In this opening pre-recorded session from The Mother of All Menopause Summits, James sits down with Yorkshire GP and NHS menopause-clinic doctor Dr Emily Muirhead for the kind of conversation many women say they wish they’d had years earlier.

Together, they unpack what’s really happening during perimenopause and menopause — why symptoms can feel chaotic and unpredictable, and why so many women are left doubting themselves when blood tests come back “normal”. Emily explains, in plain English, why menopause is usually diagnosed through symptoms and history, not a single hormone number.

They move into HRT without the drama or dogma. Emily is clear about why oestrogen isn’t the whole story, why progesterone matters if you still have a womb, and how real-world treatment decisions are actually made — from patches and gels to the Mirena coil. James also asks the question many women are quietly wondering about: testosterone. Emily gives a refreshingly honest take on when it can help, when it won’t, and why it’s never the magic fix it’s often made out to be.

The session finishes where it should — with reassurance. Menopause isn’t an illness, but it can hit at the most demanding stage of life. Emily shares simple, sensible first steps women can take right now, and explains how to find the right kind of medical support if and when you need it.

If you want clarity, not clichés, this conversation sets the tone for the whole summit.