Dear Menopause

Ever wondered how self-advocacy can transform your healthcare journey (and even your GPs), especially during pivotal life transitions like menopause?
Meet Julie Dutton, affectionately dubbed by her GP as "Patient Zero," after her strong advocacy reshaped Dr Ceri Cashell's career when it came to managing her patients' midlife hormone health.
Jules' tale of moving from England to Australia while pregnant, overcoming postnatal depression and then educating her own GP on the importance of understanding perimenopause, offers more than just a narrative—it's a testament to the power of understanding your own body and standing up for yourself in healthcare settings.
During this generously candid conversation, Jules shares stories of her triumphs and challenges in her mental and menstrual health.
We explore the intricate dance between hormones and lifestyle choices as an unexpected ADHD diagnosis is also tied to her hormonal fluctuations like PMDD, PND and Perimenopause, and the decisions Jules has made, such as quitting alcohol for her well-being.
Jules and I discuss why symptom tracking and seeking second opinions are vital tools in navigating hormonal changes.
With a focus on reshaping the narrative around menopause, this episode encourages you to champion your health stories and leverage your relationship with your doctor to drive change in women's healthcare.
Links:
The Balance App by Dr Louise Newson
Confidence in the Menopause Online Course
For more on women's mental health and neurodiversity - Monash University HER Centre

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Dr Ceri Cashell's journey into improving the menopause care she gave patients, as a GP, was sparked by one patient's suggestion that she learn more about testosterone. This led her to explore and become a vocal champion for the essential role of sex hormones in women's overall well-being.
Join us as we talk through the complexities of menopause care, especially from a GP's perspective. Ceri is passionate about the need for real-world solutions that cater to the diverse and real needs of women globally.
Ceri shares her takeaways from the recent International Menopause Society Symposium we both attended and also shares her reaction to the recommendations tabled from the recent Senate Inquiry.
We delve into exciting innovations in menopause healthcare, including the benefits of Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) for bone, cardiac, and mental health. We also unpack the need for progressive healthcare changes in Australia, specifically improving equity and accessibility to good menopause care and affordable, if not free, medications.
Learn about the new platform for both patients and practitioners that Ceri has co-founded, called Healthy Hormones which is changing the face of menopause education and support for all Australians.
Links:
Healthy Hormones website
So Hot Right Now event - Sydney Opera House 1st March 2025

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"I think that there's a great missed opportunity for trainers, professionals, nutritionists, and coaches to step down off of Mount Olympus and mingle with the mortals."
Ren Jones was raised in a multi-generational female household and heard all the conversations that young men don't usually get exposed to. He learned that there was a cloud of shame associated with menopause and how it was seen historically.

He experienced a powerful reminder of his own mortality when he lost his brother, sister and mother to heart disease, drinking & driving, and cardiovascular issues respectively.
This tragedy led Ren to pursue a career in fitness and wellness, and with it, the realisation of the lack of information available for women's health in comparison to that for men, and hand in hand with that, a lack of empathy.
As a result, Ren dedicated himself to learning the language, reading books, and listening to his mentor's advice on cultural humility in order to understand and empathise with the life he could never live. A women's life.
With an open heart and a dedication to understanding, Ren has since been able to better comprehend the subtlety of the female experience and help others do the same.
In this episode you will learn:
1. Why Ren took a deep dive into the lack of research and resources available to women, now coaching male trainers on their need for more education and understanding of the complexities of women's health.

2. The Power of Human Connection: the impact of sharing one's story and understanding the importance of cultural humility when working with women.
3. The Historical Significance of Menopause: examining how the patriarchy has viewed menopause historically and its influence on the perception of the issue today.
Ren Jones is an online trainer and advocates for women's health, based in North Carolina. He is passionate about educating male trainers on the complexities of training women and creating a more inclusive fitness and wellness industry.
Links:
Ren's Website
Ren on Instagram
Ren on Facebook
The Grief Sisters Podcast
Other Episodes You May Enjoy:
Olivia Park
Amanda Thebe

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"Break the stigma, take a stand - join the movement to normalise being human in the workforce!"
"Share from the scar, not from the wound" - Lou Johnson (not the original source)
Lou Johnson is an almost 55-year-old publishing professional with over 30 years of experience. She is a feminist and advocates for normalising conversations around menopause, menstruation, motherhood and more in the workplace.
Lou wrote an article about menopause, menstruation, life, and work to process her own feelings and to share her lived experiences. The article was published by Women's Agenda and sparked many conversations about the topics, prompting women to reflect on the shame they have experienced and how they could normalise the conversations for others. Through the article, Lou wants to give permission for women to be human both in the workplace and in life and to challenge the traditional gender norms.
In this episode, you will learn the following:

1. What is the power of normalising conversations around menopause and menstruation?
2. How can we create permission to be human in the workplace?
3. What are the ways that gender norms can be challenged and changed?
Resources:
Lou's article: If we don't talk about menstruation, motherhood, mental health, menopause (and the messy in-between of life and work) nothing will ever change.
The Incorrigible Optimists Club - book
Lyndi Cohen Instagram
Your Weight Is Not The Problem - book by Lyndi Cohen

Other episodes you'll enjoy:
Professor Rebecca Mitchell
Shelly Horton

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Worried that you've started drinking too much but know that you're still a long way from needing an intervention?
Rachael Layton went through years of questioning her relationship with alcohol, knowing that she was drinking too much and worried that she was heading down a dangerous path.
While she knew she wasn’t an alcoholic (although that didn’t stop her from occasionally Googling “Am I an alcoholic?”), she also wasn’t someone who was happy with just a glass or two every now and then.
So, what do you do when you feel that alcohol is doing you more harm than good, but you haven’t hit a ‘rock bottom’ where the booze is controlling your life?
You discover the land of the grey-area drinker, and you might be surprised to know that a large percentage of drinkers fall into this category.
When Rachael got to the stage where she didn’t like the direction her drinking was headed, she started looking into why alcohol had such a hold on her. Leading her to learn how to make alcohol small and irrelevant in her life, which has been a game changer.
It’s led to better physical and mental health, new and exciting opportunities, and a whole world of positives that Rachel had not expected.
In this episode, you will hear us discuss:

• How Rachael became concerned that alcohol was impacting her sleep, health, body and mood more than her perimenopause symptoms
• The mindset shifts that Rachael learned helped her rethink her drinking
• Why Rachael embarked on a career change so she can help other women change their relationship with alcohol too

Resources
Rachael's website
Instagram

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy
Normalising sobriety with Sarah Rasbatch
Mindful drinking & challenging the norm with Irene Falcone

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