163: Her Health and Happiness with Jenni Russell - Episode 163
163: Her Health and Happiness with Jenni Russell - Episode 163

UK Health Radio Podcast

Jenni Russell and Dr Sheena Tanner talk about how menopause can affect oral health, linking the mouth and pelvic floor as part of one whole body. The conversation blends practical dental advice, wider reflections on women’s health, and a candid look at staying purposeful and confident in midlife.

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48:44•26 Oct 2026

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Menopause, Mouths and Pelvic Floors: Jenni Russell Talks with Dr Sheena Tanner

Episode Overview

Menopause‑related drops in oestrogen can affect saliva, gum health and oral comfort, making dry mouth, gum pain and burning sensations more likely.
The mouth and vagina are two key “gateways” with protective tissues and microbiomes that both respond to hormonal changes, even though their roles differ.
Menopause is a risk factor, not a guarantee, for oral problems; regular dental visits, good hygiene, saliva substitutes and simple habits can greatly reduce issues.
Dental anxiety is common, but modern practices use tools like numbing cream, music, clear stop‑signals and patient‑centred conversation to make treatment more manageable.
Cheap dental work abroad may seem appealing, but lack of long‑term responsibility and follow‑up can create serious, expensive problems later; saving and planning for quality care is strongly advised.

“There is evidence now that your mouth goes through menopause too.”

How do people manage co-occurring mental and physical health issues while recovering their sense of wellbeing? This conversation on UK Health Radio’s *Her Health and Happiness* zooms in on an area many women have never been told about: how menopause can affect the mouth just as much as the pelvic floor. Host Jenni Russell brings her trademark humour and warmth as she chats with award-winning dentist Dr Sheena Tanner about the “upstairs–downstairs” link between oral health, pelvic health and menopause.

Dr Tanner explains that, “there is evidence now that your mouth goes through menopause too,” highlighting issues like dry mouth, gum pain, burning mouth sensations and increased risk of decay when oestrogen levels drop. Jenni, a pelvic health specialist, keeps tying the mouth and vagina together as “two gateways that link your inner and outer world”, pointing out how both rely on protective tissues, healthy microbiomes and lubrication.

They stress that menopause is a **risk factor**, not an automatic sentence, and that good dental care, regular checks, saliva substitutes and simple habits like sipping water and chewing sugar‑free gum can make a big difference. The pair also tackle dental anxiety, the lure of cheap treatment abroad, and the importance of seeing dentistry as long‑term health care rather than a quick cosmetic fix.

Jenni keeps it relatable with jokes about “sassy, sexy 63” and her firm requirement that any future partner has “his own beautiful teeth”, while Dr Tanner reassures anxious patients with practical tips like numbing cream, stop‑signals and finding a dentist you actually like. Beyond teeth, Jenni shares how a new role in the art world has reminded her that usefulness, purpose and playfulness don’t end at menopause – they just need new outlets.

By the end, you’ll likely be asking yourself: what parts of your body – and your life – are quietly asking for a bit more care?

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