In this episode of Real Talk by The Women’s Health Club, hosts Abi Owers, Co-Founder of The Women’s Health Club, and Dr Mahshid Amiry, Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist, are joined by Professor Vaibhav Modgil, one of the UK’s leading authorities in male sexual and reproductive health.

Men’s health is still an area many people find difficult to talk about openly. Yet issues such as erectile dysfunction, penile curvature and sexual health concerns affect millions of men and can sometimes be an early signal of wider health problems.

In this honest and evidence-based conversation, Abi and Dr Amiry sit down with Professor Modgil to unpack some of the topics men are often too embarrassed to raise with their doctors.

Together they discuss:

• Why erectile dysfunction is far more common than people realise • The surprising link between erectile dysfunction and heart health • Why ED can sometimes be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease • Peyronie’s disease – what it is, why it happens and when to seek help • Modern treatment options available for penile curvature • How penile implants work and how they can transform quality of life for men with severe erectile dysfunction • Why earlier conversations about men’s health could lead to better long-term outcomes

Professor Modgil is part of the highest-volume andrology team in the North of England, specialising in advanced diagnosis and surgical treatment for complex male urological and andrological conditions, including erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease and other reconstructive urological conditions.

Alongside his clinical work, he is Editor in Chief of Trends in Urology and Men’s Health and an Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of Manchester, contributing internationally to research, teaching and surgical training in andrology and reconstructive urology.

This episode aims to break down stigma around men’s sexual health and encourage more open conversations between men, their partners and healthcare professionals.

Because understanding men’s health is not just important for men. It matters for relationships, families and long-term wellbeing too.

This episode of Real Talk by The Women’s Health Club is sponsored by HCA Healthcare UK.

About HCA Healthcare: When your health matters, so does your hospital. At HCA Healthcare UK's renowned family of private hospitals, you can be seen in as little as 24 hours by leading specialists from orthopaedics to women's health, with fully personalised treatment built around you and same-day tests and scans.

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About the guest

Professor Vaibhav Modgil is a world-renowned expert in male sexual and reproductive health based in Manchester. He graduated from the University of Southampton before completing higher surgical training in Birmingham and Manchester, followed by specialist fellowships in andrology in Australia and London, and advanced erectile dysfunction surgery training in Miami.

He currently serves as:

• Honorary Clinical Professor – University of Manchester • Editor in Chief – Trends in Urology and Men’s Health • Vice Chair – British Association of Urological Surgeons (AGUS) • Digital Strategy Lead – British Association of Urological Surgeons • Scientific Committee Member – The Urology Foundation

Professor Modgil regularly lectures internationally and has trained surgeons across the UK, Europe, Australasia and the United States.

Welcome to Real Talk, the podcast from the Women’s Health Club, hosted by Abi Owers and by Dr Amiry.

Abi Owers is Co-Founder of The Women’s Health Club and an advocate and activator for women’s health, dedicated to inspiring women to live healthier and happier lives. She is joined by Dr Mahshid Amiry, Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist with a specialist interest in menstrual irregularities, hysteroscopy, hormonal health, adenomyosis, fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, menopause & HRT. She is passionate about women’s health and committed to improving women’s wellbeing.

In this first episode, Abi and Dr Amiry are joined by entrepreneur Tanya Bardsley for a raw, honest and deeply human conversation about women’s health and the realities many women face behind closed doors.

Tanya shares her journey through adenomyosis and fibroids, years of debilitating period pain, feeling dismissed by the healthcare system, and the impact this had on her mental health, identity and relationships. She speaks openly about breakdown, late ADHD diagnosis, sobriety, perimenopause, HRT and her decision to have a hysterectomy, alongside the mindset shifts, manifestation practices and lifestyle changes that helped her rebuild her life.

Together, the conversation explores period health, cycle tracking, menopause, hormonal care, sobriety, mental resilience and why listening to symptoms matters just as much as test results.

This episode is for anyone who has ever been told it is just your period, felt unheard, overwhelmed or disconnected from their body. It is about understanding what is normal, advocating for yourself and finding the right support at the right time.

Because when women talk openly, change happens. This is Real Talk.

Real Talk Episode 1 - Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome to Real Talk

00:39 – Tanya’s Diagnosis Journey

02:59 – “It’s Just a Period”

05:36 – What’s Normal and What’s Not

07:37 – Breakdown and ADHD

09:43 – Sobriety and Confidence

10:59 – Mindset and Manifestation

12:23 – Menopause Reframed

13:26 – HRT and Hormone Care

14:09 – Considering Hysterectomy

15:46 – No Quick Fixes

17:01 – Routines and Resilience

18:22 – A Wake-Up Call

19:52 – Mental Load and Burnout

22:38 – Technology and Comparison

24:04 – Alcohol After a Reset

25:05 – Women’s Health Club Directory

26:24 – Food and Hormone Changes

27:25 – Types of Hysterectomy

30:50 – Recovery and Healing

32:39 – Hormones After Surgery

33:56 – Manifestation in Practice

36:09 – Social Life Without Alcohol

38:29 – Redefining Midlife

42:02 – Period Education

43:56 – Advice to Younger Women

45:12 – Alcohol and Identity

46:30 – Confidence and Opportunity

49:01 – Role Models Matter

50:10 – Music and Motivation

52:16 – Closing Thoughts

Real Talk is brought to you by The Women’s Health Club - a community connecting brilliant practitioners with brilliant women to enhance health, wellbeing and happiness.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for information and discussion purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical guidance.

Produced by: Snap and Natter

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