OK. Menopause, a personal thread. I’ve been researching menopause since 2015, and running my own HIV/menopause service since 2016. I lead workshops on it, give talks, write about it, develop guidelines. Basically, #menopause is my thing. Now it’s happening to ME. 1/X I got COVID in Jan, recovered quickly, but then didn’t feel myself for months. Exhausted, brain fog, palpitations, panic attacks, night sweats. Definitely long COVID. Or working mum with 2 toddlers. I asked to be referred to a Long COVID clinic and my GP got some bloods done 2/X

Dear @bmj_latest @KamranAbbasi - please rethink this editorial on over medicalisation. Menopause is a poor example. All menopause specialists would agree that menopause is a natural event (for most, not ALL women) shaped by cultural and social event 1/x It is also a physiological process with hormone fluctuations that result in 4 out of 5 women having hot flushes (25% so severe that it impacts their daily lives). Over 75% will develop vaginal dryness and pain, often life long. The risk of CVD & osteoporosis goes up 2/x

Fantastic women’s group Q&A at @Positively_UK tonight with lots of really important questions - so good that I’ll answer again here 1/x Can I pass HIV on if I have a blip? If you have a one-off viral load <200 & are taking your HIV meds then you still won’t pass HIV on during sex. The cut off in #UequalsU studies was <200. But your clinic will want to check your viral load again to make sure it’s not going up 2/x