— Dr Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun
In this episode of Women’s Health Unwrapped:
You’ve got the symptoms. You’ve tried to explain. But somehow, you leave with a leaflet, a vague suggestion, or worse — feeling like it’s all in your head.
This week on Women’s Health Unwrapped, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun (Dr Sho) — GP, menopause ambassador, and passionate advocate for women’s health. Together, we unpack why so many women in their 40s and 50s are being underserved by the system — and what needs to shift so we can feel heard, helped, and healthy.
Dr Sho brings her perspective as both a patient and a practitioner, and her insight is something every midlife woman needs to hear.
Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, trying to get answers from your
In this episode we’re unwrapping:
Why so many midlife women feel dismissed or confused after GP appointments.
The truth about HRT, breast cancer risk, and the flawed study that set us back decades.
How to advocate for your own health without feeling pushy or overwhelmed.
The importance of culturally competent care — and why many women still don’t receive it.
What Dr Sho wants every woman to know before walking into her next medical appointment.
How lifestyle still plays a crucial role in feeling better — whether or not you take HRT.
What it means to meet your GP as an equal partner, not just a patient.
About Dr Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun:
Dr Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun (known as Dr Sho) is a GP and registered menopause specialist with a deep commitment to improving women’s health and wellbeing. Through her private clinic, DrShoCares, she provides personalised, holistic, menopause and women’s health care that bridges evidence-based medicine with compassion and lived experience.
She is a respected educator, speaker, and advocate for more inclusive conversations around women’s health and menopause—reflecting the diverse experiences of women across backgrounds. Dr Sho is the author of A Personal Guide to Menopause for Black Women, which aims to empower and inform women navigating hormonal change.
Connect with Dr Sho:
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