Thriving In Menopause

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause , we’re talking about what it really takes to change the menopause conversation – and why that change is long overdue. Prevention Australia editor Zoe Meunier is joined by Heather Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Gen M, the global movement behind the M-Tick – an initiative designed to help women more easily find trusted, menopause-friendly p...

For many women, menopause isn’t just about physical symptoms – it’s a turning point. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause , we explore the often-overlooked psychological side of midlife, from identity shifts and emotional overwhelm to grief, relationships and the pressure of caring for everyone else. Joining us is menopause support counsellor Melinda McKeow n , who has spent...

What if preparing for menopause actually started decades earlier? In this episode, Prevention Editor Zoe sits down with triple Olympian Lisa Curry, co-founder of Happy Healthy You,  one of Australia’s leading programs supporting women through perimenopause, menopause and beyond. Together, they share how younger women can lay the groundwork now for a smoother transition later,  from...

If your knees, hips, shoulders or fingers have started feeling stiff, achy or inflamed during perimenopause, you’re not imagining it — and you’re certainly not alone. In this episode of  Thriving in Menopause , Prevention editor Zoe Meunier speaks with exercise scientist and nutritionist Amelia Phillips about why joint pain often appears during the menopausal transition &mda...

Sex, desire and intimacy can change during perimenopause and menopause – but too often, women are left navigating those changes with little information and even less support. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause , Prevention Australia editor Zoe Meunier speaks with Dr Kelly Casperson , a renowned US urologist, international speaker and leading advocate for women’s sexual health. Dr...

During perimenopause and menopause, many women notice changes in their bodies – from shifts in metabolism and muscle tone to energy dips and increased hunger. One nutrient that can make a powerful difference? Protein. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause , we’re joined by clinical nutritionist Sarah Di Lorenzo, to unpack why protein becomes especially important during midlife,...

In this raw, funny and deeply honest episode, comedian, writer, broadcaster and advocate Em Rusciano joins Prevention Editor Zoe Meunier to talk about her unfiltered experience of midlife, menopause and self-discovery – as shared in her new memoir, Blood, Sweat and Glitter . Em opens up about navigating perimenopause, ADHD, and autism , and the reckoning that comes when your hormones –...

How can workplaces better support women through menopause – and why does it matter for everyone? In this episode of Thriving in Menopause , Prevention Australia editor Zoe Meunier speaks with Grace Molloy, CEO of Menopause Friendly Australia ( menopausefriendlyaustralia.com.au ), the organisation helping employers create inclusive, understanding and supportive environments for midlife women....

Fertility is often one of the most confusing – and surprising – aspects of perimenopause. Your hormones are fluctuating, your periods might be irregular, but yes, you can still fall pregnant. For some women, that’s an unexpected joy; for others, a wake-up call. And for those trying to conceive later in life, it can be a time filled with questions, hope and uncertainty. In this ep...

If you’ve ever found yourself wide awake at 3am with a racing mind or drenched from a night sweat, you’re not alone. Up to half of women in perimenopause and menopause experience disrupted sleep – and it can affect everything from your mood and memory to your relationships and quality of life. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause , we talk to Dr Giselle Withers, a clinical ps...

If menopause has left you feeling foggy, forgetful, or like your brain has a thousand tabs open, you’re not imagining it. Cognitive changes are a very real part of perimenopause and menopause – and for women with ADHD, the impact can be even greater. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause , Associate Professor Caroline Gurvich, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Deputy Director of HER Ce...

Do you sometimes feel your heart race out of the blue, experience dizzy spells, or even find yourself in the grip of a panic attack? These unsettling symptoms can be surprisingly common during perimenopause and menopause - but what’s really going on? In this episode, we're joined by integrative medicine specialist and naturopathic physician Dr Karen Coates , co-author of new book Hormonal Ha...

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&rsq...

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 Da...

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 c...

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 ov...

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 per...

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...

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...

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 T...

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 flo...

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 h...

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 S...

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...

Welcome to this special extended podcast in honour of International Women's Day , in which we are joined by three special guests to address a crucial issue: women's healthcare rights, and how we can go about closing the gender health gap. Helping us to unpack what the gender health gap is, how it impacts women and what is being done to close the gap, we are joined by the following inspiring women:...