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 cortisol, and increasing insulin resistance that creates the ideal conditions for stubborn weight gain.

As a GP who retrained in lifestyle medicine after experiencing her own health challenges, Dr. Burns offers a refreshingly honest perspective on why traditional approaches to weight management fail so many midlife women. Using the powerful analogy of a locked woodshed, she explains how high insulin levels essentially padlock your stored fat, making it impossible to access no matter how much you restrict calories or exercise.

What makes this conversation truly valuable is how Dr Burns connects the dots between hormonal changes, metabolic health, and practical lifestyle solutions. She introduces her "six S's for success" – sustenance, sleep, stress management, strength training, sunshine, and social connection – as foundational pillars for reclaiming metabolic health during menopause and beyond.

The discussion takes fascinating turns through hormone therapy considerations, the psychological aspects of food addiction, and why so many of us grew up alternating between strict dieting and giving up entirely. Throughout, Dr Burns maintains that improving metabolic health should be the primary goal, with weight loss simply being "a happy side effect" of addressing the underlying hormonal imbalances.

If you're exhausted by diet culture but still concerned about your health during menopause, this episode offers a science-based approach that works with your changing physiology rather than against it. Discover why muscle is your "metabolic organ," how stress impacts your ability to lose weight, and practical steps to break free from the metabolic challenges of midlife.

Ready to stop blaming yourself and start understanding the real science behind menopausal weight changes? Listen now and discover why it's time to focus on metabolic health, not just the number on the scale.

Links:

Real Life Medicine Website

The Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast

Real Life Medicine - Instagram

Real Life Medicine - Facebook

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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 into why cognitive symptoms during perimenopause may signal more than just typical hormone fluctuations.

For many women, perimenopause becomes the unexpected moment when long-overlooked neurodivergent traits suddenly demand attention. "About 98% of people said their ADHD symptoms became worse across those perimenopausal years." 

Even more revealing, numerous women receive their first ADHD diagnosis during midlife, despite having experienced symptoms since childhood. This raises questions about why these conditions often go unrecognised, particularly in women, until hormonal shifts disrupt longstanding coping mechanisms.

Listen in to learn more about Estrogen's protective effects on dopamine - a neurotransmitter central to ADHD - which diminishes during perimenopause, potentially unmasking symptoms that were previously manageable. 

Beyond ADHD, A/Prof Gurvich discusses how autism, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent conditions may present differently during menopause, and the compelling connections between PMDD, perinatal depression, and neurodivergence.

Whether you've wondered about undiagnosed ADHD, experienced increasing cognitive challenges during perimenopause, or simply want to understand the fascinating intersection between hormones and brain function, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical guidance. 

Listen now to better understand your changing brain and discover strategies to thrive during this transformative life stage.

Links:
HER Centre
HER Centre - Cognition and Hormones
MENO-D Assessment Scale to detect depression in menopause

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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?

Pharmacist and nutritionist Sarah Gray brings her dual expertise to this conversation, offering practical guidance for navigating the overwhelming world of supplementation. 

Unlike most health professionals who specialise in either conventional medicine or natural approaches, Sarah bridges both worlds, providing uniquely balanced insights into what supplements might actually benefit women in midlife.

This episode delivers specific, actionable advice you can use immediately. Learn the simple trick for identifying quality supplements (look for the AUST-L or AUST-R code), understand which baseline blood tests you should request from your doctor, and discover why blindly following supplement trends can waste your money and potentially harm your health. 

Sarah warns against the common practice of continuously adding supplements without removing any, explaining how this can lead to accidental overuse of certain nutrients.

We take a deep dive into the essential blood work every midlife woman should request annually. Sarah explains how certain symptoms commonly attributed to perimenopause could signal nutritional deficiencies that won't necessarily improve with hormone therapy.

And you don't want to miss our discussion about Creatine - arguably the most evidence-backed supplement for women in midlife - which offers benefits for muscle strength, mood regulation, and the immune system.

Take control of your health by understanding exactly what your body needs rather than what clever marketing suggests you buy. Your journey through perimenopause and beyond deserves an evidence-based approach to supplementation that works.

Links

Sarah Gray - Nutrition Pharmacist website

Sarah on Instagram

Sarah on Facebook

The Benefits of Creatine by Dr Mary Claire Haver

Why Creatine Matters for Women 40+ by Harvard Lifestyle Medicine

Effects of six-month creatine supplementation on patient- and clinician-reported outcomes, and tissue creatine levels in patients with post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome

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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 conversation sheds light on how women often normalise suffering through periods that drastically impact their quality of life.

The discussion reveals shocking statistics: 25% of women experience heavy menstrual bleeding, yet more than half never seek medical help. 

Dr. Uppal provides clear indicators of abnormal bleeding – passing large clots, changing protection every 1-2 hours, waking at night to change, using multiple protection types simultaneously, and embarrassing "flooding" episodes. These symptoms can lead to iron deficiency, anaemia, and significant quality of life impacts.

Learn about the spectrum of treatment options, from medications like Tranexamic Acid to the highly effective Mirena IUD and surgical interventions including endometrial ablation. She emphasises that most women find significant relief once properly treated, with many asking, "Why didn't I have this earlier? Why did I suffer so much?"

Perhaps most powerful is the exploration of how heavy bleeding becomes normalised at multiple levels – by women themselves, healthcare providers who don't offer full treatment options, and society that suggests women should simply endure until menopause. This normalisation condemns many to years of unnecessary suffering when effective solutions exist.

The conversation offers practical advice for women seeking help, emphasising the importance of advocating for yourself and being knowledgeable about available options. 

Have you been suffering in silence? This conversation might be the catalyst for transforming your quality of life. Listen, learn, and advocate for your menstrual health.

Resources
Women's Health Road Clinic - website
Women's Health Road - Instagram
Women's Health Road - Linkedin

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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.

• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) now includes Estrogel, Prometrium, and Estrogel Pro (as of March 1st), with Slinder joining May 1st

• PBS prescriptions require specific coding - you may need a new prescription to access subsidised pricing

• FDA removed warnings from testosterone in the USA, highlighting the need for Australia to update outdated warnings on vaginal estrogen products

• The "So Hot Right Now" Medical Conference created an inclusive learning environment for healthcare providers to discuss menopause care

• Government funding for GP education ($1.5 million) lacks sufficient scope and evaluation mechanisms

• Dr. Lisa Mosconi leading a $50 million research program to reduce Alzheimer's in women by studying the relationship between protective hormones and brain health

• Jo launches Sheela Consulting - Unapologetic Advocacy, focusing on women's health policy and advocacy

If you've missed any of our expert conversations over the past two years, go back and listen, and please share them with anyone who needs this information.

To listen to my previous episode and interview with Assistant Minister Ged Kearney, please head to episode 110.

Links:

Johanna Wicks - LinkedIn

So Hot Right Now Medical Conference

Dr Lisa Mosconi - CARE funding

Australian Government $573M funding

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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 Lee joins me in this episode to masterfully unpack the evolution of desire through midlife, challenging our cultural fixation on "loss of libido" by revealing how desire simply changes form. 

Sexual communication can feel particularly challenging during menopause, when changing bodies and shifting desires create vulnerability. Laura provides practical strategies for starting these conversations without the paralysing pressure many couples feel. Rather than dreading "the talk," she suggests sharing resources, expressing genuine curiosity, and validating one another's experiences to foster meaningful dialogue about evolving needs.

Perhaps most thought provoking is Laura's invitation to expand our sexual menu beyond the narrow, penetration-focused definition of sex that dominates cultural narratives. By embracing a broader understanding of sexual connection—from sensual touch to passionate kissing—we create more opportunities to say "yes" to pleasure, even as our bodies change. This expansion allows us to discover new pathways to pleasure uniquely suited to our midlife bodies.

Ready to transform how you think about sex during menopause? Listen now to discover how this transition can become not an ending but the beginning of your most authentic sexual experience yet.

Links:

Laura's website

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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 in our vulnerable journeys through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and what life looks like on the other side. 

And what it took for us to get there.

You will hear a candid conversation about the weight of expectations, mental health struggles, and the often-overlooked challenges faced during recovery and the complexities of an induced menopause. 

We unpack the power of radical acceptance, the coaches that support us with this and the crucial role of community support in healing. 

Shari’s insights reflect her experience of resilience and adaptability that resonates beyond her personal story, advocating for shared experiences among women facing similar challenges. 

Join the conversation and break the silence around these essential topics. 

Remember to subscribe, share, and leave a review! Your feedback helps me support others on their journeys.

Links:

Shari Todd on Instagram

Tactic Nutrition on Instagram

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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 from her extensive background in nursing and women's health advocacy. 

As we explore the various components of this funding package, Ged discusses critical advancements aimed at transforming menopause care, addressing gender disparities in the health system, and fostering community awareness about healthcare needs.

We unpack the elimination of barriers related to long-acting contraceptives, funding for additional endometriosis, pelvic pain and menopause clinics, and the emphasis on educating healthcare professionals to provide better perimenopause and menopause care for women. 

This episode offers a deep look into the shifts occurring within healthcare policy and the need for comprehensive support services designed for women navigating challenges in their midlife health. 

Don't miss the chance to learn more about how these initiatives can empower women across the nation and how your vote at election time can secure this support.

To be part of the conversation, subscribe, share this episode, and join my mission to raise awareness around women's menopausal health.

Links:

Health Package Details

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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 practical insights, Dr. Newson sheds light on the evolving landscape of menopause awareness, specifically in Australia. 

You will hear about her journey from a career in pathology and cancer medicine to becoming a leading advocate for menopause education. Together, we discuss the highly anticipated "So Hot Right Now" event at the iconic Sydney Opera House, a groundbreaking occasion focused on perimenopause and menopause education.

Our discussion travels through the critical need for a patient-centered approach to hormone therapy, emphasising the importance of adapting medical education to meet real-world health challenges. With personal anecdotes and teaching experiences from Birmingham University, we dive into the intersection of scientific research and practical application, particularly in managing menopausal symptoms and future health risks. 

Dr Newson addresses common misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy and the need for greater accessibility to medical literature, empowering women to make informed health decisions.

This episode brings you a blend of expert insights, personal experiences, and a heartfelt anticipation for inspiring shared journeys.

Links:

Dr Louise Newson - website

So Hot Right Now - live stream tickets

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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 (GSM), highlighting the critical need for understanding and treating these symptoms beyond conventional methods like antibiotics for urinary tract infections.

We dissect the FDA's boxed warnings on estrogen medications, which we also have here in Australia, leading to widespread confusion and at times, fear. 

Unpacking the misconceptions surrounding these warnings, particularly the safety of vaginal estrogen, drawing parallels with other regulated substances like alcohol. We also shine a light on testosterone use, unraveling the stigma and biases, especially in countries like Australia, and advocating for a more informed approach to women's health. This episode promises to equip you with the knowledge to challenge outdated views and navigate the evolving dynamics of hormone therapy.

We wrap up by celebrating the powerful advocacy work being done for menopausal women globally, focusing on events in Australia and the ongoing battle against entrenched interests. 

Tune in to be inspired and informed about the promising future for women's health!

Links:

Dr Kelly Casperson - website

You Are Not Broken - podcast

You Are Not Broken - book

So Hot Right Now - Livestream Tickets

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