Dear Menopause
Are you experiencing changes to your physical, mental and emotional health you find hard to explain?
Have you tried talking to your doctor/partner/employer/best friend and been left feeling unsupported?
In this weekly show, host Sonya Lovell interviews a range of experts and shares the stories of everyday people to help you understand what the hell is going on, why and where you can find support, empowerment and most importantly, a like-minded community.
Episodes
127 episodes
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, mobil...
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Season 3
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Episode 127
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25:35
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.<...
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Season 3
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Episode 126
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48:06
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 hear...
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Season 3
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Episode 125
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26:40
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,...
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Season 3
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Episode 124
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29:26
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 natur...
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Season 3
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Episode 123
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25:09
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 a...
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33:08
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.
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Season 3
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Episode 121
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41:20
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 120
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36:59
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 m...
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Season 3
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Episode 119
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10:24
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 oft...
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Season 3
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Episode 117
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14:32
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 corti...
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Season 3
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Episode 117
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52:27
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 116
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38:06
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?P...
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Season 3
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Episode 115
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45:51
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 conversat...
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Season 3
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Episode 114
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29:13
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.• Pharmaceuti...
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Season 3
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Episode 113
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41:36
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 L...
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Season 3
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Episode 112
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40:58
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 i...
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Season 3
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Episode 111
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36:11
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 fro...
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Season 3
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Episode 110
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26:28
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 pract...
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Season 3
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Episode 109
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25:21
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 everything you need to know about Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause...
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Season 3
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Episode 108
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33:04
107: BONUS Hot Take | $573.3M Gov Investment in Women's Health
Could a $573.3 million investment revolutionise menopause health in Australia? Tune in to discover how this historic commitment from the Albanese government is set to transform menopause and perimenopause care across the nation.&nbs...
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Season 3
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Episode 107
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27:06
106: Psychological Support During Menopause with Leanne Mulheron
Leanne Mulheron takes us on an incredible journey from her life on super yachts to becoming a menopause and PMDD specialist therapist. Her personal experience with perimenopause symptoms, like hot flushes and mood swings, became the catalyst fo...
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Season 3
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Episode 106
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36:16
105: Stress Management and Aging Gracefully with Despina Kamper
Join me for a fun and insightful conversation with Despina Kamper, a respected naturopath and nutritionist, as she shares her journey of addressing stress management for women over 40. Discover how stress, rather than just diet, plays a...
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Season 3
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Episode 105
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30:35
104: Hot Take with Sonya and Johanna
In our first Hot Take of 2025, Sonya and Jo share updates from Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and how consumer advocacy was pivotal in the PBAC's decision to recommend Estrogel, Prometrium and Estrogel Pro for the Pharma...
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Season 3
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Episode 104
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39:36
103. An Unexpected Path to Perimenopause Advocacy with Tara Eglington
Tara Eglington generously shares her unexpected journey through perimenopause from the age of 37, highlighting its profound impact on her mental health and daily life. By discussing the challenges she faced—including anxiety, panic atta...
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Season 3
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Episode 103
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36:58