This year has marked a significant shift in how menopause is perceived and discussed, both globally and in our region. We've witnessed a great move towards openness and support.

In Australia we have seen a Senate inquiry into perimenopause and menopause, resulting in 25 recommendations aimed at better supporting women. In New Zealand, we’ve seen organisations like Gender at Work being instrumental in promoting menopause awareness and celebrating World Menopause Day on October 18, 2024, with resources designed to smash stigma and highlight support options.

Globally, high-profile women like Michelle Obama, Naomi Watts, Halle Berry & more, have been candid about their menopause journeys, further normalising the conversation and advocating for increased research and education on menopause.

In addition to this, we talk through some other key highlights including:

• Menopause-inclusive workplace initiatives in New Zealand and beyond.
• Breakthrough research on hormone therapy and its impact on health.
• Lifestyle Implications and the role of active lifestyles in managing menopause symptoms.
• Personal wins, challenges, and reflections from our host, including the success of the embrace Program.
• The M Factor Movie.
• A couple of great books to explore to support your menopause transition & symptoms.

As we wrap up the year, I encourage you to reflect on your wins and lessons learned. We tend to focus on what we didn’t achieve or what went wrong, but let’s focus on what you did do really well, what lessons you learned even if through challenging times and what has this led you to do differently?

What are you ready to leave behind in 2024, and what are your goals for 2025?

Join our community in the Menopause Conversations Facebook group. Here's to thriving in 2025 with even more progress in the Menopause transition space.

🎧 Listen now and celebrate the journey with us.

Were you aware of Australia's Senate inquiry into Menopause over the past few months?

If not, you're not alone.

In today’s episode of Menopause Conversations, I’m joined by Sonya Lovell, an advocate for challenging societal stigmas and taboos, and for promoting better education and resources for all people as they transition through menopause.

Sonya’s journey began at 47 when she experienced induced menopause due to breast cancer treatment. Feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, and under-educated about menopause, Sonya struggled to understand what was happening to her rapidly changing health.

Experiencing anxiety, mild depression, and a host of other physical symptoms, Sonya set off on a mission to understand everything she could about peri-menopause and menopause.

This has led her to recently presenting at the Senate inquiry into Peri-Menopause and Menopause, and she’s here to discuss:

• What a Senate inquiry is and why it was necessary
• What unfolded during the inquiry
• Who participated, including people with lived experiences, health professionals, government bodies, University Representatives
• The key recommendations and next steps

We also explore how every one of us can contribute to ensuring these recommendations are implemented—whether by writing to local and federal representatives or initiating conversations at schools, workplaces, and in our personal lives.

Menopause impacts everyone: over 50% of the population will directly experience the transition, and 100% will feel its ripple effects. By starting conversations and advocating for change, we can make a significant difference for the generations to come.

This inspiring & encouraging episode highlights the power of advocacy, education, and conversation in creating real change.

I encourage you to learn more about Sonya Lovell and what you can do to advocate for change by taking a look at these resources:

• Menopause After Cancer: Sonya Lovell’s Personal Journey
• Dear Menopause Podcast

Want to take action? Download a template to write to your local member and join the movement for better peri-menopause and menopause support: Demand Action on Peri & Menopause! - WellFemme

Be a part of the change you want to see!

Have you found yourself wondering why your body feels off-kilter during the menopause transition? It might be time to look deeper into your gut health.

Imagine your body as a symphony orchestra. Each hormone plays an essential role, but the one conducting the gig is your gut. There is more to your gut than just digestion, it's central to hormone balance.

In this episode of Menopause Conversations we explore how different hormones are influenced by your gut such as:

• Serotonin - Your Feel Good Maestro
• Melatonin - Your Sleep Regulator
• Thyroid Hormones - Your Metabolic Pacesetters
• Oestrogen - Your Feminine Essence

We'll also look at the signs your gut is giving you when it needs help and when it may be time to seek professional help.

If you think your gut is fine, sometimes the signs are more subtle than you expect so I'll share how you can bring your gut and hormones back into harmony.

To top it off, I share some tips to build a sustainable routine.

Consistency is key when it comes to your gut health and when you take care of your gut, every part of your body will follow suit.

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend and if you haven't already, subscribe to the Menopause Conversations Podcast so you never miss an episode.