Feelgood's Coffee and Conversation: 'When we invest in women's health, everyone benefits'
The Irish Examiner's Coffee and Conversation event saw Feelgood editor Irene Feighan and Lifestyle editor Esther McCarthy share their tips, listen to women's experiences, and answer questions, alongside special guest Shalini Wiseman, a pelvic health physiotherapist.
Wiseman, who is a member of the UK's Pelvic Obstetrics and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Association and delivers pelvic health education to women, GPs, and healthcare professionals in both Ireland and India, spoke openly and informatively about women's health.
Panellists Esther McCarthy, Shalini Wiseman, and Irene Feighan pictured addressing attendees at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning in Here's Health Café, Douglas Court Shopping Centre. Picture Chani Anderson.
She spoke about the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, what to look out for and how women can take control of their sexual health.
Wiseman also acknowledged the challenges women can face when accessing healthcare.
Shalini Wiseman speaking at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning. Picture Chani Anderson.
She spoke about the importance of choosing a GP who specialises in menopause, but highlighted the high cost of private consultations as a barrier for many women.
She suggested a government subsidy for private healthcare to alleviate the burden on the health service, noting that 50% of the population will need to address menopause-related issues, making it a significant public health concern.
Shalini Wiseman speaking at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation Morning, held at Here's Health Café in Douglas Court Shopping Centre. Picture Chani Anderson.
'It's good to go to a GP who specialises in menopause. So they need to have an accreditation from the British Menopause Society,' she said.
'The problem with private healthcare is that some of us might be much more privileged than others. Not everyone has €250 to spare [for a private consultation].
Guests mingling at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning hosted at Here's Health Café. Picture Chani Anderson.
'I think if we can get a subsidy for going private, your health insurance will give you a certain amount, but if the government can give a subsidy for going private to offload it from the health service, that might be a good thing.'
Jennifer Earle, Karen Falvey, Elaine Counihan, and Saundra Walsh pictured at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning at Here's Health Café. Picture Chani Anderson.
Feelgood editor Irene Feighan spoke at the event about the National Women's Survey, which was published on June 19.
More than 1,000 women were asked about their experience of the healthcare sector, from fertility to pregnancy and childbirth, to perimenopause and menopause.
Esther McCarthy and Irene Feighan pictured on stage during the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation Morning at Here's Health Café. Picture Chani Anderson.
Among the main findings of the survey were:
The majority of women are taking responsibility for their health and actively seeking solutions to their concerns
Women are increasingly embracing science, whether it's for in vitro fertilisation (IVF), egg freezing, hormonal changes, or weight management
One in five experienced fertility issues, 80% sought advice, 52% considered fertility treatment, and one in three went on to get fertility treatment
One in four will delay having children until they reach financial goals
35% said they were not in a financial position to have a child or another child
Three in 10 would consider egg freezing
One in four women have had a miscarriage, with miscarriage supports deemed very poor
Irene Feighan speaking at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning held at Here's Health Café. Picture Chani Anderson.
The survey also found that about 80% of women experience menopausal symptoms, while 20% don't. Of those who do, approximately one-third experience severe symptoms. One in five said professionals' understanding of hormonal issues was poor, and almost the same number criticised the quality of care received.
Esther McCarthy speaking at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning at Douglas Court Shopping Centre. Picture Chani Anderson.
'Feminists were right to say biology is not destiny. But if we ignore women's biological realities — especially their health and reproductive needs — we risk failing them. When we invest in women's health, everyone benefits — families, communities, and future generations,' Feighan said.
Guests listen during the candid and open discussions at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation Morning held at Here's Health Café in Douglas Court Shopping Centre. Picture Chani Anderson.
The event wrapped with a Q&A session with Irene Feighan and Shalini Wiseman, where those in attendance had the opportunity to have their questions relating to women's health answered.
Pelvic health physiotherapist Shalini Wiseman's list of recommended products:
Shalini Wiseman's list of chartered physiotherapists in pelvic health in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford:
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Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Feelgood's Coffee and Conversation: 'When we invest in women's health, everyone benefits'
People settled into Here's Health Café at Douglas Court Shopping Centre on Thursday morning for a relaxed morning of chats, insights, and expert advice on making health and wellbeing a daily priority. The Irish Examiner's Coffee and Conversation event saw Feelgood editor Irene Feighan and Lifestyle editor Esther McCarthy share their tips, listen to women's experiences, and answer questions, alongside special guest Shalini Wiseman, a pelvic health physiotherapist. Wiseman, who is a member of the UK's Pelvic Obstetrics and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Association and delivers pelvic health education to women, GPs, and healthcare professionals in both Ireland and India, spoke openly and informatively about women's health. Panellists Esther McCarthy, Shalini Wiseman, and Irene Feighan pictured addressing attendees at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning in Here's Health Café, Douglas Court Shopping Centre. Picture Chani Anderson. She spoke about the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, what to look out for and how women can take control of their sexual health. Wiseman also acknowledged the challenges women can face when accessing healthcare. Shalini Wiseman speaking at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning. Picture Chani Anderson. She spoke about the importance of choosing a GP who specialises in menopause, but highlighted the high cost of private consultations as a barrier for many women. She suggested a government subsidy for private healthcare to alleviate the burden on the health service, noting that 50% of the population will need to address menopause-related issues, making it a significant public health concern. Shalini Wiseman speaking at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation Morning, held at Here's Health Café in Douglas Court Shopping Centre. Picture Chani Anderson. 'It's good to go to a GP who specialises in menopause. So they need to have an accreditation from the British Menopause Society,' she said. 'The problem with private healthcare is that some of us might be much more privileged than others. Not everyone has €250 to spare [for a private consultation]. Guests mingling at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning hosted at Here's Health Café. Picture Chani Anderson. 'I think if we can get a subsidy for going private, your health insurance will give you a certain amount, but if the government can give a subsidy for going private to offload it from the health service, that might be a good thing.' Jennifer Earle, Karen Falvey, Elaine Counihan, and Saundra Walsh pictured at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning at Here's Health Café. Picture Chani Anderson. Feelgood editor Irene Feighan spoke at the event about the National Women's Survey, which was published on June 19. More than 1,000 women were asked about their experience of the healthcare sector, from fertility to pregnancy and childbirth, to perimenopause and menopause. Esther McCarthy and Irene Feighan pictured on stage during the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation Morning at Here's Health Café. Picture Chani Anderson. Among the main findings of the survey were: The majority of women are taking responsibility for their health and actively seeking solutions to their concerns Women are increasingly embracing science, whether it's for in vitro fertilisation (IVF), egg freezing, hormonal changes, or weight management One in five experienced fertility issues, 80% sought advice, 52% considered fertility treatment, and one in three went on to get fertility treatment One in four will delay having children until they reach financial goals 35% said they were not in a financial position to have a child or another child Three in 10 would consider egg freezing One in four women have had a miscarriage, with miscarriage supports deemed very poor Irene Feighan speaking at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning held at Here's Health Café. Picture Chani Anderson. The survey also found that about 80% of women experience menopausal symptoms, while 20% don't. Of those who do, approximately one-third experience severe symptoms. One in five said professionals' understanding of hormonal issues was poor, and almost the same number criticised the quality of care received. Esther McCarthy speaking at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation morning at Douglas Court Shopping Centre. Picture Chani Anderson. 'Feminists were right to say biology is not destiny. But if we ignore women's biological realities — especially their health and reproductive needs — we risk failing them. When we invest in women's health, everyone benefits — families, communities, and future generations,' Feighan said. Guests listen during the candid and open discussions at the Feel Good Coffee and Conversation Morning held at Here's Health Café in Douglas Court Shopping Centre. Picture Chani Anderson. The event wrapped with a Q&A session with Irene Feighan and Shalini Wiseman, where those in attendance had the opportunity to have their questions relating to women's health answered. Pelvic health physiotherapist Shalini Wiseman's list of recommended products: Shalini Wiseman's list of chartered physiotherapists in pelvic health in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford: Read More How wellbeing festivals have grown more popular in Ireland
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
'It gives people that extra chance': Couple welcome opportunity to get second round of free IVF
A couple who previously had one unsuccessful round of the State's free IVF treatment scheme have spoken of their hope they can be included among those who can get a second round, thanks to the latest Government announcement on the scheme. On Monday, the Government announced couples who already have a child and meet all other access criteria for the publicly funded assisted human reproduction treatment will be eligible for a free treatment plan. It will include one full cycle of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Siobháin O'Reilly and her husband Dean from Co Donegal have been married for five years and have no children. They previously spoke to the Irish Examiner about their IVF journey and infertility after trying to get pregnant since they got married, but without success. 'Unfortunately, we did get pregnant, and unfortunately, we miscarried four times," said Siobháin, aged 30. 'We had a lot of tests done to get to the bottom of it. It's been very difficult at times.' The couple had their first round of IVF treatment in 2024 on the public scheme. Doctors successfully retrieved 13 eggs recently, but unfortunately only one survived. They now want to try IVF treatment for a second time, in the hope they will be successful. Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said since the publicly funded assisted human reproduction (AHR) has so far seen 2,500 couples being referred by reproductive specialist consultants here. While the O'Reilly's have not had any children, they said they would apply for the treatment as they believe they meet much of the criteria. 'We will apply for it and see how it goes' said Siobhain. 'No matter what, it is a great thing to have the second round available because it gives people that extra chance. 'We have not been successful yet, but we retrieved 13 eggs recently, one has only survived, which was such a shame. 'We are now undergoing tests for immunity to see do I need to change my medication. IVF is a big commitment, but at least there is a chance for people trying for a baby because the money is a lot. It would have cost us around €4,500 upwards, but there are also lots of extra tests too and consultant fees. 'Our journey started in January 2024, we have to do our injections every day and then travel from Buncrana to Co Kildare to the clinic in Clane. There is a lot to do. 'We are trying to manage your jobs as well. You could be booked for a Monday, but they might want to push those injections out to another day, and you have to try and juggle everything.' Siobhain said they meet the criteria in terms of being resident in Ireland, they have been referred by a consultant, and they have had a previous IVF cycle. But they have not had a successful round of IVF and have no children. 'If we are not successful receiving the funds, things might change further down the road' The last baby the couple lost was in October 2023, at seven weeks. "It was very challenging, so we had more tests done, and it revealed I only had one kidney and a unicornuate uterus," said Siobháin. The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law in July last year. A supplementary bill to deal with issues such as parentage and citizenship in surrogacy arrangements as well as donor-assisted conception is also being worked on. Speaking on Monday Ms MacNeill ad: 'We are making significant progress in relation to AHR legislation, and formal drafting of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill is nearing completion. 'One critical piece in the AHR jigsaw is the establishment of a regulatory authority. Good progress has been made in relation to the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority.'
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Irish Examiner
The Vapening: ‘In my school, I'd be in the minority for not vaping'
Though small, vapes leave a potent sweet trail behind which can be smelled in schools across the country, despite a ban on sales to children since December 2023, teenagers have told the Irish Examiner. One teen said she is a minority in her fifth-year class as a non-vaper, while another said teachers in her school have to chase vapers out of the bathrooms between classes. A third said some of his classmates started vaping as early as first year of secondary school. Some of the non-compliant vapes that were destroyed at the HSE offices in Naas, Co Kildare. Picture: Gareth Chaney Their experiences of how easy it is for school-children to still buy vapes or tobacco products comes as prosecutions under new laws ramp up led by the HSE National Environmental Health Service. The teenagers are members of the Foróige CRIB Youth & Family Support Project in Sligo. They studied the use of vapes, produced a report, and made a mock documentary, The Vapening. Ruth Bradley, 16, said: 'In my school I'd be more of a minority [for not vaping]. Honestly I don't like the smell.' They are also expensive, Ruth added. A still from 'The Vapening', a film made by teenagers who are members of the Foróige CRIB project in Sligo. You can view the film on ForoigeChannel on Youtube, or see link below. She described a school science experiment where they researched ingredients in cigarettes and e-cigarettes. 'That was an eye-opener for me,' she said. 'One ingredient in some vapes you could use for a disinfectant.' Wiktor Zuzewicz, 16, said he doesn't smoke or vape for health reasons. He said: You can't walk into a school bathroom and not have that smell — tons of people were vaping there. 'It's rare that you actually see the vapes now, people are hiding it more now.' He wants more supports for teens who want to quit, saying: 'Some of my classmates started in first year and they're still going.' Pearlgold Aideyan, 17, said vaping is more common than smoking across her age group. 'Some of my friends try to pressure me [to vape],' she said, adding: 'It's quite hard sometimes.' Disposable vapes in breach of regulations purchased in Waterford City. Picture: Joe Evans Pearlgold is already seeing people in her all-girls school cutting down because there are fewer places to buy vapes now. Girls can be suspended for vaping, she said, and since the teachers 'caught on' and check the toilets, it is becoming less common. Their mockumentary can be viewed here on the @ForoigeChannel on Youtube. They hope their satirical horror-film approach of reporting on vaping as an outbreak of an infectious disease will bring home a stop-vaping message. HSE prosecutions HSE environmental health officers monitor implementation of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023. They have successfully prosecuted 51 shops and businesses for selling vapes and tobacco products to under-18s last year. This included eight prosecutions specifically for vapes. Some shops were identified during sting operations when the HSE worked with teenage 'mystery shoppers' who tested the ban. Over the last two years, 22 prohibition orders were served for selling vapes with illegal nicotine content. Some 3,371 e-cigarettes and refill containers were removed. Last year, two businesses were successfully prosecuted in district courts and in 2022 so was an online business selling vapes from a private dwelling. Some 19 destruction orders were applied during 2022 and 2023. In 2023 they also seized 37.8 tonnes of illegal vapes or refills at ports and airports working with Customs and Revenue. Last year they seized 26.6 tonnes. HSE Assistant National Director for Environmental Health Ann Marie Part said: 'While the majority of retailers take active measures to confirm the age of someone buying tobacco or vape products, it is disappointing to see some retailers still selling to children. 'All it takes is a request for ID at the counter to ensure you are selling to someone over the legal age.' A display at the HSE offices in Naas, Co Kildare, of non-compliant vapes that are to be destroyed. Picture: Gareth Chaney The Irish Vape Vendors Association (IVVA) made submissions to Government on the age limits. Spokeswoman Joanne O'Connell said: 'IVVA shops have always been for over 18s.' Ms O'Connell, who heads up Vapourpal Ltd with shops across Munster, said this stance is easier to enforce now. 'Before the law came in we might get a bit of push-back because it wasn't the law,' she said. 'But now we just completely refuse, we don't have any problems.' She was reluctant to comment on where teenagers might get vapes, but pointed out they are sold in many sites other than dedicated shops. A former smoker who used vapes as an adult to quit, she is 'not the biggest fan' of Government plans to restrict flavours to tobacco only. 'A lot of people of all ages who use flavoured vapes don't want it to taste like tobacco, they want to get completely away from the smoking aspect of it,' she said. They have not been consulted on this legislation yet, but are open to that, she added. In medical circles, views are less positive towards vaping. Paul Kavanagh chairs the Royal College of Physicians' clinical advisory group on smoking and e-cigarettes. Can vapes help people quit smoking? Dr Kavanagh questioned the common argument that vaping is mainly a quit-smoking aid, arguing that if that were true, then higher vaping rates should mean lower tobacco use. In Ireland, tobacco use stopped declining in 2019 and since then there has been, he said 'unrestricted access' to vapes. 'So at a population level if there's an argument that having more and more people using e-cigarettes helps to reduce smoking prevalence, we have run that experiment here in Ireland,' he said. What that has led to is rapidly increasing e-cigarette use, particularly among children and young people, and at the same time we have not seen any further reduction in smoking prevalence in our population. Another common argument is that vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco. 'We know that between one and two and two and three people who smoke will die of smoking-related disease. We know that on average people who smoke lose 10 years of life,' he said. 'Smoking is a leading cause of cancer. It causes heart disease, stroke, it causes lung disease. So how could you come up with a product that would be as harmful or more harmful than that? 'So we have to stop and call out this idea that something being not as harmful as smoking is somehow a suggestion the product is safe.' He emphasised that in Ireland this week 'almost 100 people are going to die from smoking-related diseases'. Dr Kavanagh urged e-cigarette manufacturers who believe their product can safely help adults to stop smoking to submit the device for regulatory assessment. The HSE does not recommend vaping in their Quit Smoking programme. Major conference in Dublin Links between vaping and the tobacco industry were a focus at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin this week. Yolonda Richardson, the president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, was one of many Americans attending. 'We are interested in prevention,' she told the Irish Examiner. 'Nicotine is harmful to the developing brain, and so that's why we had no hesitation in moving quickly from the work where we were trying to prevent teens from smoking to preventing teens from vaping. 'We had no hesitation in moving quickly from the work where we were trying to prevent teens from smoking to preventing teens from vaping,' said Yolonda C Richardson of the US Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin. File picture 'Because there is this misconception pretty much pushed by the tobacco industry and the vaping industry that vaping is better than smoking — and that's just not true for young kids, it really does negatively impact brain development.' She urged people to see vapes as part of a marketing strategy from the tobacco industry to gain new customers. A number of global tobacco companies advertise vaping products on their websites. The scale of the challenge is clear in data supplied by her campaign. Just 34 e-cigarette products and devices including tobacco and menthol flavours are approved in the US by the FDA but they said: 'It has denied marketing applications for millions of flavored e-cigarette products.' A scene from 'The Vapening', made by teenagers who are members of the Foróige CRIB project in Sligo, showing different types of vape. Ms Richardson also welcomed the growing understanding of the health risks. The national youth tobacco survey in American showed a decline in vape use among young Americans from a high of 20% in 2019 to just 5.9% last year. Here, 20% of women aged 15-24 use e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally; the rate for men of the same age group is 16%, the Healthy Ireland survey showed. At this week's conference, health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill re-committed to Ireland's plans to further reduce tobacco and e-cigarette use. Her focus, she said, 'is on helping as many young people as possible to avoid using tobacco and any other product which delivers any nicotine'. The conference also heard discussion of diseases other than cancer linked to smoking or vaping including heart disease and stroke. The Irish Heart Foundation's senior policy manager Mark Murphy echoed these fears. He pointed to a significant study published in the European Heart Journal. This found exposure to e-cigarette vapour causes damage to the heart and blood vessels as well as the brain and lungs. 'If you're a 60-year-old man trying to quit smoking and with vaping you can cut down your smoking, that's great — but we're concerned about the next generation,' he warned. 'You're up against an industry that has endless resources and it's up to health charities and health boards — who have limited budgets — to take it on.'
