In November 2023, an inquiry on Issues related to menopause and perimenopause was referred to the Senate Community Affairs Committee. Co-sponsored by Labor Senator Marielle Smith and Greens Senator Larissa Waters, the motion hoped to shine a light on menopause and the physical, social, economic, mental and wellbeing impacts for women. Lasting nine months and following 266 written submissions as well as public hearings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth, the Committee reported its findings in September of this year. Today on the podcast, Senator Marielle Smith joins us to share the recommendations and what they could mean for women's health in the future. To see the full list of recommendations, visit www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause/Report

In November 2023, an inquiry on Issues related to menopause and perimenopause was referred to the Senate Community Affairs Committee. Co-sponsored by Labor Senator Marielle Smith and Greens Senator Larissa Waters, the motion hoped to shine a light on menopause and the physical, social, economic, mental and wellbeing impacts for women. Lasting nine months and following 266 written submissions as well as public hearings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth, the Committee reported its findings in September of this year. Today on the podcast, Senator Marielle Smith joins us to share the recommendations and what they could mean for women's health in the future. To see the full list of recommendations, visit <a href="http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause/Report">www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause/Report</a>

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

S11 E4 The Senate inquiry into 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 physiotherapist with more than three decades of clinical experience and a pelvic and sexual health educator, Lisa has spent her career helping women understand what’s happening to their bodies – and, importantly, what they can do about it.

Now, in her new book Sexy Menopause, she’s bringing those conversations out of the treatment room and into the open, tackling an area of women’s health that has remained taboo for far too long.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Lisa brings reassuring expertise, refreshing frankness and a welcome reminder that symptoms such as pelvic pain, prolapse and vaginal discomfort aren’t simply things women should quietly put up with as they get older. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening “down there” during and after menopause, this is an episode well worth hearing.

Pelvic health might be one of the least talked-about parts of menopause &ndash; yet the physical changes that happen as oestrogen declines can have an enormous impact on a woman&rsquo;s comfort, confidence and quality of life.
Few people are better placed to have this conversation than <a href="https://www.lisafitzpatrick.com.au">Lisa Fitzpatrick</a>. A physiotherapist with more than three decades of clinical experience and a pelvic and sexual health educator, Lisa has spent her career helping women understand what&rsquo;s happening to their bodies &ndash; and, importantly, what they can do about it.
Now, in her new book <a href="https://www.sexymenopause.com/">Sexy Menopause</a>, she&rsquo;s bringing those conversations out of the treatment room and into the open, tackling an area of women&rsquo;s health that has remained taboo for far too long.
In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Lisa brings reassuring expertise, refreshing frankness and a welcome reminder that symptoms such as pelvic pain, prolapse and vaginal discomfort aren&rsquo;t simply things women should quietly put up with as they get older. If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered what&rsquo;s really happening &ldquo;down there&rdquo; during and after menopause, this is an episode well worth hearing.

S17 E2 Your pelvic health through menopause

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 more than two decades studying how we can remain strong, mobile and independent as we age. She is also the author of the bestselling Unbreakable: A Woman’s Guide to Ageing with Power and the physician who gave a name to something countless women had been experiencing but struggling to explain: the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.

Her message is an enormously empowering one for women in midlife: ageing does not have to mean quietly accepting weakness, pain and physical decline. There is much we can do now to protect our muscles, bones, joints and future independence – and midlife is a crucial time to start.

Dr Wright is one of the most compelling voices in women’s longevity today, so we’re incredibly excited to welcome her to Thriving in Menopause. This is a conversation every woman who wants to feel strong, capable and confident in her body for decades to come should hear.

There are some guests whose work feels as though it&rsquo;s changing the conversation around women&rsquo;s health &ndash; and <a href="https://www.drvondawright.com">Dr Vonda Wright</a> is one of them.
A double board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and internationally recognised authority on human performance, longevity and women&rsquo;s health, Dr Wright has spent more than two decades studying how we can remain strong, mobile and independent as we age. She is also the author of the bestselling <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/unbreakable-9781785045660?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24227323907&amp;gbraid=0AAAABAo8Cf5ql4dfwImvZ-8lWBDoz7Qtl&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjww-3VBhAcEiwAwUUIu_VUyOXKPlXBg0_gmw7R2aa9k8VNoKPNvg0JgVdJW4vMOeQo-k2iRBoCX7UQAvD_BwE">Unbreakable: A Woman&rsquo;s Guide to Ageing with Power</a> and the physician who gave a name to something countless women had been experiencing but struggling to explain: the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.
Her message is an enormously empowering one for women in midlife: ageing does not have to mean quietly accepting weakness, pain and physical decline. There is much we can do now to protect our muscles, bones, joints and future independence &ndash; and midlife is a crucial time to start.
Dr Wright is one of the most compelling voices in women&rsquo;s longevity today, so we&rsquo;re incredibly excited to welcome her to Thriving in Menopause. This is a conversation every woman who wants to feel strong, capable and confident in her body for decades to come should hear.

S17E1 Dr Vonda Wright: How to become unbreakable in midlife

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 the experiences of Australian women into the national spotlight. Now, one of its key recommendations has become a reality, with the launch of a National Menopause and Perimenopause Awareness Campaign designed to help women recognise symptoms, find trusted information and feel more confident seeking support.

In this episode, we talk about why greater awareness matters, the stigma that still surrounds menopause, the progress made since the inquiry and where gaps remain in healthcare, workplaces and the wider community.

We also ask what real change looks like beyond an awareness campaign – and what Senator Smith hopes the next chapter will bring for women navigating perimenopause and menopause in Australia.

A year on from Australia&rsquo;s landmark Senate Inquiry into Menopause and Perimenopause, Senator Marielle Smith returns to Thriving in Menopause to talk about what&rsquo;s changed &ndash; and what still needs to happen.
As Co-Sponsor and Deputy Chair of the inquiry, Senator Smith played a pivotal role in bringing the experiences of Australian women into the national spotlight. Now, one of its key recommendations has become a reality, with the launch of a National Menopause and Perimenopause Awareness Campaign designed to help women recognise symptoms, find trusted information and feel more confident seeking support.
In this episode, we talk about why greater awareness matters, the stigma that still surrounds menopause, the progress made since the inquiry and where gaps remain in healthcare, workplaces and the wider community.
We also ask what real change looks like beyond an awareness campaign &ndash; and what Senator Smith hopes the next chapter will bring for women navigating perimenopause and menopause in Australia.

S11 E4 The Senate inquiry into menopause

In 1 playlist(s)

Thriving In Menopause

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips