Thriving In Menopause

Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause can feel frustrating, confusing and sometimes downright unfair – especially when the healthy habits that once worked no longer seem to make a difference. But what if the answer isn't simply to eat less? New research from the CSIRO has revealed that weight gain is the most commonly reported symptom of menopause, ahead of hot flushes, fatigue and sleep disturbances. And there's another surprising finding: many women in midlife aren't getting enough protein to support their changing bodies. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier is joined by Dr Gilly Hendrie, Research Scientist at the CSIRO and part of the team behind the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, to unpack what's really happening to our metabolism, muscle mass and nutritional needs during menopause. Together, they explore why traditional weight-loss advice can miss the mark, the importance of protein for healthy ageing and how small, realistic changes to what we eat can make a meaningful difference – without restrictive dieting or expensive supplements. If you've ever wondered why your body seems to be playing by a different set of rules in midlife, this is an episode you won't want to miss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever felt like managing your health in midlife has become a full-time job, this episode is for you. From hormones and sleep to weight, supplements, bone health and longevity, there’s no shortage of advice about what we should be doing. But with so much information – and often conflicting opinions – how do we know where to start? Women’s health strategist, naturopath and author Susan Hunter has spent 20 years helping women navigate their health, and she believes we don’t have an information problem – we have a navigation problem. In this refreshingly practical conversation, Susan joins Prevention editor Zoe Meunier to explain how to cut through the wellness noise, understand what your body is telling you and make more confident decisions about your health. Because thriving through menopause isn’t about doing everything perfectly – it’s about knowing what matters most, what can wait and where to focus your energy. Susan is the author of The Health Edit: Where to Start. What to Change. For Women Over 40.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pelvic health might be one of the least talked-about parts of menopause – yet the physical changes that happen as oestrogen declines can have an enormous impact on a woman’s comfort, confidence and quality of life. Few people are better placed to have this conversation than Lisa Fitzpatrick. A physiotherapist with more than three decades of clinical experience and a pelvic and sexual health educator, Lisa has spent her career helping women understand what’s happening to their bodies – and, importantly, what they can do about it. Now, in her new book Sexy Menopause, she’s bringing those conversations out of the treatment room and into the open, tackling an area of women’s health that has remained taboo for far too long. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Lisa brings reassuring expertise, refreshing frankness and a welcome reminder that symptoms such as pelvic pain, prolapse and vaginal discomfort aren’t simply things women should quietly put up with as they get older. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening “down there” during and after menopause, this is an episode well worth hearing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are some guests whose work feels as though it’s changing the conversation around women’s health – and Dr Vonda Wright is one of them. A double board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and internationally recognised authority on human performance, longevity and women’s health, Dr Wright has spent more than two decades studying how we can remain strong, mobile and independent as we age. She is also the author of the bestselling Unbreakable: A Woman’s Guide to Ageing with Power and the physician who gave a name to something countless women had been experiencing but struggling to explain: the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause. Her message is an enormously empowering one for women in midlife: ageing does not have to mean quietly accepting weakness, pain and physical decline. There is much we can do now to protect our muscles, bones, joints and future independence – and midlife is a crucial time to start. Dr Wright is one of the most compelling voices in women’s longevity today, so we’re incredibly excited to welcome her to Thriving in Menopause. This is a conversation every woman who wants to feel strong, capable and confident in her body for decades to come should hear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year on from Australia’s landmark Senate Inquiry into Menopause and Perimenopause, Senator Marielle Smith returns to Thriving in Menopause to talk about what’s changed – and what still needs to happen. As Co-Sponsor and Deputy Chair of the inquiry, Senator Smith played a pivotal role in bringing the experiences of Australian women into the national spotlight. Now, one of its key recommendations has become a reality, with the launch of a National Menopause and Perimenopause Awareness Campaign designed to help women recognise symptoms, find trusted information and feel more confident seeking support. In this episode, we talk about why greater awareness matters, the stigma that still surrounds menopause, the progress made since the inquiry and where gaps remain in healthcare, workplaces and the wider community. We also ask what real change looks like beyond an awareness campaign – and what Senator Smith hopes the next chapter will bring for women navigating perimenopause and menopause in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.