Why do some girls start their periods as early as eight years old? 

In this episode, Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam take us on a lifetime hormonal tour. We track the journey from the ‘magic and mayhem’ of puberty to the ‘window of chaos’ that is perimenopause, exploring how these changing hormones reshape our bodies, our brains, and our moods at every life stage.

We talk to obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Ginny Foo about why periods are starting earlier and what level of pain is actually ‘normal.’ We also speak with endocrinologist Dr Isabelle Smith about the hormone ‘dump’ after childbirth, the myth of the testosterone cure-all for libido, and why your ‘stress cup’ might be overflowing.

Plus, gynaecologist Dr Natasha Andreas joins us to unpack life over 50. We discuss the ‘second puberty’, why oestrogen is the ultimate protector of your heart and bones, and the essential health checks every woman needs to stay ahead of the game as her hormones settle into a new normal.

EPISODE RESOURCES

If this episode has raised concerns for you regarding body image, eating disorders, or chronic illness support, the following resources are available:


Butterfly Foundation: Support for eating disorders and body image issues. Call 1800 33 4673.


Jean Hailes for Women's Health: A leading resource for PCOS, hormones and women’s health.


Diabetes Australia: Information on pre-diabetes management and support.


Lifeline: If you are feeling overwhelmed and need someone to talk to, please call 13 11 14.

And, if you want to learn more about the topics discussed in today’s show, check out these helpful links:


MOVE by Mamamia


Health Direct - Physical Activity Guidelines

GET IN TOUCH

Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.

Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.

Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room.

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok.

THE END BITS

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guests: Dr Jinny Foo, Dr Natasha Andreadis and Dr Isobelle Smith

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Video Producer: Julian Rosario

Social Producer: Elly Moore

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.

Why do some girls start their periods as early as eight years old?&nbsp;
In this episode, Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam take us on a lifetime hormonal tour. We track the journey from the &lsquo;magic and mayhem&rsquo; of puberty to the &lsquo;window of chaos&rsquo; that is perimenopause, exploring how these changing hormones reshape our bodies, our brains, and our moods at every life stage.
We talk to obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Ginny Foo about why periods are starting earlier and what level of pain is actually &lsquo;normal.&rsquo; We also speak with endocrinologist Dr Isabelle Smith about the hormone &lsquo;dump&rsquo; after childbirth, the myth of the testosterone cure-all for libido, and why your &lsquo;stress cup&rsquo; might be overflowing.
Plus, gynaecologist Dr Natasha Andreas joins us to unpack life over 50. We discuss the &lsquo;second puberty&rsquo;, why oestrogen is the ultimate protector of your heart and bones, and the essential health checks every woman needs to stay ahead of the game as her hormones settle into a new normal.
EPISODE RESOURCES
If this episode has raised concerns for you regarding body image, eating disorders, or chronic illness support, the following resources are available:
<ul data-path-to-node="17">
<li>
<a href="https://butterfly.org.au/">Bu</a><a href="https://butterfly.org.au/">tterfly Foundation</a>: Support for eating disorders and body image issues. Call 1800 33 4673.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/">Jean Hailes for Women's Health</a>: A leading resource for PCOS, hormones and women&rsquo;s health.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/membership/benefits/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23595597796&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA_gUl3uVXt44HiaRMQhNy8yRkZRkj&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwj47OBhCmARIsAF5wUEHFZutMq7PIWH2yZXKG2OK4s9U9s2yclgoat11Tw9BkfrCsIVtQiJ4aAlGKEALw_wcB">Diabetes Australia</a>: Information on pre-diabetes management and support.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a>: If you are feeling overwhelmed and need someone to talk to, please call 13 11 14.
</li>
</ul>
And, if you want to learn more about the topics discussed in today&rsquo;s show, check out these helpful links:
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
<a href="https://move.mamamia.com.au/">MOVE by Mamamia</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/fitness-and-exercise">Health Direct - Physical Activity Guidelines</a>
</li>
</ul>
GET IN TOUCH
Sign up to the <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/well-newsletter/">Well Newsletter</a> to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.
Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously <a href="https://jlmf9165xmv.typeform.com/waiting-room?typeform-source=www.mamamia.com.au">here</a>, email here or leave us a voice note <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">here</a>.
Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in <a href="https://jlmf9165xmv.typeform.com/waiting-room?typeform-source=www.mamamia.com.au">The Waiting Room</a>.
Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wellbymamamia/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@wellbymamamia">Tiktok</a>.
THE END BITS
<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe">Support independent women&rsquo;s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber</a>
CREDITS
Hosts: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/clairemurphyyukich/?hl=en">Claire Murphy</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ask.the.dr/?hl=en">Dr Mariam</a>
Guests:&nbsp;Dr Jinny Foo, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dr_tash_the_fanny_mechanic/">Dr Natasha Andreadis</a> and&nbsp;Dr Isobelle Smith
Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best
Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Video Producer: Julian Rosario
Social Producer: Elly Moore
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.

Well is a podcast about the taboo, the annoying, the embarrassing and the scary. We cover the concerns you’re probably considering seeing a doctor about, from insomnia to weird periods to how to prevent dementia. 

The full body health check for the Australian woman, hosted by Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam.

Well. The podcast for every woman with a body. 

Well is a podcast about the taboo, the annoying, the embarrassing and the scary.&nbsp;We cover the concerns you&rsquo;re probably considering seeing a doctor about, from insomnia to weird periods to how to prevent dementia.&nbsp;
The full body health check for the Australian woman, hosted by Claire Murphy&nbsp;and Dr Mariam.
Well. The podcast for every woman with a body.&nbsp;

Well.

Puberty to Perimenopause: Your No‑BS Hormone Survival Guide

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/4e2941f6-0f15-40ee-9327-b41801807486/transcript