Menopause Matters (HCF)

Menopause Matters Episode 3

Menopause and your sex life: Reclaiming your relationship

Keeping your relationship and sex life thriving while dealing with hot flushes, sleepless nights and fluctuating moods in menopause can feel like an impossible task.

In this episode, host Alison Brahe-Daddo talks to sex and relationship therapist Jacqueline Hellyer, who delivers sage advice on why women need to reframe the way we think about sex during and after menopause: “It comes down to what is pleasure for you? What makes YOU feel good?”

Jacqueline shares her advice on how to open up to your partner about what’s going on during perimenopause, how to create ‘micro connections’ throughout the day and why it’s time to honour the female body as the powerful miracle it is.

This episode of Menopause Matters is brought to you by HCF, Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund.
 
Guest bio: Jacqueline Hellyer is a sex and relationship therapist and founder of the LoveLife Clinic in Sydney. She’s been working with individuals and couples for nearly 20 years.

For more on Jacqueline, follow her on Instagram @jacqueline.hellyer and visit her website https://www.jacquelinehellyer.com/

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

This podcast contains general health information and shouldn’t be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn’t endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/navigating-parenthood

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Menopause Matters Episode 2

Menopause symptoms: Getting help and finding solutions

Host Alison Brahe-Daddo speaks to Dr Elizabeth Farrell, a gynaecologist and medical director of Jean Hailes for Women's Health with a deep knowledge of hormones, HRT/MHT and why your brain and body can behave differently in the lead up to and during menopause.

In this episode, we discuss what’s going on when your cycle suddenly becomes irregular or heavier, getting help for symptoms including hot flushes and brain fog, how to take care of your midlife mental health, and the top questions to take to your GP to get the best healthcare plan during perimenopause.
 
Menopause Matters is brought to you by HCF, Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund.

Guest bio: Dr Elizabeth Farrell is a gynaecologist and medical director of Jean Hailes for Women's Health. She was one of the driving forces that established the Jean Hailes Foundation in 1992 and is recognised worldwide for her expertise in menopause management.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

This podcast contains general health information and shouldn’t be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn’t endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Want to know more?

Here are some of the studies and statistics we mentioned in this episode.

The Nurses' Health Study (NHS) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27459450/

Women’s Health Initiative study https://bywinona.com/journal/womens-health-initiative-study-summary

Listen to HCF's Navigating Parenthood podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Menopause Matters Episode 1

Perimenopause: How do I know this is it?

In our first episode, host Alison Brahe-Daddo talks to Dr Fatima Khan, a perimenopause and menopause specialist with a holistic approach to women's physical emotional and mental wellbeing.

Dr Kahn sheds light on the difference between perimenopause and menopause, how getting a handle on your stress can make a big difference to your perimenopause symptoms, why early symptoms of perimenopause can often be related to your mental health, how to know if this is really ‘it’ and treatment options.

Menopause Matters is brought to you by HCF, Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund.

Guest bio: Dr Fatima Khan is a highly experienced perimenopause and menopause specialist at Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital. She’s passionate about helping women understand perimenopause and menopause, and the impact it has on women’s physical and mental health.

For more on Dr Khan, follow her on Instagram @menopausespecialist

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

This podcast contains general health information and shouldn’t be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn’t endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Want to know more?

Here are some of the studies and statistics we mentioned in this episode.

Evernow Menopause Study https://www.evernow.com/menopause-study

How sex hormones affect neurotransmitters and shape the adult female brain during hormonal transition periods https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4335177/

Listen to HCF's Navigating Parenthood Podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Menopause Matters Episode 5

Menopause and nutrition: Foods to manage your symptoms

With so many changes that may occur in your body, from dry eyes, hair loss and itchy skin, to night sweats and weight gain, perimenopause and menopause can feel like an overwhelming time. But menopause can also be a great awakening to all of the lifestyle habits that no longer serve you, and can help you shift to a better way of eating and moving your body.

In this episode, host Alison Brahe-Daddo chats to Emma Bardwell, a nutritionist who specialises in menopause, about why this isn’t the time to be trying drastic diets and the importance of strength training for all women.

Emma talks about what to eat to help you reduce and manage your symptoms, demystifies phytoestrogens, and shares her tips on reducing menopause bloating and weight gain. 

Menopause Matters is brought to you by HCF, Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund.
 
Guest bio: Emma Bardwell is a nutritionist who specialises in menopause, and author of The Perimenopause Solution. She blends nutritional sciences, diet therapy and behaviour change to help women celebrate, and not fear, the menopause transition.

For more on Emma, follow her on Instagram @emma.bardwell and visit her website https://www.emmabardwell.com/

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

This podcast contains general health information and shouldn’t be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn’t endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Want to know more?

Here's the study we mentioned in this episode.

Womens Study to Alleviate Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04587154

Listen to HCF's Navigating Parenthood podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Menopause Matters Episode 4

Menopause and the workplace: Starting the conversation

You’re in the middle of a work meeting and feel a hot flush coming on. How do you handle it? Many women struggle in silence with perimenopause symptoms at work and that’s part of the problem, says Thea O’Connor, a menopause in the workplace specialist who wants to break the stigma and normalise the conversation with managers and employees. 

In this episode, host Alison Brahe-Daddo chats to Thea about why we need to talk about menopause in the workplace. Thea calls out simple adjustments businesses can make to support women during this time of life, including giving you flexible work breaks and support if you're sleep deprived. Find out why being menopause friendly can benefit everyone at work.

Menopause Matters is brought to you by HCF, Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund.

Guest bio: Thea O’Connor is a wellbeing and productivity advisor and coach, and the creator of the Menopause@Work training program.

For more on Thea, visit her website https://www.thea.com.au/

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

This podcast contains general health information and shouldn’t be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn’t endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Want to know more?

Here are some of the studies and statistics we mentioned in this episode.

20% of women experience no symptoms and 20% of women experience severe symptoms during menopause https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms

One in 10 women have quit their job due to menopause https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/menopause-women-quit-jobs-hrt-b2069754.html

Menopause and the workplace report https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/menopauseandtheworkplace

Mental health affects 1 in 5 people https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health

1 in 3 Australians are not getting enough sleep https://au.yougov.com/news/2019/03/21/one-three-australians-not-getting-enough-sleep/

Listen to HCF's Navigating Parenthood podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Menopause Matters Episode 6

Post-menopause upsides: Embracing your second act

Join host Alison Brahe-Daddo as she shares a delightfully hilarious and informative chat about the unexpected upsides of life after menopause with Puberty Blues author, Kathy Lette and comedian, actor and author of You’re Still Hot To Me, Jean Kittson.

In this episode, we change the pace and move on from hot flushes and haywire hormones to take a look at what life looks like once you come out the other side of menopause. Kathy and Jean share their personal stories of managing menopause and relationships and why, when the sweats stop, you’re in for the time of your life.

Guest bios:
Kathy Lette is an outspoken comic writer and author of 15 best-selling novels, including Puberty Blues, HRT (Husband Replacement Therapy) and Mad Cows.

For more on Kathy, follow her on Twitter @KathyLette and visit her website
https://www.kathylette.com/

Jean Kittson is an actor, comedian and author whose book You’re Still Hot to Me recounted her own experience dealing with menopause and finding joy on the other side.

For more on Jean, go to https://www.jeankittson.com.au/

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

This podcast contains general health information and shouldn’t be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn’t endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/navigating-parenthood

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the podcast series Menopause Matters, where host and author of Queen Menopause, Alison Brahe-Daddo speaks with experts to empower you with information, unpacks your questions about what menopause is like and explains how to manage the rollercoaster of perimenopause and menopause. 

Every woman's menopause experience is different, and knowledge is power when it comes to caring for your physical and mental health and wellbeing during this time. Speaking with experts in the fields of gynaecology, sex and relationship therapy, nutrition, work and much more, Alison tackles the issues faced by many women during this life stage, bringing you information, tips, guidance and support.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://www.hcf.com.au/podcast/menopause-matters

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.