12th September | Menopause Members Panel Discussion

Dates and times: Thursday 12th September | 6pm – 8pm

Location: 25 Nicolson Sq. Edinburgh, EH8 9BX

Need help finding us? Directions below

Accessibility: Our venue is wheelchair accessible

Navigating perimenopause with knowledge and grace – Hormonal insights, workplace support and nutrition

Panel event with Dana Drzikova, Dr April Blake and Dr Laura Wyness

 

Summary:

Join us for an informative and empowering panel event on perimenopause. Our three experts will provide you with a clear definition of menopause, common symptoms and practical ways to support yourself during this transition, including what a menopause-friendly workplace looks like.

The function of key hormones related to menopause will be discussed along with how they affect the body. Learn more about the pros and cons of HRT as well as natural therapies and alternatives to HRT.

Additionally, hear about the importance of eating well to help alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings and sleep issues. Learn about nutrition science and get practical food advice to help your body and brain function better, ensuring a smoother menopause transition.

Takeaways:

This event will provide you with a deeper understanding of menopause and hormones, knowledge of the treatments and natural therapies available, and how your diet and eating pattern can help you feel better and support your health.  Leave feeling more empowered to navigate this stage of life with grace.

Dana Drzikova, MSc

Dana is Certified Menopause Support Coach and Menopause Workplace Trainer licenced by Henpicked. She holds MSc in Chemistry from Slovak Technical University and has 20 years of experience in developing health and beauty products. Her experience of perimenopause deeply impacted her career, and she started her own company Purple Light Midlife Ltd in September last year.

She is helping to educate as many people as possible about menopause and menstrual health so they are prepared and can support themselves and others. One of the most impactful ways to do this is through the workplace providing support to all colleagues and leaders managing women. As part of the Menopause Workplace Training Network Dana delivers tried and tested, award winning CPD training to SME’s, schools and charities.

She empowers amazing women like you via a tailored 121 coaching program, in a safe and compassionate space to explore your personal journey to wellbeing by combining the best of both scientific and holistic methods to address healing on all levels (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) and make your menopause a positive experience and an opportunity to start something new. She is Access Bars practitioner, member of Association of Professional Coaches and member of MHFA (Mental Health First Aider England).

Dr April Blake 

Dr Blake is an experienced integrative doctor who offers leading expertise to those who are experiencing chronic, complex conditions, mental health conditions and hormonal imbalances.

Dr Blake is the owner of both Solstice Wellness Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland and Solstice Naturopathic Medicine in San Rafael, California. She has pioneered the first Naturopathic Medicine Clinic in Scotland, offering Naturopathic consultations, Infrared sauna and PEMF mat therapies. She seeks to truly understand every person that enters her practice in order to develop an individual approach to address the physical and emotional needs of each client in order for them to experience a full restoration of health.

Dr Blake earned her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and Midwifery from Bastyr University in 2007, one of the world’s top academic institutions for education, research and clinical service in the natural health sciences. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, International Studies and Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the California Naturopathic Doctor Association and the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners in the UK.  

Dr Blake trained with Julia Ross, psychotherapist, to receive her certificate in NeuroNutrient Therapy in 2015, in order to provide targeted therapies for adolescents and adults for the treatment of anxiety, depression, eating disorders and addictions.

She has also received her Certification in the Metabolic Approach to Cancer Master Course with Dr Nasha Winters, joining a global network of health care providers who provide a highly individualized terrain based treatment approach to cancer.

Dr Blake was one of the first Naturopathic doctors working at One Medical Group in San Francisco, California, where she worked alongside conventionally trained doctors; taught health care providers about natural therapies; and provided primary care, mental health, and chronic condition care health services for 10 years.

Now head of her own practices in San Rafael, CA and Edinburgh, Scotland she continues to work with each patient to create a plan that draws from a variety of modalities including prescription medications, amino acid therapies, botanical medicine, nutrient therapies, infrared sauna, PEMF mat therapy and lifestyle Counselling. 

Dr Laura Wyness

Laura specialises in helping women make positive dietary changes, specifically around midlife and menopause.  She has recently co-authored a book, Eating Well for Menopause that shares the science of nutrition along with practical food advice and some tasty, nutritionally tailored recipes.  She has also developed online courses on the same topic. 

Laura provides individual nutrition consultations, workplace wellness talks on nutrition and delivers training on nutrition and menopause to fellow health professionals. With almost 20 years’ experience working as a Registered Nutritionist, Laura loves communicating the science into practical advice to help women have a smoother menopause transition.