Menopause is finally getting the attention — and the science — it deserves. In this Science You Can Use episode of 1,000 Waking Minutes, Dr. Wendy Bazilian explores a meaningful shift in women’s health and what it means for how we move through midlife and beyond.

This episode arrives at a moment when menopause care is being reconsidered — not through fear or outdated assumptions, but through updated evidence and lived experience. As the science evolves, the conversation expands beyond hormones alone to include what women can do, day to day, to feel stronger, steadier, and more at ease in their bodies.

Dr. Bazilian takes a close look at movement — not as a generic recommendation, but as something that works differently during this stage of life. Drawing from three recent research reviews, she examines what the data actually show about physical activity and menopause symptoms, including sleep disruption, mood changes, fatigue, and bone health — as well as where movement helps, and where expectations need to be realistic.

The focus isn’t on finding a perfect routine or doing more for the sake of it. It’s about understanding how the body responds during midlife, choosing forms of movement that make sense now, and using consistency — not intensity — to support both physical and mental well-being.

You’ll also hear how movement fits alongside — not in place of — medical options, why timing matters in menopause care, and how breath, attention, and connection can shape the way healthy habits take hold and endure.

WE DISCUSS:

(0:00) Welcome — why menopause, movement, and this moment in science matter right now

(3:46) The FDA makes announcement to remove black box warning on hormone replacement therapy medications - why now and what it means

(8:03)  Why menopause, movement, and this moment in science matter right now

(9:29) Study #1: Why there’s no single “best” workout in menopause — and what consistently helps symptoms

(14:14) Study #2: How mind-body movement shows up for bone health during midlife

(18:42) Study #3: The link between movement, sleep quality, mood, and fatigue in menopause

(24:30) Practical ways to move through midlife that fit real life

(26:30) Closing reflections on movement as medicine across the 1,000 waking minutes

RESEARCH & REFERENCES

[References will be listed here — placeholder]

CONNECT WITH WENDY:

Follow me on Instagram: @1000WakingMinutes

Visit my website: wendybazilian.com

Email me topics you want covered on the podcast: [email protected]

PLEASE SUPPORT:

If you’re enjoying 1,000 Waking Minutes, help us grow!

Subscribe to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Rate & Review the show. Your feedback helps others find the podcast.

Comment & Join the conversation! Share your thoughts or questions by visiting wendybazilian.com or connecting with me on social media.

Thank you for tuning in to 1,000 Waking Minutes and being part of this journey–together. A huge thank you to our amazing collaborators including our production and marketing teams and Gabriela Escalante in particular. To the ultra-talented Beza for my theme music, my lifelong friend and artist Pearl Preis Photography and Design, to Danielle Ballantyne, Jen Nguyen, Joanna Powell, and of course, my family and everyone working tirelessly behind the scenes.

HEALTH DISCLAIMER:

The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individual medical or health advice. Always consult with your trusted healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or medical treatment.

 REFERENCES

Money, A., MacKenzie, A., Norman, G., et al. (2024). The impact of physical activity and exercise interventions on symptoms for women experiencing menopause: Overview of reviews. BMC Women’s Health, 24(1), 399. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-024-03243-4 

Xu, H., Liu, J., Li, P., & Liang, Y. (2024). Effects of mind-body exercise on perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Menopause, 31(5), 457–467. https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2024/05000/effects_of_mind_body_exercise_on_perimenopausal.13.aspx 

Choudhary, A., & Bansal, K. (2025). Menopause and movement: Exercise for better sleep and psychological well-being — A systematic review. Menopause, 32(11), 1063–1071. https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2025/11000/menopause_and_movement__exercise_for_better_sleep.12.aspx