Over the last four weeks on Well, we've explored all things peri and menopause. We've looked at the science and the symptoms and done some HRT/ MHT myth busting, alongside answering loads of questions from you in the Well community.

We hear from Naomi Watts, one of the most iconic and accomplished actors of her generation. She's starring in a new role…the role of author and advocate and innovator for menopausal women.

She’s written an incredible new book, Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause. But before she could write it - she had to wrestle with the strong sense of shame she carried around her own experiences - which she shares with Mia Freedman in this special conversation.

You can find Naomi’s book, Dare I Say It, here.

You can follow Naomi on Instagram, here. 

  

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Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here.

Discover more Mamamia podcasts here.

 

CREDITS:

Host: Mia Freedman

You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

 

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.

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

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.

 

 

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TMI? We don’t know her…! Welcome to the sh*t show! In this peri special episode, our host Claire Murphy sits down with journalist, author and your ‘Peri Godmother’ Shelly Horton to gossip about perimenopause. So, if this topic is lighting up your group chats, you’re in the right place… 

Shelly shares her unfiltered and raw story of being completely blindsided by perimenopause, from debilitating depression and anxiety to the armageddon period of all periods where she bled for 42 weeks of the year. 

Claire and Shelly play a round of "symptom bingo," and discuss Shelly’s harrowing story of how peri unleashed a crisis of confidence that went far beyond imposter syndrome. She tells all about this period of feeling her professional identity crumble while battling brain fog, anxiety and exhaustion.

They also explore the crucial need for workplace education and the frustrating experience of being dismissed by doctors. AND they share how to find your "menopausal zest"—that incredible, freeing feeling that comes from joining the "we do not care club" and refusing to become invisible. 

This is a must-listen for evidence-based information wrapped in a story of resilience, humour, and the power of the sisterhood.

THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

You can follow Shelly on Instagram and find out more about her book, I'm Your Peri Godmother: A happily-ever-after guide to kicking perimenopause in the ovaries.

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.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy 

Guest: Shelly Horton 

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

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.

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Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From hot flushes to brain fog. Hormones to headaches. Ask us anything. We’ve got you covered. 

In this episode, Dr Mariam and Claire Murphy tackle your most pressing questions about the menopausal transition. They begin by reframing this stage of life and looking at how other cultures (even some of the animal kingdom) view post-reproductive years as a time of renewal, leadership, wisdom and strength.

They talk to the experts to answer questions about whether it's ever too late to start MHT, if those hot flushes in your 30s could be a sign of perimenopause, and what to do if you’re worried your brain fog is actually dementia. 

They also discuss peri-anxiety. Why you might be losing your hair in your 40s. And, what is the correct way to apply estrogen gel?

Plus, can you still get pregnant during perimenopause, and is MHT the same as birth control?

THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

For information on brain fog, Dr Sonia Davison recommends Memory Wise by Dr Anne Unkenstein. For information on patterned hair loss she recommends the Better Health Channel patterned hair loss information sheet. 

For more information on perimenopause and menopause, navigate to the Australasian Menopausal Society, the Endocrine Society, the International Menopause Society and Jean Hailes For Women’s Health. 

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.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guests: Dr Sonia Davison; Professor Rodney Baber 

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

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.

 

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Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does your endometriosis put you at a higher risk of early menopause? Did a pig castrator really perform the first-ever C-section? And if you've had a hysterectomy, do you still need to see a gynaecologist?

In this episode, we talk to Professor Susan Davis, a founder of Jean Hailes for Women's Health and past president of the Australasian Menopause Society, to find out what's fact and what's fiction when it comes to the science of perimenopause. 

We unravel common myths, including “disappearing labia” and talk about why some things you're being sold on social media - like weighted vests and special supplements -  may not be as miraculous as they might seem.

Plus, we talk about the latest research on delaying the onset of menopause and why it might not be a good idea for everybody.

THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

For more information on perimenopause and menopause, Professor Susan Davis and Dr Mariam recommend the Australasian Menopausal Society, the Endocrine Society, the International Menopause Society and Jean Hailes For Women’s Health. 

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.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guest: Professor Susan Davis 

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

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.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do we now know about HRT and is it a safe way to manage peri/menopause symptoms? We go to Med School to find out if an ear piercing could help to relieve migraines. And in our Quick Consult, we help listener Meg with her ‘bleedy bottom’ haemorrhoid problem. 

In this episode, we talk to Professor Rodney Baber, to unpack the myths and misinformation around Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), now commonly referred to as MHT (Menopause Hormonal Therapy). 

We discuss the infamous Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) 2002 study, which caused widespread fear around HRT/MHT and breast cancer, and explore what we know now about the safety of HRT/MHT.

Plus, why Gen X and Millennial women are approaching menopause differently from previous generations.

THE END BITS

Started HRT and felt worse? It's not in your head. Check out this Instagram reel. 

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

For more information on perimenopause and menopause, Dr Mariam recommends the Australian Menopause Society website. You can download their symptom score sheet here.

You can also find information relating to the topics discussed in this episode at the Endocrine Society and the International Menopause Society.

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.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber.

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guest: Dr Sonia Davison 

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy, Sasha Tannock and Sally Best

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.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After US President Donald Trump and his Health Secretary RFJ Jnr announced that women shouldn't take Tylenol as it has been linked with increase in children being diagnosed with autism diagnosis, women all of a sudden had a new thing to be worried about.

But when you look at the actual science these claims are made on, you'll feel much better, because the studies show that this in't the case.

THE END BITS

Support independent women's media

Check out The Quicky Instagram here

Listen to Morning Tea celebrity headlines here

GET IN TOUCH
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at [email protected]

CREDITS

Host: Claire Murphy 

Guest: Dr Scott White

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

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.

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

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.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is perimenopause more than hot flushes and night sweats? We go to Med School to find out if your breasts are not the only place that you can lactate from. And in our Quick Consult, why do we keep falling for the “sweet trap” of late-night junk food?  

In this episode, we talk to Dr Sonia Davison, an endocrinologist at the Jean Hailes Medical Centre and Past President of the Australian Menopause Society, to explore the long and unusual list of perimenopause symptoms - from dry vaginas, irritating itchiness and UTIs to vertigo and that pesky chin hair growth. 

We also discuss why doctors don’t rely on hormone tests to diagnose perimenopause and what’s really happening in your body during this ‘period of chaos’. 

Plus, why perimenopause can put a huge strain on relationships and how our partners can support us with open conversations about intimacy and emotional closeness. 

THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

For more information on bone density Dr Sonia Davison recommends: Healthy Bones Australia

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.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber.

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guest: Dr Sonia Davison 

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy, Sasha Tannock and Sally Best

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.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you find yourself wide awake at 3 a.m? Ever wondered what it’s really like to live with chronic insomnia? Then this episode is for you...

This week, in our Well special episode, we sit down with our Mamamia colleague Annaliese Todd, who shares her deeply personal and decades-long struggle with sleep. 

From pregnancy-induced insomnia, to the crippling sleep deprivation that accompanied her diagnosis with depression, Annaliese opens up about the raw reality of chasing sleep every single night. 

She discusses how insomnia has impacted her mental health, her parenting and her daily life, describing the feeling of being detatched from her own body and the world around her. 

Annaliese also explores the treatments she’s tried—from meditation music to medication—and the constant fear of the long-term health consequences of sleep deprivation.

And, she gives all our fellow listeners her straight-talking advice of when to seek help with your sleep. 

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THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

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.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy 

Guest: Annaliese Todd

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

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.

 

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Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you’re feeling exhausted - like so many of us are - what do you do? Most of us think we need more sleep. But, it turns out, sleep and rest are not the same thing. In fact, we can be tired in different ways, and each one of those ways requires a different kind of rest.

In this episode of No Filter, Mia talks to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith about the 7 different kinds of rest that will prevent you from burning out and help you show up to your life with all the energy you need.

Take Saundra’s Free Rest Quiz here.

Saundra’s book “Sacred Rest: is available here.

THE END BITS:

Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here.

Discover more Mamamia podcasts here.

Feedback: [email protected]

Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will come back to you ASAP.

Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.  

CREDITS:

Host: Mia Freedman

You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.

Producers: Kimberley Braddish & Naima Brown

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

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.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From sleep deprivation to sleep eating. Napping to teeth grinding. Ask us anything. We’ve got you covered. 

In this episode, Dr Mariam and Claire Murphy answer all your questions about sleep and go through the four stages. They discuss what sleep deprivation does to you physically and mentally and how changing hormones can stop you getting a good night’s rest.

They talk to the experts to answer questions about how to conquer insomnia without drugs, how to fall asleep and stay asleep and whether not being able to sleep is inevitable as you get older.

They also discuss whether teeth grinding impacts your sleep quality, why you do that weird jump thing when you’re dozing off and how exactly to let thoughts ‘pass you by’ when trying to meditate.

Also, how common is sleep eating and is sexsomnia actually a real thing?

THE END BITS

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

For more information on sleep including a list of providers of CBTi:

Sleep Health Foundation

Sleep Central 

For more information on meditation and mindfulness: 

Headspace

Smiling Mind

Calm

The Happier App

MOVE by Mamamia has guided mindfulness and meditations

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.

Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber

CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guests: Dr Kathleen Maddison; Dr Jen Walsh; Dr Richard Chambers;

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sasha Tannock

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

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.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.