Hey ladies,

Would you be interested in AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions focused on women’s health in Ireland? Is there a person, organisation or topic you’d love to learn more about?

We’re looking to set up some engaging AMAs and would love your suggestions. If there’s someone you’d like to hear from or ask questions to, drop their name or details below and we’ll do our best to reach out.

If you work in a profession related to women’s health in Ireland and would be open to answering questions from the community, we’d love to hear from you too, feel free to comment or send us a message via modmail.

Just a reminder: if a medical professional takes part, they won’t be able to give personal medical advice. General information, guidance, and insight into their field is welcome but for individual health concerns, always speak to your own doctor.

Any questions about how AMAs work? Just ask!

  • I guess I'd like to hear from maybe a GP on what we "should"/could be doing to stay on top of our health and at different ages?

    For example my AMA question would be - I know about cervical and breast checks, but at what age/symptom/frequency should we be looking at other things like thyroid, cholesterol, moles, bone density etc? I feel like with the GP system under so much pressure with ordinary appointments, it can be closed or even hostile to preventative appointments and women can be prone to dismissing their own niggly concerns for fear of wasting time.

    parent

    We can definitely look into this to see is there any GP specialising in women’s health who would be interested.

    Thanks for the suggestion, very much appreciated 💕

    parent root

  • I’d definitely be interested in AMAs focused on women’s health in Ireland thank you for setting this up!

    Here are a few areas and professionals I’d love to see featured:

    • Dietitian/Nutritionist - Particularly someone who can speak to women’s nutritional needs across different life stages (e.g. menstruation, fertility, menopause, bone health).
    • Healthy Ageing/Preparing to Age -Practical advice on how to maintain mobility, mental sharpness and overall health as we get older. Could include experts in gerontology or preventative health or OT or PT.
    • Physiotherapist - Especially one who specialises in pelvic floor health, post-partum care or musculoskeletal issues common in women.
    • Exercise Specialist or Women's Health PT - Guidance on training optimally for health or safely through different phases like menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and menopause.
    • Hormone Health Expert - To help demystify things like perimenopause, PCOS, thyroid function and hormone replacement therapy.
    • Dermatologist or Skin Therapist - Especially for common concerns like adult acne, hormonal skin changes and ageing-related skin care.
    • Informal/Family Carer Support - (Specialist interest here for me) but someone who can share advice for those caring for ageing parents or relatives with chronic illness or children with additional needs navigating services, managing burnout, etc. Women make up a high proportion of Family Carers and often the expectation is that women fulfil these roles. The amount of misinformation or misunderstanding I see around rights and entitlements on reddit makes me a little sad :(
    • Mental Health Professional - Focusing on the intersection of hormonal shifts, stress, body image, anxiety and women’s mental health.
    • Sexual Health Professional - For open, non-judgmental discussion around libido, pain during sex, STIs, contraception and more.
    • Women’s Health Advocate or Policy Expert - Someone who can talk about current issues in Irish women’s healthcare access, waiting lists and what’s being done to improve things.
    parent

    Now this is an bloody brilliant list. Jesus thank you very much it really covers areas that we haven’t thought about and now my head is buzzing with ideas!!! You absolute legend! 💕

    parent root

    No worries! You would probably get experts from charity groups who are interested in getting their services/supports/advice out there! I work in the sector and see a lot of good work going on :)

    Ones that come to mind (or came up when I extended my search online... so I don't automatically endorse all below lol) which may be worth reaching out to include:

    - Alzheimer's Society (Not just specific to Alzheimer's but all types of dementia. Should be able to provide preventative information as well as relevant supports)

    - Irish Hospice Foundation (Some really good insights into all types of grief)

    - Irish Heart Foundation (Some really good info on living a heart healthy life)

    - Irish Cancer Society (Should be able to provide preventative information as well as relevant supports/services available)

    - Family Carers Ireland (Should be able to provide information on rights/entitlements as well as relevant supports/services available)

    - SHINE- (Support, Advocacy & Education for Mental Illness)

    - BodyWhys (National voluntary organisation supporting people affected by eating disorders)

    - Féileacáin (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support)

    - Irish Family Planning Association (Offers sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including early medical abortion and post-abortion counselling)

    parent root

    Adding those to the list thank you so much

    parent root

    You are brilliant! Your suggestions are truly appreciated.

    parent root

  • Health and fitness, and menopause without HRT

    parent

    For health and fitness would you like to hear from a dietician? That’s a good one for menopause

    parent root

  • Gynos as in the opposite of fertility options.

    parent

    Regular gynae’s are a great shout

    parent root

    I just want someone who will take it out. Lol 😆

    parent root

    If you find someone that'll do it, for the love of god let me know!

    parent root

  • Endometriosis, any advances I treatment. Long term treatment plans. Anything that can slow down progression whether that be natural remedies or medication

    parent

    Yes I’m going to really try push to get someone to talk about endometriosis. It’s the most talked about topic on here.

    parent root

  • Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries from childbirth and how to manage life afterwards.

    AIMS Ireland is a non-profit maternity rights advocacy charity

    parent

    brilliant suggestions thank you!

    parent root

  • All of the screenings!

    I've heard from an ultrasound technician that regular abdominal ultrasounds can detect a ton of issues early and give a better chance at recovery and survival of serious health issues. Ultrasound checks are non-invasive and relatively easy on the system.

    And there are a ton more early screenings we could do to prevent issues/detect issues in the early stages.

    But when I ask my GP about screenings, the answer I get is that my bloods were recent enough and show no problem, so I shouldn't be concerned.

    How can we responsibly care for our health without screenings?

    parent

  • Also. Pelvic health in the years after childbirth. I've heard "do your kegels" a million times - but I also know surprisingly many women who swear they did all their kegels and now can't sneeze in public.

    parent

  • Yes I would be interested

    parent

    That’s great, thank you for your support 💕 Is there any topic, organisation or even a particular person that you would be interested in hearing from?

    parent root

  • I’d like to hear from a professional why they’re so useless and the women of Ireland are so uncared for.

    parent

    Look I get it, I’m going through hell with my health and have been gaslighted to pieces but If we do get a professional on we have to ask that everyone respects them. You can ask this question in a respectful way.

    Do you have any specific organisation, profession, clinic or person in mind?

    parent root

    I understand completely. Im pondering it because it would be nice to see from a GP to a gynecologist and I think it’s interesting the endocrinology side too. I think it would be very beneficial for someone who works with / trained in menopause and perimenopause I don’t think we talk enough about those aspects!

    parent root

    GP and gynae are on my list. Endocrinologist would be great to for various reasons including pcos

    parent root

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    parent root

    I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve been really fortunate with my cardiologist here in Dublin, he’s private but I can dm you his name?

    parent root

  • This is a brilliant initiative!. I'm interested, especially for women from underrepresented communities. .

    parent

    We’re delighted to have so many people who are interested!! Is there a particular person, organisation, clinic etc. you’d like to hear from?

    parent root

    Would love to hear from the Irish Heart Foundation. and the Menopause Consultant.Thanks

    parent root

  • Anything about PMDD in Ireland. How to get a diagnosis with a doctor, how do they know how to differentiate it from other things, e.g. allegedly there's an overlap of women with ADHD having PMDD and increased similar symptoms. Is this true, is it something to look out for? What about all the TikTok videos talking about antihistamines treating it, I presume that's all nonsense?

    I had all the symptoms for PMDD. Without saying the letters themselves my new doctor described exactly the same thing and prescribed SSRIs as treatment for it. It's like I'm a different person now, and don't get this crazy 2.5 week dip in my emotions and personality during my luteal phase to menstruation. So safe to say I do have it. However, I'd like to know what are the treatment standards, options, etc.

    parent

  • I hope it is not too late to reply! I'd love to see an AMA on breast cancer treatment in Ireland. I am a new lurker on the specific reddit for breast cancer but it is very USA focused.

    parent

  • I'd be interested

    parent

    That’s great, thank you for your support 💕 Is there any topic, organisation or even a particular person that you would be interested in hearing from?

    parent root

    Maybe a Reproductive Immunologist (think there's only 2 in ROI) but it's something that's completely overlooked in fertility, and it's saving 000's of women's pregnancies.

    parent root

    Wow sounds interesting we will certainly look into it, I can’t promise anything but we will do our best

    parent root

  • I'd love to join if ever. Would like hear discussions about infertility.

    parent

    On this topic, it should be highlighted that ivf care in Ireland is subpar, there’s currently no legislation or proper oversight for ART in Ireland which really needs to be addressed.

    parent root

    Is there a particular fertility clinic you’d like to hear from? We can’t promise anything but we will try our best to get the most popular one on board

    parent root

    I can relate about infertility as I'm going through IVF and possible unsuccessful cyle. Also, accessing workup/tests that needs to be done would be a good start.

    parent root

    I’ll chat with the mod team, having someone personal experience could be a good start.

    parent root

  • If you’re still looking for suggestions I would love to get advice from professionals about sexual health, IUDs & support/reasons for painful intercourse after IUD replacement??

    parent