Helen the Menopause Pharmacist

12/08/2026

What if the pharmacist you see in your GP practice could also help shape the future of women’s healthcare? 💊✨

Tomorrow, I’m starting a new chapter alongside my clinical work: I’m joining Robert Gordon University School of Pharmacy as a Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy, with a particular focus on women’s health.

But I’m not stepping away from the patients who inspired this work in the first place - don't worry you can still find me at the GP surgery, talking at lots of public events and available for private appointments.

I’m still seeing patients, still having those conversations that matter, still navigating the complexities of clinical care — and still learning from the women I have the privilege of caring for.

Because if there’s one thing working in women’s health has taught me, it’s that there is still so much more we can do.

Women deserve healthcare where they feel listened to.

Where their symptoms are taken seriously.

Where they can ask the questions they might otherwise feel embarrassed to ask.

And where healthcare professionals feel confident enough to have those conversations.

That’s why I’m so excited about this new role.

To help future pharmacists understand that good clinical care isn't just about knowing the guidelines.

It’s about listening.

Asking the right questions.

Recognising when something doesn't feel right.

Understanding the person behind the symptoms.

And making sure women feel comfortable, believed and supported when they seek healthcare.

The thing I love most about this new role is that I don't have to choose between education and clinical practice.

I GET TO DO BOTH!

I can bring what I learn from patients into the classroom, and hopefully bring what I learn from the next generation back into practice.

So tomorrow isn't the end of one chapter.

It's the beginning of another — one that I hope allows me to make a difference both to the patients I care for today and to the pharmacists who will care for patients tomorrow.

Feeling very excited (and slightly nervous!) for what's ahead. 🥹

Any advice for my first day?💊✨

10/08/2026

NEXT SATURDAY - reserve your FREE space today 💛 sign up link in the comments

Women’s health deserves more than a quick Google search. It deserves real conversations.

Some topics are easier to talk about when you’re in a room with women who understand. A room where you can ask questions, learn from experts, hear other women’s experiences, and leave feeling more informed than when you arrived.

Join us for Pillow Talk, an afternoon dedicated to open conversations, practical health information, and connection.

Here’s what to expect:
💜 Menopause talks
❤️ Chest, heart & stroke health talk
🩺 Free blood pressure checks
💃 A fun Soulsa Dance session

22 August 2026
12:00 PM . 3:00 PM
Glover Pavilion, Campus 3, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen

Bring a friend, register through the link in our bio, and spend the afternoon investing in your health and wellbeing.

05/08/2026

So excited to be part of this! Sign up now and I'll see you there 👋

04/08/2026

Is your body playing by a whole new set of rules?!

Let's have a proper chat! Book a 30-minute private menopause consultation where we can talk about everything—hot flushes, sleep, mood, brain fog, HRT, supplements, "Why am I crying at adverts?"... all of it.

No one-size-fits-all advice here. You'll leave with a tailored plan that's right for you and because it's over the phone there's no need to even leave your comfy sofa ☺️

Because Googling at 2am isn't really a healthcare strategy.

Helen – The Menopause Pharmacist 💜

📩 Click the link to book your consultation or DM me

https://calendly.com/helencgoldie/bookings

03/08/2026

One of the biggest supplement myths?
That magnesium is just magnesium.
It isn't.

As a pharmacist, magnesium is one of the supplements I'm asked about most.

Many women ask if it can help with sleep, muscle aches, anxiety or constipation during menopause. But before I ever recommend a magnesium supplement, I always ask one question...

What are you hoping it will help with?
Because not all magnesium supplements are the same.

Here are 5 things I always consider 👇

1️⃣ Start with your goal
During menopause, magnesium is often talked about for:
😴 Poor sleep
💩 Constipation
💪 Muscle function
❤️ General wellbeing
The right choice depends on why you're taking it—and sometimes a supplement may not be needed at all.

2️⃣ The type really matters
Different forms of magnesium are absorbed differently and have different uses.
✔️ Magnesium bisglycinate – often chosen by women looking to support relaxation and better sleep because it's gentle on the stomach.

✔️ Magnesium citrate – commonly used if constipation has become an issue, which many women notice around menopause.

⚠️ Magnesium oxide – found in many cheaper supplements. It's less well absorbed and more likely to cause digestive side effects, yet it's still commonly used because it's inexpensive.

3️⃣ Don't be fooled by the dose
A higher dose doesn't automatically mean it's a better supplement. If a poorly absorbed form like magnesium oxide is used, manufacturers often include more of it—but that doesn't mean your body can use more of it. It may simply increase the chance of tummy upset.

4️⃣ Timing can help
If you're taking magnesium bisglycinate to support sleep, many women find taking it in the evening works best.
If you're taking magnesium citrate for constipation...make sure you're somewhere with easy access to a toilet! 💩

5️⃣ Check for medicine interactions
Many women in midlife are taking prescription medicines alongside supplements.
Magnesium can reduce the absorption of medicines including levothyroxine, some antibiotics and osteoporosis medicines.
Often it's simply a case of spacing doses apart, but if you're unsure, ask your pharmacist.

Save this post for the next time you're standing in the supplement aisle wondering which magnesium to choose, and share it with a friend who's navigating menopause too. 💛

01/08/2026

Low Iron During Perimenopause & Menopause – What You Need to Know 🩸

Feeling exhausted, breathless, dizzy or struggling with brain fog? It might not just be your hormones...

Low iron is surprisingly common during perimenopause, particularly if you're experiencing heavy or prolonged periods. Iron is essential for making haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around your body. When your iron stores are low, it can leave you feeling drained.

Common symptoms of low iron include:
🩸 Fatigue and lack of energy
🩸 Shortness of breath
🩸 Dizziness
🩸 Headaches
🩸 Restless legs
🩸 Poor concentration or brain fog
🩸 Hair shedding
🩸 Pale skin

Because these symptoms overlap with menopause, low iron can sometimes be missed. If you're experiencing heavy periods or persistent symptoms, speak to your healthcare professional about having your iron levels checked.

A quick note about ferritin...

Ferritin is the blood test that measures your body's iron stores. You can have a normal haemoglobin but a low ferritin, meaning your iron stores are running low before you develop iron deficiency anaemia. That's why it's important to look at the whole picture, especially if you have symptoms.

Taking an iron supplement? Here's how to maximise absorption:

✅ Take it on an empty stomach if you can tolerate it.
✅ Take it with a source of vitamin C, such as a small glass of orange juice or a vitamin C-rich drink, to help increase absorption.
✅ If it upsets your stomach, it's absolutely fine to take it with a small amount of food—some iron is better than none.
✅ Many people absorb iron just as well (or even better) taking it every other day rather than every day. This may also reduce side effects such as constipation, nausea and stomach discomfort. Always follow the advice of your healthcare professional.

Avoid taking iron at the same time as:
❌ Tea or coffee (wait at least 1–2 hours)
❌ Milk and other dairy products
❌ Calcium supplements or calcium-containing multivitamins
❌ Antacids or indigestion remedies

Iron can also interact with some medicines. Leave at least 2–4 hours between iron and:
💊 Levothyroxine
💊 Bisphosphonates (e.g. alendronic acid)
💊 Some antibiotics, including doxycycline, tetracyclines and ciprofloxacin

If you're unsure whether your medicines interact with iron, ask your pharmacist.

Remember, don't start taking iron just because you're tired. Too much iron can be harmful, and fatigue has many possible causes. It's important to confirm whether you have iron deficiency and, importantly, identify the underlying cause.

Have you had your ferritin checked during perimenopause? Share your experience below. 👇

31/07/2026

🚨 Confession time... 🚨

The number of times I've started a consultation only to be greeted with...

"Oh... I thought I was seeing the doctor." 😬

Honestly? I've had enough disappointed faces over the years to develop a pretty thick skin. 😂

I get it though. I wear a stethoscope. I prescribe. I assess symptoms. I examine patients. I have a clinic room. I work in a GP practice.

I do look suspiciously doctor-ish.

The best bit? Not one patient has left wishing they'd waited for the GP.

In fact, one lovely patient finished our consultation by asking...

"So... why didn't you become a doctor?" 🤦🏼‍♀️

Because I wanted to become a pharmacist!

And not just any pharmacist—a pharmacist who gets to combine my love of medicines with helping women navigate everything from PMS and contraception to perimenopause, menopause and beyond. 💜

Being a pharmacist isn't about being a doctor-lite. We're a completely different profession with our own superpowers.

Yes, we're medicine experts (that's a given 😉), but we're also detectives, problem-solvers, critical thinkers and professional risk assessors. We love the details, ask a million questions, spot patterns others might miss and always try to find the safest, most effective solution that's right for you.

As prescribers, our role has changed massively too. We don't just advise —we assess, diagnose, prescribe and manage ongoing care, while helping shape better, safer healthcare behind the scenes.

So if you book an appointment expecting a doctor and get me instead... don't panic! 😅

You might just discover that a pharmacist was exactly the right person to help.

Here's to recognising that the best care comes from seeing the RIGHT clinician 💜

30/07/2026

Sandrena vs Oestrogel – What's the Difference? 🤔

I get asked this a lot: "Is Sandrena or Oestrogel better?"

The truth is, they both contain the same hormone – estradiol. The main differences are how they're packaged, how much estradiol they deliver, and how you use them.

Sandrena comes in single-use sachets, with each sachet containing a fixed dose of estradiol.

Oestrogel comes in a pump dispenser, allowing you to measure your prescribed dose by the number of pumps.

Although both are transdermal gels (meaning they're absorbed through the skin), they're not the same strength and the doses aren't directly interchangeable. If you're switching from one to the other, your healthcare professional will prescribe the appropriate equivalent dose.

Some people also find they prefer one over the other because of differences in:

✨ How quickly the gel dries
✨ The amount of gel applied
✨ Ease of use and convenience
✨ Personal preference

It's also worth knowing that everyone absorbs transdermal oestrogen slightly differently. If your symptoms aren't improving on one gel, it doesn't necessarily mean you need a higher dose. Sometimes, changing to a different brand can make a real difference because your skin may absorb one formulation better than another.

Neither is "better" than the other—it often comes down to which works best for you and your symptoms.

If you've been prescribed either Sandrena or Oestrogel, make sure you use it exactly as directed and don't switch between products without discussing it with your prescriber.

Have you tried Sandrena, Oestrogel, or both? Let me know which you prefer in the comments. 👇

29/07/2026

🎉 A really positive day for women living with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

The MHRA, last week, extended the licence for elinzanetant (Lynkuet®) - a NON-HORMONAL treatment option- to treat moderate to severe hot flushes and night sweats in women receiving endocrine therapy for breast cancer.

📢 This is the first medicine licensed specifically for this indication.

For many women taking tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, menopausal symptoms can be debilitating and treatment options have been limited—especially when hormone therapy isn't suitable.

The Phase 3 OASIS-4 trial showed significant improvements in the frequency and severity of hot flushes and night sweats, offering hope for better symptom control and helping more women stay on the treatment that reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

📌 It's important to remember that treatment decisions should always be individualised with your specialist. Elinzanetant has not yet been assessed by NICE and is not currently available on the NHS.

This is exactly why research in breast cancer survivors matters. Evidence-based progress like this is a HUGE step forward for women's health.

Are you as excited as I am about this? Tell me in the comments 💛

27/07/2026

Micronised progesterone is a body-identical progesterone commonly prescribed as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Here are five important facts:

✔️ 1. It protects the endometrium.
When systemic oestrogen is prescribed for women with a uterus, progesterone is required to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.

✔️ 2. It is body-identical.
Micronised progesterone has the same molecular structure as the progesterone produced by the ovaries, unlike synthetic progestogens.

✔️ 3. It is usually taken at bedtime.
Micronised progesterone can cause drowsiness, so evening administration is recommended and may be beneficial for some women who experience sleep disturbance.

✔️ 4. It can be prescribed in sequential or continuous regimens.
The dosing schedule depends on menopausal status, whether the woman is still having periods, and the HRT regimen being used.

✔️ 5. It has a favourable metabolic profile.
Current evidence suggests micronised progesterone has a neutral effect on blood pressure, lipids and glucose metabolism compared with some synthetic progestogens, although treatment should always be individualised.

As always, the choice of HRT should be based on an individual's symptoms, medical history, risk factors and personal preferences.

Are you on micronised progesterone? Drop me a comment below 👇