Women and map reading, Faecal incontinence, Sexual desire and the menopause

The Queen’s speech yesterday contained mention of 26 new or returning Bills and more than a dozen areas where the government plans action. We look at how Boris Johnson’s legislative programme might address the concerns of women and the charge from critics that this is a pre-election manifesto.

We had such a huge response to yesterday’s item on faecal incontinence that today we’ve invited on surgeon Mr Oliver Warren and specialist pelvic physiotherapist Sue Almond to respond to your comments and outline the various treatments available.

Being bad at map reading is one of the many well-worn stereotypes about women. But is it true? The results of a massive global study of over 2.5 million people suggests it is, although not through any innate fault with women’s brains. Gillian Coughlan from the University of East Anglia talks about the science behind finding your way, while former Head of Publishing at the AA Helen Brocklehurst talks about the history of route-finding, women’s relationship with navigation, and her new British Road Map puzzle book.

How often have you heard the comment, the menopause seems to have taken away my sex drive? It’s a topic that psychotherapist and sex therapist Louise Mazanti comes across frequently in her practice. We explore how it’s possible for the two – sex and the menopause – to co-exist happily together.

Presenter: Jane Garvey
Interviewed guest: Anne McElvoy
Interviewed guest: Oliver Warren
Interviewed guest: Sue Almond
Interviewed guest: Gillian Coughlan
Interviewed guest: Helen Brocklehurst
Interviewed guest: Louise Mazanti
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore