Dear Menopause

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Dear Menopause

Sonya Lovell

127 episodes

2 months ago

Reaching the four-week milestone in my hysterectomy recovery journey feels like crossing an important threshold. In this episode, I discuss the remarkable physical transformation that has occurred – pain has decreased significantly, mobility has improved dramatically, and my energy levels have surged. Simple movements that caused discomfort just two weeks ago, like rolling over in bed or tying shoelaces, now feel natural again. The four-week check-up with my surgeon brought validation and un...

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Health & Fitness

Personal Journals,

Society & Culture,

Self-Improvement

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Reaching the four-week milestone in my hysterectomy recovery journey feels like crossing an important threshold. In this episode, I discuss the remarkable physical transformation that has occurred – pain has decreased significantly, mobility has improved dramatically, and my energy levels have surged. Simple movements that caused discomfort just two weeks ago, like rolling over in bed or tying shoelaces, now feel natural again. The four-week check-up with my surgeon brought validation and un...

Show more...

Health & Fitness

Personal Journals,

Society & Culture,

Self-Improvement

Episodes (20/127)

Dear Menopause

127: Hysterectomy | 4 Weeks Post Op Update

Reaching the four-week milestone in my hysterectomy recovery journey feels like crossing an important threshold. In this episode, I discuss the remarkable physical transformation that has occurred – pain has decreased significantly, mobility has improved dramatically, and my energy levels have surged. Simple movements that caused discomfort just two weeks ago, like rolling over in bed or tying shoelaces, now feel natural again. The four-week check-up with my surgeon brought validation and un...

2 months ago

25 minutes

Dear Menopause

126: Hysterectomy | 2 Weeks Post Op Update

The unexpected sight of blood when you're eight years post-menopause can trigger immediate alarm bells. That's exactly what happened to me in September 2024, launching me on a journey that ultimately led to having a hysterectomy at age 55. This very personal episode takes you through my complete hysterectomy experience – from the shocking discovery of post-menopausal bleeding to my recovery two weeks after robotic laparoscopic surgery. I share the medical investigations that revealed my sign...

2 months ago

48 minutes

Dear Menopause

125: CSIRO Menopause Plan: Science-Backed Nutrition for Midlife

As the head of health programs at CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, Nicole Pritchard shares how their new Menopause Plan leverages a decade of research to address the unique nutritional needs of perimenopausal and menopausal women. At the heart of the program is a powerful yet simple nutritional philosophy: emphasise high-quality protein, choose low glycemic index carbohydrates, and prioritise fiber-rich foods. This approach directly addresses the physiological changes occurring during menopause, ...

4 months ago

26 minutes

Dear Menopause

124: Critical gaps in Indigenous menopause care with Prof Odette Best

When Professor Odette Best, Pro Vice-Chancellor (First Nations Strategy) at UniSQ discovered she was experiencing perimenopausal symptoms, she turned to her healthcare provider for answers, only to find a glaring absence of research, resources, and support specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. "The last lot of research that we did or was done in Australia was about 12 years ago, and it was done by a group of non-Indigenous women and there were 10 women that t...

4 months ago

29 minutes

Dear Menopause

123: The Beauty of Aging: A Conversation with Elizabeth Barbalich from Antipodes Skincare

What if your menopause journey could be a celebration of your skin's resilience rather than a battle against it? Elizabeth Barbalich, founder and CEO of Antipodes Skincare, shares this refreshing perspective as she joins us to discuss how natural ingredients can address the unique challenges of menopausal skin. From her kitchen table to a global brand sold in over 40 countries, Elizabeth's story embodies the power of female entrepreneurship guided by genuine purpose. She reveals how winning ...

5 months ago

25 minutes

Dear Menopause

122: Hot Take with Sonya and Johanna

A captivating conversation between Sonya and Jo explores the rapidly evolving landscape of menopause healthcare, research, and politics in Australia. In this episode we begin by unpacking the viral podcast between Dr. Rachel Rubin and Dr. Peter Attia – a two-and-a-half hour deep dive into menopause, vaginal health and GSM that's being celebrated as "the best podcast that has been recorded to date on this topic." What makes it exceptional isn't just the content but the peer-to-peer dynam...

5 months ago

33 minutes

Dear Menopause

121: Breakups in Midlife: When Menopause Reshapes Your Relationship

What happens to marriages and long-term relationships during menopause? Clinical psychologist Kirstin Bouse returns to the podcast to tackle this powerful question, revealing why 70% of midlife breakups are initiated by women. The menopause transition triggers not just hormonal changes but profound psychological shifts. Neuroplasticity during this period reshapes women's brains, often leading to significant evolutions in identity, values, and what they're willing to tolerate. As Kirsti...

5 months ago

41 minutes

Dear Menopause

120: Your Brain During Menopause with Dr Jen Hacker Pearson

Your brain is undergoing a massive renovation during menopause, and Neuroscientist Dr Jennifer Hacker Pearson is here to help you understand the how and why. With nearly three decades studying neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change itself, Dr Jen offers revolutionary insights into why perimenopause affects every woman differently and how you can harness this transformation. When estrogen levels fluctuate during perimenopause, your brain essentially panics. There are estrogen re...

5 months ago

36 minutes

Dear Menopause

119: The Testosterone Access Gap No One's Talking About

We need to talk about the glaring inequity in Australian healthcare that's affecting millions of women. After 18 months on menopause hormone therapy, testosterone has transformed my life, restoring my vitality, sharpening my focus, lifting my mood, and reawakening my sexuality. Yet accessing this life-changing treatment reveals a troubling gender bias in our healthcare system. While nine testosterone products for men are subsidised through the PBS, Androfeme - the only female-specific testos...

6 months ago

10 minutes

Dear Menopause

118: Postmenopausal Bleeding: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help

Postmenopausal bleeding can be an alarming experience, especially when you've gone years without a period. What causes this unexpected bleeding? When should you be concerned? Dr Ceri Cashell joins me to demystify this common but often distressing symptom. We dive into the definition of postmenopausal bleeding - any bleeding that occurs after 12 months without periods - and explore the various causes, from hormone imbalances to more serious conditions that require immediate attention. D...

6 months ago

14 minutes

Dear Menopause

117: Weight Loss, Hormones and Metabolic Health with Dr Lucy Burns

Have you ever wondered why weight creeps on during menopause, despite your best efforts? Dr Lucy Burns pulls back the curtain on what she calls the "metabolic triad of menopause" – a perfect storm of declining estrogen, rising cortisol, and increasing insulin resistance that creates the ideal conditions for stubborn weight gain. As a GP who retrained in lifestyle medicine after experiencing her own health challenges, Dr. Burns offers a refreshingly honest perspective on why traditional...

6 months ago

52 minutes

Dear Menopause

116: ENCORE: ADHD, Autism and the Menopausal Brain

The relationship between menopause and neurodivergence remains largely unexplored territory in women's health—until now. In this groundbreaking conversation, neuropsychologist A/Professor Caroline Gurvich shares fascinating insights into why cognitive symptoms during perimenopause may signal more than just typical hormone fluctuations. For many women, perimenopause becomes the unexpected moment when long-overlooked neurodivergent traits suddenly demand attention. "About 98% of people s...

6 months ago

38 minutes

Dear Menopause

115: Creatine, Blood Tests & Supplement Hype with Sarah Gray

Supplement confusion is at an all-time high, with social media feeds flooded with miracle promises targeting menopausal women. But how do you know what you actually need, what works, and what's just expensive snake oil? Pharmacist and nutritionist Sarah Gray brings her dual expertise to this conversation, offering practical guidance for navigating the overwhelming world of supplementation. Unlike most health professionals who specialise in either conventional medicine or natural approa...

7 months ago

45 minutes

Dear Menopause

114: ENCORE | Heavy Periods: The Silent Epidemic with Dr Talat Uppal

In this popular episode, Dr. Talat Uppal, an obstetrician-gynecologist specialising in heavy menstrual bleeding, shares her expertise on a condition affecting one in four women yet rarely discussed openly. This eye-opening conversation sheds light on how women often normalise suffering through periods that drastically impact their quality of life. The discussion reveals shocking statistics: 25% of women experience heavy menstrual bleeding, yet more than half never seek medical help.&nb...

7 months ago

29 minutes

Dear Menopause

113: Hot Take with Sonya and Johanna

Updates on the rapidly changing landscape of menopause care in Australia and globally, focusing on revolutionary PBS changes making hormone therapy more affordable and the growing momentum around women's health initiatives. • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) now includes Estrogel, Prometrium, and Estrogel Pro (as of March 1st), with Slinder joining May 1st • PBS prescriptions require specific coding - you may need a new prescription to access subsidised pricing • FDA removed warnings fro...

7 months ago

41 minutes

Dear Menopause

112: Sex Doesn't End at Menopause with Laura Lee

What happens to our sexuality during menopause? Far from signalling an end to pleasure and intimacy, this transition offers an unexpected opportunity for sexual rediscovery and deeper connection. Psychologist and sexologist Laura Lee joins me in this episode to masterfully unpack the evolution of desire through midlife, challenging our cultural fixation on "loss of libido" by revealing how desire simply changes form. Sexual communication can feel particularly challenging during m...

7 months ago

40 minutes

Dear Menopause

111: Cancer Recovery Isn’t a Straight Line: A Conversation on Expectations with Shari Todd

How do you navigate life after cancer when everything feels different? Join me for a raw discussion that dives deep into the emotional and physical realities of cancer recovery. In this episode, Shari Todd and I share similarities in our vulnerable journeys through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and what life looks like on the other side. And what it took for us to get there. You will hear a candid conversation about the weight of expectations, mental health struggles, and the often...

8 months ago

36 minutes

Dear Menopause

110: Ged Kearney on Investing in Women's Health

Delve into an exciting new era for women's health in Australia, highlighted by a $573.3 million investment. Join my conversation with Ged Kearney, the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, who passionately shares insights from her extensive background in nursing and women's health advocacy. As we explore the various components of this funding package, Ged discusses critical advancements aimed at transforming menopause care, addressing gender disparities in the health system...

8 months ago

26 minutes

Dear Menopause

109: Dr Louise Newson on Menopause Advocacy and Education

Enjoy this captivating conversation with Dr. Louise Newson, a renowned Uk based expert in the field of menopause. With her extensive background in evidence-based medicine and a passion for translating complex medical data into practical insights, Dr. Newson sheds light on the evolving landscape of menopause awareness, specifically in Australia. You will hear about her journey from a career in pathology and cancer medicine to becoming a leading advocate for menopause education. Tog...

8 months ago

25 minutes

Dear Menopause

108: Dr. Kelly Casperson on Female Sexual Health

Join me today to dive into the intricacies of vaginal and sexual health with Dr. Kelly Casperson, a leading figure in female sexual health and hormones. We unpack all everything you need to know about Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), highlighting the critical need for understanding and treating these symptoms beyond conventional methods like antibiotics for urinary tract infections. We dissect the FDA's boxed warnings on estrogen medications, which we also have here in Austra...

8 months ago

33 minutes