Real Women Talk Health

Bonus Episode - Flu and COVID Jabs

In this special bonus episode of Real Women Talk Health, host Sherrie Eugene-Hart and co-hosts Sue Jones and Julie Holloway sit down with Dr Dougal Darville, GP from South Bristol, and Claire Cook, NHS Access Equalities Lead for Vaccination, to explore why flu and COVID jabs are so important, especially for those most at risk.
Together, they unpack some of the most common questions and myths around vaccines, from whether the flu jab can give you flu, to how long immunity lasts and why regular top-ups are essential. Claire also shares how the NHS is taking vaccines out into communities, holding clinics in local venues to make sure no one is left behind, and explains how open conversations can help people make informed choices about their health.
Whether you’ve had your jab, are still unsure, or want to help protect loved ones, this episode offers reassuring, evidence-based advice on staying well through winter.
👉 Find out more and locate your nearest vaccination clinic at grabajab.net.

Episode 6 - Sexual Health

BCfm’s Real Women Talk Health wraps up its NHS podcast series with an episode devoted to sexual health and sexually transmitted infections. Host Sherrie Eugene-Hart with Sue Jones and Julie Holloway are joined by sexual health nurse Louise Bebbington and community engagement facilitator Tidrah Jeffers from Common Ambition Bristol. Together they explain what a full sexual health check entails, from confidential home test kits via the YUNO sexual health service to dedicated walk-in clinics for African and Caribbean heritage communities. Learn how easy it is to get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, HPV and syphilis without feeling judged or anxious.They address the stigma around STIs and HIV, explaining that people with an undetectable HIV viral load cannot pass the virus on, and highlighting how taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can prevent HIV infection. Discover why HIV is no longer a life sentence, how antibiotic resistance is driving changes in gonorrhoea treatment and why everyone – whatever your age or relationship status – should feel empowered to protect their health.Whether you’re due a routine check up at the start of a new relationship or want to support a friend, this episode will leave you with clear next steps, reassuring advice and links to local clinics, community events and online resources. Tune in now and take control of your sexual health.
 
Helpful Links
NHS - Yuno Sexual Health - https://yunosexualhealth.co.uk/
Common Ambition – Improving Sexual Health - https://commonambitionbristol.org.uk/
Brigstowe – Positive Change Together - https://www.brigstowe.org/
Brook – Sexual Health & Wellbeing - https://www.brook.org.uk/

Episode 5 - Pelvic Health

This episode of Real Women Talk Health from BCfm in partnership with NHS, where host Sherrie Eugene-Hart with Anne Marie McCormack and Julie Holloway turns the spotlight on pelvic health. She’s joined in the studio by Professor Nikki Cotterill, a leading expert in incontinence, and Caroline Escande, an experienced pelvic health physiotherapist. Together they unpack exactly what pelvic health means – from the muscles and organs that support your bladder and bowel to the wider soft-tissue and joint structures that keep you moving comfortably.
In this frank conversation you’ll hear why bladder or bowel leakage is common but not something you simply have to live with. Learn how childbirth, the menopause, chronic cough or weight changes can all trigger incontinence at any age, and why stigma too often keeps women from getting the help they need. The experts guide you through simple lifestyle shifts such as managing fluid and caffeine intake, and teach you the one essential pelvic floor exercise you can do anywhere to start reclaiming strength and confidence.
You’ll also discover practical support tools, from free NHS-approved apps and local council radar key schemes, to specialist bladder and bowel services and physiotherapy referrals. Whether you want to master your first pelvic floor squeeze or explore treatment options for pain, constipation or leakage, this episode offers honest advice and reassurance that you do not have to suffer in silence. Tune in now and join the pelvic health conversation.
 
Helpful Links
The Confidence App - https://confidenceapp.uk/ 
My Joint Health Hub – Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Service -https://myjointhealthhub.bnssg.nhs.uk/pelvic-health-physiotherapy-service/ 
NHS – Urinary Incontinence - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/ 
NHS – 10 ways to stop leaks - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/10-ways-to-stop-leaks/ 

Episode 4 - Contraception

Real Women Talk Health from BCfm in partnership with NHS turns the spotlight on contraception. Host Sherrie Eugene-Hart with Beverly Douglas and Julie Holloway welcomes Dr Lucinda Farmer, a specialist contraception and sexual health doctor, alongside nurse practitioner Louise Bebbington, who have spent years helping women find the best fit. Together they kick off by defining contraception and why it matters for a healthy, enjoyable sex life without the fear of unplanned pregnancy.
In the studio you’ll explore every option on the table, from barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms to hormonal tablets, implants in the arm and coils inside the womb. Discover the difference between user dependent methods that rely on daily action and user independent methods you fit and forget, alongside the pros and cons of natural tracking apps. They unpack reliability, common side effects such as changes to bleeding or appetite, and bust the biggest myths about hormones, future fertility and weight gain.
Whether you’re choosing your first method, seeking an alternative or supporting a partner, this episode arms you with clear advice, top online tools like Contraception Choices and Brook, plus how to find your local clinic. Tune in for honest stories, expert tips and real talk on shared responsibility – because contraception is everyone’s business.
 
Helpful Links
NHS – Contraception - https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/ 
Contraception Choices - https://www.contraceptionchoices.org/ 
Brook – Contraception - https://www.brook.org.uk/topics/contraception/ 
The Lowdown – Missed Pill Calculator - https://thelowdown.com/missed-pill 

Episode 3 - Cervical Screening

Real Women Talk Health from BCfm in partnership with NHS returns to explore cervical screening. Host Sherrie Eugene-Hart with Anne Marie McCormack and Jane York are joined in the studio by Dr Glenda Beard, local GP, and Huda Hajinur from local support organisation Caafi Health. Together they explain why cervical screening matters, how (HPV) human papillomavirus is linked to cervical cancer, and why everyone aged 25 to 64 with a cervix is invited by the NHS to come forward free of charge.
You’ll find out exactly what happens at a test, how to prepare yourself, and what to expect when you get your results. Hear honest stories from women who share their first time nerves, the myths they have dispelled, and the relief they felt once it was over. The discussion also covers common barriers such as embarrassment, cultural concerns and past trauma, with practical tips on how to find the right support person or advocate at your clinic.
Whether you are due your first screening or have not been for a few years, this episode will leave you feeling informed and ready to take charge of your health. Tune in for clear advice, emotional support and signposts to NHS resources, local clinics and national charities. Join us and help break the silence around cervical screening.
 
Helpful Links
Well Aware - Cervical Screening - https://www.wellaware.org.uk/cervical-screening/ 
Sirona Health CIC - HPV - https://imms.sirona-cic.org.uk/hpv/2024/book 
Caafi Health - https://www.caafihealth.org.uk/ 
Eve Appeal - Facts & Tips for Cervical Screening - https://eveappeal.org.uk/information-and-advice/preventing-cancer/facts-and-tips-for-cervical-screening/ 

Episode 2 - Periods

Real Women Talk Health returns to the BCfm studios to explore menstrual health in all its complexity. Host Sherrie Eugene-Hart with Karen Woods and Sue Jones is joined by Dr Rae Mundane, a sexual and reproductive health doctor working across our local clinics, and Nic Goldhawk from the Grace Period Project, the not-for-profit team tackling period poverty and stigma. Together they set the scene for a candid conversation about periods, from that first bleed through the monthly cycle and beyond.
They begin by answering the most common question – ‘am I normal?’ – as they explain average age of onset and typical cycle length, then turn to the practical side of managing pain, heaviness and mood swings. Learn how simple tools such as tracking your cycle in a diary or app, gentle exercise and dietary tweaks can help, and when it might be right to try medical options like contraception or pain relief. Discover key conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids, get clarity on natural remedies versus prescribed treatments, and hear Nic describe how the Grace Period Project distributes care bags full of period products and wellbeing treats to communities in need, opening up vital conversations and ensuring nobody has to choose between food and pads.
Whether you are just about to start your periods, supporting a friend, parent or child, or simply want to brush up on menstrual health literacy, this episode offers a warm, friendly space to learn, share and feel supported. Tune in now to join our real women conversation, uncover practical tips and resources, and help break the silence around a vital part of our lives.
Helpful Links
NHS – Periods - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/ 
The Grace Period Project - https://www.thegraceperiodproject.co.uk/ 
Office on Women’s Health - Menstrual Cycle - https://womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle 
The Royal Women’s Hospital - Healthy Periods - https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/periods/healthy-periods 
 

Episode 1 - Menopause

Dive into the first episode of BCfm's Real Women Talk Health where we tackle one of life’s biggest transitions, menopause. Join our host Sherrie Eugene-Hart with Sue Jones & Julie Holloway in the studio as they are joined by two local expert guests, menopause specialist Dr Katherine Kearley-Shiers and GP Dr Katharine Richardson, to demystify perimenopause, menopause and beyond. Together they break down the biology behind your “last natural period,” explore the rollercoaster of symptoms from hot flushes and night sweats to brain fog and mood swings, and explain how HRT really works and when it might or might not be right for you.
But it is not all science. You will hear candid stories from women who have navigated hormonal upheavals, from surprise memory lapses like “where did I park” to shifts in libido and sleep disruption. We talk cultural taboos, the power of sharing your journey with family, and why no woman should suffer in silence. Plus find out where to turn for support, including online resources, local GP clinics and community groups that empower you to take control of your health. 
Whether you are just starting to notice changes, in the thick of symptoms, or supporting a friend or family member, this episode is your inclusive, no judgment guide to understanding menopause while finding hope, humour and practical solutions along the way. Tune in now and join the conversation!
Helpful Links
NHS - Menopause - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/ 
Menopause Matters - https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/ 
Women's Health Concern - Menopause Wellness Hub - https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/menopause-wellness-hub/ 
Rock My Menopause - https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/