Author | Lightnews

Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Sep 19

Early morning walk - peri/menopause. Let’s talk about loss of libido-sex drive. Don’t be embarrassed to ask/talk abt it. Ask yr GP abt testosterone/lubricants. Frequent UTI’s aren’t normal! Read up on Vulva health. Address it - don’t avoid it. It’s not too late. @menomandate

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Sep 18

Early morning run - peri/menopause. Let’s talk about sleep or lack of it! It’s my worst symptom. Don’t fight it. Get up for ten mins.. Sleep is medicine & not enough of it makes coping with all the other symptoms much harder. Try supplements. Less caffeine, alcohol & more🏃‍♀️🏋️‍♀️🚶‍♀️‍➡️

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Sep 17

Early morning run.. in midlife we keep moving.. Endorphins come with exercise and like a natural medicine can lift our mood. @menomandate @alicesmellie @MenopauseNI 🌈🏃‍♀️ #menopause

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Aug 26

Positive story coming up by @benlonsdale Imagine if more gyms did this to support young people.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Glengormley MMA gym offers young people free training for life

Head coach Danny Corr says the aim is to give young people structure, opportunity and a sense of belonging.

www.bbc.co.uk

Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Aug 24

The view. #Malinhead #Inishowen #Donegal #Bankholidayweekend

Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jul 22

It’s difficult to get appnt with a menopause specialist GP.
NHS menopause waiting lists are 9 months.. +
private appnts are expensive..
NI doesn’t have women’s health hubs
So where does that leave women ?

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jul 22

Menopause - awake since after 3 30am! I thought I was over the worst of symptoms but after 5 years it feels like I’m starting over. All symptoms back with a vengeance. You shld not mess abt with HRT changing doses/patches.. it must be sorted by GP. It’s crap! Work soon 🫩

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jul 19

Menopause affects so many parts of women’s bodies - ovaries, muscles, skin and our brain. Brain fog is debilitating. Exercise becomes hard. And Every day another woman will find herself in peri/menopause. List your symptoms and look/ask for help. @BrMenopauseSoc @MenoScandal

Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jul 12

Words,Wisdom & Women - #ThedictionaryofLostWords documents the importance of language especially around women’s health and the important role women played compiling the Oxford English Dictionary. “Mothers have a vocabulary all their own..” Thanks Pip Williams for Esme. #words

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jun 28

If life is feeling a little heavy - I recommend you pick this up. It’s a reminder to see the good in people and not to be too hard on ourselves. This is beautiful. @NiallL90377 thank you for Noel.
“By the grace of new chapters, it was morning”.

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jun 25

Some day of public awareness around #ovariancancer
Imagine these two on billboards,posters & public health campaigns. Two sides of the cancer story - on a plate. Leading the way @CCampbell162 & @SJA_McC Thank you. 🌈🏃‍♀️

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jun 3

Powerful stories from brave women - This is @BBCSpotlightNI I will be talking about this programme across TV & Radio. View tonight BBC1 @10 40 pm. Or catch it now on the BBC iplayer

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Maternal mental health: Calls for specialist unit in Northern Ireland

Mothers with serious mental health problems are separated from their babies in Northern Ireland, unlike the rest of the UK.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · May 30

Men + Prostate + Robot = HOPE. From @Ailser99

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Enlarged prostate: Robotic technology treatment brings hope

The technology uses image-guided, high-velocity water jets to precisely remove excess prostate tissue.

www.bbc.co.uk

Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · May 29

Staff told me they just kept their head down hoping they would not be picked on..a leaked copy of the cardiology inspection report lays bare bullying allegations & claims of a lack of trust among staff. This is a shocking read
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Royal Victoria Belfast: Heart surgeons threw instruments and bullied nurses - report

BBC News NI has seen a leaked report into the culture at the Royal Victoria Hospital's cardiac surgery unit.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Apr 27

There’s a tremendous air of expectation.. the pair are quietly happy but not visibly showing any emotions. The tone is neither raised nor muted. There’s the odd laugh & trip to fridge…They’re sitting in their usual seats & wearing their @LFC scarves & pins. Father & Son. ❤️

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Apr 24

Are you affected by this dental story? Out of the 360 dental practices in Northern Ireland, only two are now fully NHS. An investigation by @bbcnewsni health unit www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Dentists remove over 50,000 NHS patients from practice lists

Out of the 360 dental practices in Northern Ireland, only two are now fully NHS.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Mar 25

Life after a heart attack: Meet my Dad - Joe Connolly www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Cardiac rehabilitation: 'I feel fitter than ever after my heart attack'

Our health correspondent shares a very personal story about the work of a cardiac rehabilitation team.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Mar 15

Inishowen this evening in all her natural beauty. ☘️

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Mar 10

Important public information: @healthdpt opens public consultation on redesign of Serious Adverse Incident Procedure in NI - it says there’s evidence that aspects of the SAI procedure need to be “refreshed and redesigned”. The consultation will close on 6 June 2025.

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Mar 7

Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman and sometimes it’s brilliant. Today we’ll be told how we should be feeling .. Just Be yourself and it’s ok not to be ok. Ask friends how they are & listen. #InternationalWomensDay2025 🌈🏃‍♀️

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Mar 4

A significant announcement for GP’s

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Public service reform: First part financial package to be released

Six projects in health, education, justice and infrastructure will share the money.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Mar 4

Have you read Suzy’s story? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Woman praises 'hero' surgeons who saved her smile

Suzy Spence was diagnosed with a tumour in her salivary gland and the surgery could cause facial paralysis.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Feb 7

“I liked a drink, trifle and the tender moment between a parent and child.” Blue Road tells the extraordinary life story of Irish writer Edna O’Brien. It’s superb. Applauds to filmmaker Sinéad O’Shea’s doc which features a final testimony from OBrien before she died in ‘24. #BlueRoad

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jan 29

A workplace #menopause policy allows women to feel confident to approach their employer to comfortably explain why she can’t come to work - or that she requires support. Menopause symptoms can be debilitating.

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Marie-Louise Connolly @mlchealth.bsky.social · Jan 29

Imagine heading off to work or beginning a shift caring for a family member &you’ve been up & awake for several hours. Sofa surfing since 3am. Throw in night sweats and you might be feeling wrung out. This is how some women who’re navigating the #menopause are feeling.. as they start the day.

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