Menopause is finally stepping out of the shadows, but what does the future of care really look like? In this episode, Prevention’s Zoe Meunier speaks with Dr Dev Ameratunga, a leading reproductive endocrinologist with a special interest in women’s hormonal health, about how advances in science, medicine and awareness are reshaping this life stage. If you’ve ever wondered what’s next in menopause treatment and support – and how women can take charge of their hormonal health – this conversation offers knowledge, hope and a glimpse into the future. Menopause is finally stepping out of the shadows, but what does the future of care really look like? In this episode, Prevention’s Zoe Meunier speaks with Dr Dev Ameratunga, a leading reproductive endocrinologist with a special interest in women’s hormonal health, about how advances in science, medicine and awareness are reshaping this life stage. Dr Dev shares her expert insights on: Why personalized medicine is the key to effective menopause care The truth about hormone therapy, including bioidentical hormones Exciting new non-hormonal treatments and what they mean for women How technology – from telehealth to apps and wearables – can improve access and support What an equitable, future-ready menopause care system could look like If you’ve ever wondered what’s next in menopause treatment and support – and how women can take charge of their hormonal health – this conversation offers knowledge, hope and a glimpse into the future. Listen now to discover how menopause care is evolving – and what that means for you. About our guest: Dr Devini Ameratunga is a Brisbane-based board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist (CREI) and Gynaecologist. Medical Director of Life Fertility Clinic, Devini is also an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, Senior Medical Officer (Gynae/Fertility) at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and the Clinical Lead of QLD Health's Public Fertility Preservation Clinic. Visit drdevameratunga.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When it comes to women’s hormones, testosterone is often misunderstood – and frequently left out of the conversation altogether. But what role does it really play in women’s health? Does it drop at menopause? And can testosterone therapy actually help with symptoms like low libido, energy or mood? In this episode, Thriving in Menopause host Zoe Meunier talks to Professor Susan Davis – one of the world’s leading researchers on women’s hormone health – to cut through the hype and misinformation around testosterone therapy. Whether you’re curious about boosting libido, wondering about safety, or just want to separate fact from fiction, this conversation will help you make informed choices about your hormone health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How is perimenopause quietly pushing women out of the workforce – and what can be done to stop it? In this powerful episode, TV presenter, journalist and fierce perimenopause advocate Shelly Horton returns to Thriving in Menopause to lift the lid on what she calls a “hidden workplace crisis.” Drawing on her personal journey - marked by burnout, depression, and nearly quitting a career she loved – Shelly shares how untreated perimenopause symptoms sidelined her professionally and emotionally. Now the author of I’m Your Peri Godmother and founder of workplace education company Don’t Sweat It, Shelly is on a mission to make perimenopause support standard, not a surprise. From how to start the conversation at work to the workplace policy changes that really make a difference, Shelly breaks down the myths, the data and the practical steps every workplace should take. Whether you're experiencing the transition yourself or leading a team, this is a must-listen conversation packed with honesty, empathy and evidence. Listen now and share it with a colleague, manager, or friend – let’s make menopause part of the workplace conversation. Learn more about our amazing guest Shelly Horton at ShellShocked Media. For more great menopause-related content, be sure to head to preventionaus.com.au and subscribe to Prevention magazine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it mean to reconnect with pleasure, intimacy and vitality during menopause? In this bold and insightful episode, we sit down with Adriene Cobcroft, a clinical sexologist, somatic psychotherapist and trauma therapist, to explore the powerful shift that’s possible when women reframe midlife as a time of sexual and emotional awakening – not decline. Addie shares her wisdom on overcoming shame, the importance of body-based healing, and how emotional wellbeing and pleasure are deeply intertwined. She also unpacks the transformative potential of somatic therapy and how we can start feeling more confident, connected and turned on – no matter our age or relationship status. What You’ll Learn: Common myths about libido, ageing and desire How shame and trauma get stored in the body – and what to do about it The role of somatic therapy in rekindling intimacy and self-trust Simple, empowering practices to reconnect with your body at home Why the best sex of your life could still be ahead of you How to navigate intimacy in both long-term relationships and new dynamics About Our Guest:Adriene Cobcroft is a clinical sexologist and somatic psychotherapist who specialises in helping women reclaim pleasure, autonomy and embodied wellbeing through all life stages. She’s also part of the sold-out Beaker Street Festival event Come Again: An Evening of Sex and Science. Learn more about Addie’s work via the Beaker Street Festival or her private practice based in Hobart (adrienecobcroft.com). For more great menopause-related content, be sure to head to preventionaus.com.au and subscribe to Prevention magazine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dryness, breakouts, sensitivity, dullness... if your skin suddenly feels like it’s going through a second puberty, you’re not imagining it. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier is joined by Vanessa Gray Lyndon, founder of Vanessa Megan Naturaceutical Skincare, to delve into what’s really going on beneath the surface of our skin during perimenopause and menopause – and how we can support it naturally. A formulation expert and passionate advocate for hormone-safe beauty, Vanessa explains how declining oestrogen affects skin health, from collagen loss and dehydration to increased sensitivity and pigmentation. She shares the science behind effective ingredients and which could be doing you more harm than good, as well as non-skincare treatments such as dermal massage and how it can help support your skin. Whether your skincare needs a reboot or you're simply trying to decode all the new changes, this is an empowering listen that proves midlife skin can absolutely thrive – with a little know-how and a lot of self-kindness. Links & Resources: Vanessa Megan Naturaceutical Skincare The Nasty Nine ingredients to avoid Apps for ingredient safety: Think Dirty and EWG’s Healthy Living If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe – and pick up a copy of Prevention Magazine for more expert advice on thriving through every stage of life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stress can feel like a constant unwanted companion during midlife – whether it's the overwhelming mental load of family and work, changing hormones, or adjusting to the next chapter of life. In this insightful episode, we’re joined by clinical and forensic psychologist Kirstin Bouse, founder of All About Her, to explore how women can better manage stress during the menopause transition. Drawing on decades of experience, Kirstin offers practical insights to help women build emotional resilience and make sense of the internal shifts that often accompany perimenopause and menopause. It's a validating and empowering conversation for anyone who feels like they’re running on empty. About Kirstin Bouse: Kirstin is a registered clinical and forensic psychologist with over 25 years of experience. She’s also the founder of All About Her, a hub where you can find health professionals and resources to support women through menopause. A sought-after speaker, facilitator and writer, Kirstin combines deep clinical knowledge with a relatable and down-to-earth approach that resonates with women from all walks of life. She's passionate about helping women navigate life’s messier moments with clarity and compassion. Links and Resources: Learn more about All About Her: www.allabouthercentre.com.au Connect with Kirstin on Instagram: @allabouthercentre; @kirstinbousepsych; @themidlifepsychologist Connect with Us: Visit www.preventionaus.com.au Follow Prevention on Instagram: @preventionaus Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review - your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While menopause is typically a natural transition, medically-induced menopause is another scenario altogether, coming at a time in a woman's life when she is already undergoing serious health challenges. To understand more on the subject, we’re joined on the podcast by Professor Martha Hickey, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne (since Feb 2010) and Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University, CT. She is the lead in a world-first study, What Happens After Menopause (WHAM), that explores just how women who experience medically-induced menopause are affected. The findings might surprise you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode of the podcast focuses on a menopausal symptom that is very common but can be quite distressing to experience - female pattern hair loss. From an ever-widening hair part to temples that are creeping backwards, the good news is there is much to be done to halt the thinning. Our expert to guide us through the options is Chelcey Salinger IAT, a consultant trichologist at the Australian Trichology Centre, Sydney and Adelaide, (www.hairlossspecialist.com.au) who specialises in hair loss, baldness, alopecia areata, hair breakage, hair damage, psoriasis and other scalp problems in women and men. Chelcey is the executive director of the International Association of Trichologists (USA). She is involved in the education of Trichologists, tutoring students all over the world and supervising the clinical training of students in Australia. To find a registered trichologist, visit www.iattrichology.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There has been an explosion of interest in recent years in the gut microbiome, but in contrast, the vaginal microbiome is largely undiscussed. Understanding this delicate habitat is never more essential than during perimenopause and menopause, when the microbiome can undergo significant changes, leading to a range of health conditions. To help us learn more about how we can support our vaginal flora through this transition and optimise our vaginal health, we are joined by Dr Moira Bradfield Strydom (PhD), the founder of Intimate Ecology clinical and education services. A Naturopath, educator and researcher with over 20 years clinical experience, she has a passion for helping people experience optimal health in sustainable and sensible ways. Clinically, she has a niche interest in recurrent vaginal infections, optimal vaginal and genitourinary health, hormones and the genitourinary microbiomes. Moira completed a PhD through Griffith University which focused on the vaginal microbiome and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. She also holds a Bachelor of Naturopathy and a Masters degree in Acupuncture. In addition to her role as a Naturopath, Moira has lectured extensively at a tertiary level and in the area of holistic genitourinary health, educating her fellow practitioners to offer support in an often-overlooked area. Find out more about Moira and her services at www.intimateecology.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The mental health effects of perimenopause can be severe and swift - often arriving at a time in a woman's life when she may have no other symptoms and be completely unaware of what is happening to her. Craig Gaunt became aware of this knowledge gap after losing his wife, Debbie, to suicide in 2019, following severe and sudden mental health issues that have since been partially attributed to the hormonal effects of perimenopause. To honour Debbie, the Gaunt family set up the Debbie Gaunt Foundation, which works to fund projects aimed at providing a greater understanding of the mental health impacts of perimenopause and other conditions that affect women's mental health. To find out more, head to debbiegauntfoundation.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meno belly, the accumulation of belly fat and increased weight in the mid-section that occurs during peri and menopause, can be one of the most bothersome parts of the transition for many women, especially when compounded by uncomfortable bloating. We unpack what causes both, and what steps women can take to lessen their impact. To guide us through the subject is Dr Ceri Cashell, a GP from Sydney’s Northern Beaches who specialises in hormones and their impact on health, in particular for women during peri/menopause. She is also a co-founder of Healthy Hormones (www.healthyhormones.au), an online menopause community offering free learning and support for health professionals and all Australians.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For a life transition that happens to 50 per cent of the population, menopause has no shortage of misconceptions and confusion surrounding it. To help us dispel some of the biggest misunderstandings about menopause, we're joined in this episode by Dr Sarah White. Dr White is the Chief Executive Officer of Jean Hailes for Women's Health (www.jeanhailes.org.au), Australia's leading non-governmental organisation providing women's health information and education to the general public and health professionals. She's also a member of the National Women's Health Advisory Council and the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Women's Health Products Group, and is still actively involved in women's health research today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Professor Sharon Naismith is a clinical neuropsychologist from the Brain and Mind Centre and Charles Perkins Centre, who is leading a world-first project looking at the focus of sleep disruption in accelerating cognitive decline, which can lead to dementia. On today's podcast episode, Professor Naismith helps us understand why sleep problems are so rife during menopause and how we can ensure our sleep issues are put to bed before they go on to cause serious health issues later in life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When we're feeling fatigued, stressed and burned out - not to mention grappling with menopausal symptoms - carving out time for ourselves can seem like an impossible task. But as life coach Danielle Colley explains in this episode, ensuring that we are allowing ourselves the necessary amount of work, rest and play in our lives, is absolutely crucial for our health and wellbeing, and can even make our menopause journey smoother. She explains how we can go about it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In November 2023, an inquiry on Issues related to menopause and perimenopause was referred to the Senate Community Affairs Committee. Co-sponsored by Labor Senator Marielle Smith and Greens Senator Larissa Waters, the motion hoped to shine a light on menopause and the physical, social, economic, mental and wellbeing impacts for women. Lasting nine months and following 266 written submissions as well as public hearings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth, the Committee reported its findings in September of this year. Today on the podcast, Senator Marielle Smith joins us to share the recommendations and what they could mean for women's health in the future. To see the full list of recommendations, visit www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause/Report See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this podcast episode, we welcome back Michelle Bridges, fitness icon and mastermind of the 12WBT program and her new menopause-specific program, The Menopause Method. Today, we explore the many ways that exercise supports our bodies through the menopausal journey and focus on the kinds of exercise we should be doing to best support our health and wellbeing as we enter into this phase of our lives and beyond. If you need some motivation to kickstart you into moving more, you've come to the right place! 12wbt.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sexologist Christine Rafe is a sex and relationships expert for Womanizer, a brand dedicated to supporting women's sexual health and pleasure. Womanizer recently teamed up with the Kinsey Institute, world renowned for its research on human sexuality, to conduct a fascinating new study that looks at the importance of both masturbation and sex as effective tools for helping to manage menopausal symptoms. In this podcast, Christine shares details about the study and how we can go about enjoying the benefits for ourselves. womanizer.com/auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Accredited practising dietitian and bestselling author Jaime Rose Chambers has now written a new book, The Peri Diet. In this podcast episode, Jaime shares her best tips for eating for a happy and healthy perimenopause and beyond. Learn which foods can help to minimise your symptoms, control menopausal weight gain, combat the key hormonal changes that occur at this time of life and set you up to for a long, healthy future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM is a psychiatrist and researcher at Monash University, internationally acknowledged as a leader and expert in the field of women’s mental health, in particular, for her innovative work on reproductive hormones and mental illness. In this episode of the podcast, Professor Kulkarni will be discussing mental ill health during menopause, particularly depression and anxiety, and shares what needs to be done to help women experiencing these symptoms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
'Menopause mouth' is a term that reflects the many changes and symptoms that can affect our mouths throughout the menopause transition, from dry mouth to 'burning tongue', to gum issues and bad breath. To talk us through how we can best combat these symptoms, we're joined in this episode by dentist to the stars, Dr Gamer Verdian, Chief Executive Officer at D-Group, which encompasses both the luxurious Dental Lounge in Sydney’s Double Bay, as well as Dental 99, which offers essential dental treatments for as little as $99. @DrGamerVerdian @DentalLoungeSydney www.dentallounge.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.