Dear Menopause
Sonya Lovell
Are you experiencing changes to your physical, mental and emotional health you find hard to explain?
Have you tried talking to your doctor/partner/employer/best friend and been left feeling unsupported?
In this weekly show, host Sonya Lovell interviews a range of experts and shares the stories of everyday people to help you understand what the hell is going on, why and where you can find support, empowerment and most importantly, a like-minded community.
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Top 10 Dear Menopause Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Dear Menopause episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Dear Menopause for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Dear Menopause episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
92: Menopausal Skin Care: A Dermatologist's Guide
Dear Menopause
02/15/24 • 27 min
Menopause can leave many women feeling dry, itchy and irritated particularly when it comes to changes in skin health.
Join me as Dr Shreya Andric, a leading dermatologist who also specialises in vulvar dermatology, shares her expertise on how declining estrogen and progesterone influence our skin during perimenopause and postmenopause.
Dr Andric shares tips on embracing gentle skincare routines to maintain your skin's vitality and resilience.
Our chat offers a compassionate guide for women to face these skin challenges confidently and with a little less dryness!
Key Points Discussed:
Dr. Andric's Approach: Dr. Andric shares her expertise on embracing gentle skincare routines during these transitional years.
Genital Skin Health: A crucial yet sensitive topic, Dr.Andric highlights the importance of recognising symptoms early and seeking professional medical advice.
Resources:
North Shore Dermatology
Dr Shreya Andric's Instagram
Dr Shreya Andric's Website
Only Murders In The Building - Disney+
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78: Navigating Perimenopause Nutrition with Ange Clark
Dear Menopause
11/09/23 • 56 min
What exactly should your plate look like during perimenopause?
This week, Ange Clark joins me to unravel the complex world of perimenopausal nutrition. A powerhouse in the field we dive into the far-reaching effects of low energy availability on the female body, and how to tackle the inevitable midlife weight gain with the right diet and exercise balance.
We don't shy away from discussing the elephant in the room - the physiological, emotional, and mental effects of estrogen decline during perimenopause. Ange lends her expert insights on how to fight these changes through diet, resistance training, and more.
We also spotlight the critical role of high-quality proteins during this phase and point you toward the best sources of these proteins. Add in a generous sprinkling of Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids, and you've got a recipe for a healthy and balanced perimenopausal plate.
But there's more to it than just what we eat.
We discuss how hydration is often the overlooked hero during the perimenopausal period. From why salt is crucial for absorption to the benefits of drinking water with meals and how to remind ourselves to stay hydrated, we cover it all.
As we wrap up, we provide a comprehensive look at women's nutrition during perimenopause - the key nutrients required, how to include them in your diet, and when to opt for supplementation.
Buckle up, it's time for an enlightening journey with Ange and me into the world of perimenopausal nutrition.
Connect with Ange:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
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10/06/22 • 33 min
Amanda Thebe is a force and someone I have admired for a long time. Recording our chat was a whole lot of fun, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Amanda is a Fitness and Women’s Health Expert, and the author of the Amazon best-selling book, Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too! With nearly 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, Amanda is a highly-regarded expert on women’s fitness and health.
She is Canada’s first menopause coach and educator. Through menopause advocacy and education, Amanda provides on-site or virtual presentations in the workplace to improve productivity, retention and attendance for female employees. Helping companies to normalise the conversation around menopause and provide support which impacts 100% of their female employees.
Amanda has lived in the UK, Canada and the USA, and has been exposed to all the healthcare systems, her book is a best-seller in these countries.
Currently working collaboratively on a model for the future of menopause care, niah. Listen in to learn how this model evolved and their exciting plans for the future.
Connect with Amanda:
Website | AmandaThebe.com
Instagram | www.instagram.com/amanda.thebe
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/amandathebex
Twitter | https://twitter.com/amandathebex
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-thebe/
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/c/AmandaThebex
Podcast | www.amandathebe.com/podcast
Grab Amanda's 12 Week Core Program, ABS ON FIRE | https://www.amandathebe.com/abs-on-fire/
BOOK | Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too!
www.amandathebe.com/books
We talked about:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - book
Where to find Sonya:
Instagram
Facebook
Take the Midlife Quiz
Stellar Women Website
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112: Sex Doesn't End at Menopause with Laura Lee
Dear Menopause
03/13/25 • 40 min
What happens to our sexuality during menopause? Far from signalling an end to pleasure and intimacy, this transition offers an unexpected opportunity for sexual rediscovery and deeper connection.
Psychologist and sexologist Laura Lee joins me in this episode to masterfully unpack the evolution of desire through midlife, challenging our cultural fixation on "loss of libido" by revealing how desire simply changes form.
Sexual communication can feel particularly challenging during menopause, when changing bodies and shifting desires create vulnerability. Laura provides practical strategies for starting these conversations without the paralysing pressure many couples feel. Rather than dreading "the talk," she suggests sharing resources, expressing genuine curiosity, and validating one another's experiences to foster meaningful dialogue about evolving needs.
Perhaps most thought provoking is Laura's invitation to expand our sexual menu beyond the narrow, penetration-focused definition of sex that dominates cultural narratives. By embracing a broader understanding of sexual connection—from sensual touch to passionate kissing—we create more opportunities to say "yes" to pleasure, even as our bodies change. This expansion allows us to discover new pathways to pleasure uniquely suited to our midlife bodies.
Ready to transform how you think about sex during menopause? Listen now to discover how this transition can become not an ending but the beginning of your most authentic sexual experience yet.
Links:
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04/17/25 • 52 min
Have you ever wondered why weight creeps on during menopause, despite your best efforts?
Dr Lucy Burns pulls back the curtain on what she calls the "metabolic triad of menopause" – a perfect storm of declining estrogen, rising cortisol, and increasing insulin resistance that creates the ideal conditions for stubborn weight gain.
As a GP who retrained in lifestyle medicine after experiencing her own health challenges, Dr. Burns offers a refreshingly honest perspective on why traditional approaches to weight management fail so many midlife women. Using the powerful analogy of a locked woodshed, she explains how high insulin levels essentially padlock your stored fat, making it impossible to access no matter how much you restrict calories or exercise.
What makes this conversation truly valuable is how Dr Burns connects the dots between hormonal changes, metabolic health, and practical lifestyle solutions. She introduces her "six S's for success" – sustenance, sleep, stress management, strength training, sunshine, and social connection – as foundational pillars for reclaiming metabolic health during menopause and beyond.
The discussion takes fascinating turns through hormone therapy considerations, the psychological aspects of food addiction, and why so many of us grew up alternating between strict dieting and giving up entirely. Throughout, Dr Burns maintains that improving metabolic health should be the primary goal, with weight loss simply being "a happy side effect" of addressing the underlying hormonal imbalances.
If you're exhausted by diet culture but still concerned about your health during menopause, this episode offers a science-based approach that works with your changing physiology rather than against it. Discover why muscle is your "metabolic organ," how stress impacts your ability to lose weight, and practical steps to break free from the metabolic challenges of midlife.
Ready to stop blaming yourself and start understanding the real science behind menopausal weight changes? Listen now and discover why it's time to focus on metabolic health, not just the number on the scale.
Links:
The Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast
Real Life Medicine - Instagram
Real Life Medicine - Facebook
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01/04/24 • 41 min
When Sheree Hargreaves was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency at just 15, it reshaped her teenage years in unexpected ways.
Sheree, now 22, shares her courageous story, navigating early menopause symptoms and the complexities of hormone replacement therapy—a narrative that will both inspire and educate.
Her candid insights put a spotlight on the urgent need to bridge the education gaps in women's health, especially for conditions like POI that are often shrouded in silence.
In the realm of healthcare, it's not just about the treatments—it's about understanding the human experience behind the medical charts.
Sheree opens up about the mental health rollercoaster that accompanies hormone imbalances, and how she's turned her fight into fuel for advocacy and outreach. She underscores the trial-and-error journey of finding the right medication and the severe complications that can arise, driving home the importance of informed medical guidance and support for individuals with POI.
Through her Instagram platform, @lifeofpoi, Sheree creates a space for connection and support, providing a source of hope and representation for others walking a similar path.
Her determination to educate, advocate, and pursue a PhD is nothing short of awe-inspiring—a clear call to action for all of us to lend our voices and join the conversation on women's health.
Resources
Sheree on InstagramWhat is POI? - articleDaisy Network - A Charity for Women with POI
All The Young Men - book
Slow Horses - Apple TV
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11/23/23 • 44 min
Have you ever reflected on the trials and triumphs of navigating through menopause?
Well, this episode is a heart-to-heart with Tania Dalton who has journeyed through this phase of life and come out stronger. Tania shares her post-menopausal journey, discussing how it led her to reappraise her lifestyle choices, prioritise sleep, manage stress, and eventually improve her overall health.
Tania's story isn't just about surviving menopause; it's about thriving. She redefines societal expectations by accomplishing physical feats like running a marathon and completing an Ironman triathlon post-menopause. Tania's tales of overcoming challenges and her dedication to achieving her goals are nothing short of inspiring, proving that age is just a number.
We also delve into the thrill of solo travel, as evidenced by Tania's adventurous trip to Santorini, painting a vivid picture of the empowerment and freedom it can offer.
Lastly, we delve into the profound effect menopause has on relationships and career choices while discussing the importance of resilience during this phase of life. Tania’s work in helping women over 50 embrace this stage and make positive changes to their health and lifestyle is truly commendable.
This episode is a treasure trove of insights, whether you're approaching menopause, in the midst of it, or beyond. It's about embracing change, facing challenges head-on, and redefining your personal narrative around menopause.
Resources:
Beautiful Midlife - website
Tania on Instagram
Thriving Over 50 Facebook Group
Sleep Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice
NYAD on Netflix
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51: How Allie Pepper, a world class mountaineer coped when menopause threatened to end her climbing career
Dear Menopause
03/23/23 • 38 min
How would you cope if your career and life's purpose rely on a strong, healthy functioning body and seemingly overnight menopause threatened to take all of that away from you?
Allie Pepper is an Australian mountaineer with 23 years of climbing experience. Mountaineering is not only Allie's passion but also her business; Allie Pepper Adventures.
In 2021, amongst the chaos of COVID and a relationship breakdown, Allie was 45 and had no idea that she was perimenopausal. Then seemingly overnight she went from being a woman who summits peaks for business and pleasure to a menopausal wreck.
Two years on, I spoke to Allie from Nepal on the eve of kicking off her current project, to climb to the true summits of all 14 of the world's 8000m peaks without additional oxygen, in the world's fastest time.
In this episode you will hear:
- How Allie went from failing her HSC and being a self-proclaimed hippie to a world-class mountaineer, reaching, amongst others, the summits of Mount Everest and also one of the world's most dangerous mountains, Annapurna.
- How a simple decision to come off the oral contraceptive pill at 45 flung her into a menopausal nightmare, seemingly overnight leading her to believe she would never be able to climb again.
- The 12-month challenge she went through to find support and a therapy that worked for her.
- Her current 14 Peaks Project which if successful will position her as one of the world's most successful woman mountaineers.
Resources:
Allie Pepper - website
Allie Pepper - Instagram
Follow Allie's progress on her Garmin inReach
WellFemme
Gaia Online Streaming Platform
Other episodes you may enjoy:
Dr Kelly Teagle, founder of WellFemme
Jodie Priess on the importance of advocacy in the face of adversity
Dr Marita Long on talking to your GP about menopause
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38: Best of 2022: Top 5 episodes as voted by you!
Dear Menopause
12/29/22 • 53 min
Who will take the honour of the most downloaded episode in 2022?
In this episode, we revisit the top 5 episodes you chose to listen to. Join me as I count them down, from five to one, and share a short extract from each.
I loved pulling this episode together. With such diverse topics and guests brought to you throughout the year, reviewing what resonated with you the most was fascinating.
Enjoy!
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100: Hot Take with Sonya and Johanna
Dear Menopause
12/12/24 • 38 min
Join Johanna Wicks and me in today's Hot Take as we unravel the complicated process of getting treatments added to Australia's PBS, sparked by a recent breakthrough announcement about endometriosis medication.
We explore the pivotal, yet often misunderstood, roles that pharmaceutical companies and the government play in this process and why modern menopause hormone therapy (MHT) hasn't yet made it to the PBS despite public demand.
Delving deeper, we contrast MPA, a synthetic progestin, with body-identical progesterone and critique the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee's (PBAC) tendency to group these therapies together. This sheds light on the broader issue of insufficient research funding in women's health.
As we look forward, our anticipation builds around the government's response to the Senate Inquiry report and its potential impacts on women's health policy, especially with an upcoming election.
Will Australian women receive an early Christmas gift from the Government? We hope so!
Jo shares about attending Em Rusciano's impactful "Outgrown" show. And to wrap the year up, have you checked out our creative "Menopause Myths Advent Calendar 2024" on Instagram — a fun, festive initiative aimed at busting menopause myths with a sprinkle of Christmas joy.
Thank you for your continued support and here's to more insightful discussions in the new year!
Links:
Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC)
Em Rusciano
The Holderness Family - Instagram Christmas Reel
2024 Advent Calendar - Instagram
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FAQ
How many episodes does Dear Menopause have?
Dear Menopause currently has 123 episodes available.
What topics does Dear Menopause cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Midlife, Women'S Health, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education and Menopause.
What is the most popular episode on Dear Menopause?
The episode title '93: A Short Break' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Dear Menopause?
The average episode length on Dear Menopause is 36 minutes.
How often are episodes of Dear Menopause released?
Episodes of Dear Menopause are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Dear Menopause?
The first episode of Dear Menopause was released on Apr 26, 2022.
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