Dear Menopause

Alex Isaac is back this week to discuss her surgically induced menopause following a risk-reducing hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy and the benefits of starting immediate hormone therapy. We also discuss Sarah, Alex's sister and her fight for hormone therapy, due to her breast cancer history, and the life-changing impact when she finally found a GP who supported her. We debate the urge...

Would you undergo risk-reducing surgery to potentially save your life? My guest, Alex Isaac, faced this question head-on when she discovered she was a carrier of the BRCA genetic mutation at the age of 30. Brace yourself for an emotional rollercoaster ride as Alex bravely recounts her family's journey into the world of genetic mutations, which started with her sister's breast cancer diag...

How much do you truly know about menopause? Do you know the struggles women face while accessing adequate care for menopause-related issues? I'm joined by a passionate advocate for menopause education, UK expert, Dr Louise Newson. She shares her journey and insights as a GP who identified significant gaps in the healthcare system for women going through menopause. Listen on as we unravel the...

Hold onto your headphones! The Dear Menopause podcast is back with a bang, ready to hit your airwaves on Friday, October 20th.  I'm your host, Sonya Lovell, and I've spent countless hours preparing truly enlightening conversations and securing interviews with some industry legends for our second season.  From taboo topics to extraordinary personal experiences, we're pushing boundari...

What if you could change your perspective and embrace menopause as a positive transition rather than dreading it? Buckle up, as we, Sonya and Roma, challenge the fear-based narrative often associated with perimenopause and menopause, particularly on social media. We delve into the confusion caused by brands misusing the term 'peri' and the dire need to educate and inform women, especiall...

Have you tried to transform the way you think about food and nutrition? Join Sonya Lovell and Roma van der Walt as we dissect the language we use when we talk about food and examine the emotional attachments we form with what we eat. Sonya kicks things off by challenging us to set aside those damaging 'good' and 'bad' food labels and understand how they contribute to a seemingl...

As we age, the importance of a balanced approach to exercise becomes paramount, but where does Pilates fit into this mix? In this chat with Sonya Lovell and Roma van der Walt, we venture down the path of women's health and longevity, discussing Pilates and its role in overall fitness. We share our experiences and highlight the differences between mat and reformer Pilates. But don't be fo...

Have you ever wondered how your lifestyle choices impact your biological versus chronological age or thought about the implications of being able to delay menopause? Join Sonya Lovell and Roma van der Walt in the Dear Menopause sub-series, Atomic Health, as we dive deep into these intriguing topics. Through our lively discussion, we'll peel back the layers on the hot issues of women's he...

Are you ready for a sprinkle of change? After 70 incredible episodes and some delightful bonuses, I've decided it's time for an intentional pause. But don't worry. This is not a permanent goodbye.  Just as everyone needs a little break, so does Dear Menopause.  I'm taking a hiatus, gathering fresh ideas, and will return with a new spark.  Is there something more? Yes, indeed! A...

What if there was a way to navigate your menopause transition while still thriving in your career? In this podcast, I sit down with Grace Molloy, the CEO and founder of Menopause Friendly Australia, as she sheds light on the often-overlooked journey of menopause and its impacts on women in the workplace. Grace shares valuable insights from her personal and professional experiences, stressing the i...

What happens when a woman in her 40s, living a typical domestic life, suddenly decides to transform herself into an athlete? This is the story of Jo Pybus, a late-onset writer, feminist, and podcaster, who took on triathlons and endurance events while navigating the complexities of perimenopause. Her transformative journey and experiences dealing with not-so-informative GP visits and heavier perio...

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni is a pioneering force in women's mental health.  In this episode, Professor Kulkarni shares her knowledge of the urgent need for a revolutionary approach towards women's mental health treatments as the founder and director of one of Australia's most prominent psychiatric research groups. We also gain a deep insight into her groundbreaking 'HER Mental...

What if the silent impact of menopause on a woman's career costs up to $15 billion in lost income and superannuation? Prepare for an eye-opening conversation as I sit down with Mel Birks from the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees to dive into this under-discussed issue. From the startling statistic that the average Australian woman retires at 52.1 years to the role of the gender...

When life throws unexpected challenges our way, how do we rise above them and find gratitude amidst adversity? Join me as I sit down with the inspiring Kathryn Elliott, a breast cancer thriver and mother of three teenage boys, who shares her powerful journey through the battlefields of cancer and induced menopause. Together, we peel back the layers of our remarkably similar experiences and discuss...

Are you tired of sifting through the world of supplements, unsure of what's best for your midlife, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal needs? Join me for an enlightening conversation with the amazing Angelique Clark, an advanced accredited sports dietitian and exercise physiologist, as we uncover the truth about supplementation for women in midlife and beyond. We promise you'll walk away w...

Can you imagine the power of nature transforming your mental health and well-being, especially during menopause?  Join us for a captivating conversation with Jeff Johnson, host of the Nature Junkie Radio podcast, as we explore the incredible benefits of getting outdoors for menopausal women and the benefits it has on stress, sleep, and mental health.  Learn from Jeff's inspiring journey of di...

Today we draw back the curtain on the research that goes into providing clinicians and GPs with the best evidence-based information to support their patients. Join me as I chat with Dr Fiona Li, an obstetrics and gynecology trainee in Sydney and PhD candidate with the Grace Team at UNSW. With a refreshing and hopeful outlook, Fiona shares her passion for menopause and her dedication to understandi...

Worried that you've started drinking too much but know that you're still a long way from needing an intervention? Rachael Layton went through years of questioning her relationship with alcohol, knowing that she was drinking too much and worried that she was heading down a dangerous path. While she knew she wasn’t an alcoholic (although that didn’t stop her from occasionally Googling “Am...

Have you had this thought? Hang on a minute, I've done so much for others for such a long time, when will it be my time? My guest this week, Kirstin Bouse says, "If not now, when." Kirstin is a Clinical (and Forensic) Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. She has always had an interest in supporting women through significant periods of transition in their lives (motherhood...

Has the whole "to MHT or not" conversation left you completely confused and even a little wary? MHT.  HRT.  WTF?! First off, you're not alone. Secondly, this episode with Dr Ginni Mansberg is for you. The author of the bestseller, " The M Word, How to Thrive in Menopause " and founder of science-based Evidence Skincare (ESK), Dr Ginni is an Australian GP, TV presenter, pod...

Are your menopause symptoms really in your head? Or more precisely, in your brain? This week I chatted with my good friend, selfie buddy and fellow Kiwi, Dr Sarah McKay. Sarah is an Oxford University-educated neuroscientist, presenter of ABC Catalyst, director of The Neuroscience Academy, and author of The Women's Brain Book and her latest book, Baby Brain.  Who loves nothing more than deep d...

Have you been told to just “power through” your midlife transitions, only to find yourself stuck and feeling hopeless? Meet Angela Raspass, a dedicated coach, mentor, and speaker with a passion for empowering women to embrace their potential. Her expertise lies in self-leadership and a strength-based approach honed through 25 years of experience and education in positive psychology and neuroscienc...

" You can't be what you can't see, and so representation matter s."  Sandy Lowres is a fierce advocate of women's rights and empowerment and is determined to bring the often-ignored voices of women over 40 to the forefront while challenging hypocrisy and taboos. Sandy is the innovative founder of Women Beyond 40 (WB40), a platform dedicated to uplifting and empowering wome...

Are you tired of going through peri and menopausal symptoms without getting the support you need? Have you heard that increased awareness and advocacy of menopause support is the key to getting the help you need? My special guest in this episode is Zali Steggall MP. Zali is an influential figure in the Australian political landscape, serving as the independent member for Warringah in New South Wal...

Are you tired of the same old ineffective and unrelatable advice for improving your health and well-being in midlife?  Roma van der Walt, an entrepreneurial women's health expert and exercise professional, seeks to establish a common-sense approach to healthy living for midlife women by challenging the extremes of highly qualified but unrelatable doctors and influential celebrities to find th...