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 Harmony. Dr Coates will unpack why these symptoms occur, when to seek medical advice, and the practical strategies that can help you manage them. From understanding the role of fluctuating hormones to uncovering lifestyle triggers, Dr Coates shares her expert insights to help you feel calmer and more in control.

 

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&rsquo;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 Harmony.&nbsp;Dr Coates will unpack why these symptoms occur, when to seek medical advice, and the practical strategies that can help you manage them. From understanding the role of fluctuating hormones to uncovering lifestyle triggers, Dr Coates shares her expert insights to help you feel calmer and more in control.
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At Prevention we know how confusing and truly overwhelming the changes caused by menopause can be. That’s why we’ve enlisted some of Australia’s best health experts to share simple ways to make midlife easier in our new podcast, Thriving in Menopause. We cover it all, from minimising those awful hot flushes, to easing mad-eyed mood swings, to managing sudden weight shifts, to handling your relationship. If you’re a woman in midlife, this series just for you!

Thriving In Menopause

S14 E1 Dizziness, heart palpitations and panic attacks

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 Thriving in Menopause, we’re joined by clinical psychologist Narelle Dickinson to explore what’s really going on. We unpack the connection between hormones, the brain and nervous system, and how the changes of midlife can affect our emotional bandwidth, resilience and ability to deal with stress.

Narelle explains what nervous system dysregulation can look like in everyday life, where cortisol and chronic stress fit into the picture and why burnout and hormonal symptoms can be so difficult to untangle. We also explore why some women find themselves reassessing relationships and becoming less willing to tolerate things they once did - leading to the 'menodivorce' phenomenon.

Most importantly, Narelle shares practical strategies to help calm an overloaded nervous system, prioritise rest and recovery and feel more like yourself again.

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&rsquo;t seem to cope the way you used to.
In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, we&rsquo;re joined by clinical psychologist <a href="https://www.lotushp.com.au/narelle-dickinson-profile">Narelle Dickinson</a> to explore what&rsquo;s really going on. We unpack the connection between hormones, the brain and nervous system, and how the changes of midlife can affect our emotional bandwidth, resilience and ability to deal with stress.
Narelle explains what nervous system dysregulation can look like in everyday life, where cortisol and chronic stress fit into the picture and why burnout and hormonal symptoms can be so difficult to untangle. We also explore why some women find themselves reassessing relationships and becoming less willing to tolerate things they once did - leading to the 'menodivorce' phenomenon.
Most importantly, Narelle shares practical strategies to help calm an overloaded nervous system, prioritise rest and recovery and feel more like yourself again.

S16 E5 Why everything feels harder in perimenopause

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 this episode of Thriving in Menopause, host Zoe Meunier speaks with Kim Gatenby, Director of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association, about the role acupuncture may play in menopause care.

Kim explains how acupuncture works, what the current evidence tells us and why treatment is tailored to each woman’s individual experience. She also discusses the symptoms women most commonly seek help for, what to expect during a consultation and how to find a suitably qualified practitioner.

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&rsquo;t suitable for everyone &ndash; and some may be interested in complementary ways to manage their symptoms.
In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, host Zoe Meunier speaks with Kim Gatenby, Director of the <a href="https://acupuncture.org.au/">Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association</a>, about the role acupuncture may play in menopause care.
Kim explains how acupuncture works, what the current evidence tells us and why treatment is tailored to each woman&rsquo;s individual experience. She also discusses the symptoms women most commonly seek help for, what to expect during a consultation and how to find a suitably qualified practitioner.

S16 E4 Acupuncture and menopause: separating fact from fiction

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 Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier is joined by nutritionist, chef and WelleCo educator Zoe Bingley-Pullin, who shares her own experience of being diagnosed with perimenopause at just 39. Together, they unpack why this transition can begin earlier than many women realise, the symptoms to look out for and the simple, evidence-based lifestyle strategies that can help you feel your best.

From the importance of blood sugar balance and protein to the role of stress, sleep and movement, this conversation cuts through the online noise to focus on the habits that truly support hormone health – not just for today, but for healthy ageing in the years ahead.

Whether you're in your late 30s, already navigating menopause or simply want to future-proof your health, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you take control of your hormones – rather than letting them control you.

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 &ndash; and are often mistaken for stress, burnout or simply being "too busy".
In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier is joined by nutritionist, chef and <a href="https://welleco.com.au/">WelleCo</a> educator <a href="https://www.zoebingleypullin.com/">Zoe Bingley-Pullin</a>, who shares her own experience of being diagnosed with perimenopause at just 39. Together, they unpack why this transition can begin earlier than many women realise, the symptoms to look out for and the simple, evidence-based lifestyle strategies that can help you feel your best.
From the importance of blood sugar balance and protein to the role of stress, sleep and movement, this conversation cuts through the online noise to focus on the habits that truly support hormone health &ndash; not just for today, but for healthy ageing in the years ahead.
Whether you're in your late 30s, already navigating menopause or simply want to future-proof your health, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you take control of your hormones &ndash; rather than letting them control you.

S14 E1 Dizziness, heart palpitations and panic attacks

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