Menopause isn’t just a hormone cliff, it’s a whole-body turning point that exposes every habit, stressor and system you’ve been carrying for decades. I’m joined by women’s health expert Susan Hunter, who brings 20 plus years of clinical pattern recognition to the perimenopause and menopause conversation, with a refreshingly grounded take: test where it counts, treat the woman in front of you, and stop chasing one-size-fits-all fixes.

We start with Vitex (chaste tree) and get specific about the symptom pictures that make it shine, especially PMS patterns like breast tenderness, fluid retention, cravings, mood shifts and sleep changes. Susan shares the key pathology markers she leans on, including peak luteal progesterone, LH to FSH patterns, prolactin, cortisol and DHEAS, plus the red flags that make Vitex a poor choice. We also talk timing, what “working” looks like over two to three cycles, and how to use planned breaks when Vitex is part of longer-term perimenopause support.

Then we zoom out to the foundations of midlife health: protein, muscle mass, bone density and brain function. Susan explains why creatine monohydrate has moved well beyond the gym floor, how she uses it for strength, recovery and cognitive symptoms like brain fog, and how to think about dosing in a practical way. We finish by naming the underestimated driver behind so many midlife symptoms: chronic stress and cortisol, and the simple nervous system tools that actually help women feel steady again.

If you found this helpful, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share it with a friend who’s navigating perimenopause, and leave a review to help more women find the show. What’s the one midlife change you want explained properly?

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


Register as a Designs for Health Practitioner and discover quality practitioner- only supplements at www.designsforhealth.com.au

Follow us on Socials

Instagram: Designsforhealthaus

Facebook: Designsforhealthaus

DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health