Surgical menopause: What I wish I'd known

For most women, menopause is a gradual transition. But what happens when it arrives almost overnight? At 49, Lisa Schweighoffer, co-founder of Australian skincare brand Boost Lab, underwent a medically necessary hysterectomy and suddenly found herself navigating surgical menopause – without feelin…

Menopause weight gain: why simply eating less isn't the answer

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 we…

How to cut through the menopause health noise

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 …

S17 E2 Your pelvic health through menopause

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 phy…

S17E1 Dr Vonda Wright: How to become unbreakable in midlife

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 …

S16 E6 From Inquiry to action: What's changed in menopause in Australia?

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…

S16 E5 Why everything feels harder in perimenopause

Why does everything suddenly feel so much harder in perimenopause? You might find yourself overwhelmed by things you once took in your stride, snapping at the people you love, feeling emotionally exhausted or simply wondering why you don’t seem to cope the way you used to. In this episode of Thriv…

S16 E4 Acupuncture and menopause: separating fact from fiction

From hot flushes and disrupted sleep to anxiety and fatigue, menopause symptoms can affect almost every aspect of daily life. While hormone therapy can be transformative for many women, it isn’t suitable for everyone – and some may be interested in complementary ways to manage their symptoms. In t…

S16 E3 Take control of your hormones in perimenopause

Could your constant fatigue, brain fog or irritability be more than just the juggle of everyday life? For many women, the first signs of perimenopause arrive years before they expect them to – and are often mistaken for stress, burnout or simply being "too busy". In this episode of Thriving in Men…

S16 E2 Mary Coustas: Finding the funny in menopause

For decades, Mary Coustas has made Australia laugh as the unforgettable Effie. But behind the sharp wit and larger-than-life persona is a woman whose own journey through midlife has been anything but straightforward. In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Mary opens up about the realities of m…