Women of the Well | Holistic Women’s Health and Wellness

Welcome to 2025!

As we kick off the New Year, we’re diving into a topic that affects so many women but is often misunderstood – premenstrual mood disorders like PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and PME (premenstrual exacerbation of an underlying mental health condition).

In this episode of Women of the Well, Dr Peta, Dr Thea, and Sam explore what’s really behind premenstrual mood issues and how we can better support ourselves in this often-challenging phase of the menstrual cycle.

🎧 Listen now to discover:

🌿 What’s happening in the brain and body during the luteal phase – and why some women experience heightened sensitivity to hormonal changes.

🌿 The connection between PMDD, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation – and why environment matters just as much as biology.

🌿 Why societal expectations and the “need to perform” can make symptoms worse – and how breaking the stigma around cyclic living can help.

🌿 Simple strategies for self-care, including:

• Nutrition tips for stabilising blood sugar and supporting hormonal balance.
• Lifestyle changes like slowing down, spending time in nature, and creating space for rest.
• Practical tools for nervous system regulation, from breathwork to cold water therapy.

🌿 A compassionate perspective on treatment options – from supplements and lifestyle adjustments to bioidentical hormones and, in rare cases, medical interventions.

Why this episode matters:

The New Year is a time for reflection and intention-setting, and this conversation is a powerful reminder to prioritise self-care, listen to your body, and ask for help when needed.
Whether you’re navigating PMDD, PME, or simply feeling the strain of life’s demands, this episode offers practical tools and insights to help you feel more grounded and connected.

Recommended Resources:

• 📖 Healing Pelvic Pain by Dr Peta Wright – A comprehensive guide to understanding and managing pelvic pain.
• 🎙️ Episode 15 of Women of the Well – The Autumn + Winter of Your Menstrual Cycle (Luteal and Menstruation phases).
• 💻 IAPMD.org – Information on premenstrual mood disorders.
• 📖 Anchored by Deb Dana – A guide to nervous system regulation.
• 💻 Jessica Maguire’s Vagus Nerve Masterclass – Practical tools for nervous system health.

______________________

For more information about us, visit verawellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

​​To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In today’s episode we’re decoding a topic that so many of us deal with but don’t talk about enough: period pain.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the discomfort or just wondered what’s really happening in your body each month, this episode is for you.
Join hosts Dr Peta Wright, Dr Thea Bowler, and Sam Lindsay-German, as they explore the truth behind period pain, share simple remedies you can use right away, and discuss why embracing radical self-care during your cycle is a game-changer.
🎧 Listen now to uncover:
🍃 The science behind period pain – understanding what's happening in your body and how knowledge an help reduce pain.
🍃 Easy and effective remedies you already have in your kitchen – ginger, turmeric, and more natural ways to soothe discomfort.
🍃 The power of rest and self-care – why it’s essential to slow down and listen to your body’s needs.
🍃 Practical strategies to feel better, naturally – from yoga and movement to mindful breathing and magnesium supplements.
Resources mentioned in this episode:

Healing Pelvic Pain by Dr Peta Wright

Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer

Period Queen by Lucy Peach

Love Your Lady Landscape by Lisa Lister
Extended show notes and transcript are available at verawellness.com.au/blog.
______________________

For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

For exclusive sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and to be first to know when the next episode is released – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this week’s episode, we’re diving back into the conversation around Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) with fresh insights from the recent 19th World Congress on Menopause in Melbourne.
Dr Peta Wright and Dr Thea Bowler are here to share the latest findings, practical takeaways, and a few myth-busting updates on menopause care.
If you’re curious about what the world’s top experts are saying on MHT, lifestyle impacts, and menopause brain health, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
🎧 Listen in to hear:
🌿 New perspectives on MHT – Dr Peta and Dr Thea revisit last week’s discussion to explore whether MHT should be used to prevent chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease or if it’s best reserved for symptom relief. Hear why the latest research still favours a balanced, symptom-first approach.
🌿 Lifestyle choices that matter – Discover why some lifestyle changes, like movement and stress management, can be just as powerful as hormone therapy for long-term health and vitality.
🌿 What’s happening with menopause brain health – The latest research sheds light on how menopause affects the brain, including why “brain fog” is often temporary and may even be part of an adaptive, natural rewiring.
🌿 Testosterone and menopause – Get the facts on why testosterone has limited impact on symptoms like low libido and fatigue, and why a holistic, whole-body approach may be the best way to support wellness at this stage.
Join us for this follow-up episode as Dr Peta and Dr Thea connect cutting-edge research with practical advice that helps you make empowered, personalised choices for your health.
Additional resources mentioned in this episode:

• Last week's episode – Ep 9: Menopause and Hormone Therapy – Myths, Facts and Choices.
• Prof Pauline Maki’s Research on Menopause and Brain Health.

______________________

For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

​​To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode, we’re focusing on how to feel good during perimenopause and menopause without rigid rules or overwhelming advice.
Co-hosts Dr Peta Wright, Dr Thea Bowler and Sam Lindsay-German unpack holistic ways of supporting the body through menopause – that feel aligned, sustainable, and balanced.
With so much contradictory information out there, it’s easy to feel confused about what your body needs.
This conversation breaks it all down, offering guidance that honours body wisdom and embraces a truly holistic approach to health.
🎧 Here’s what you’ll discover:
🌿 Why prescriptive advice can be counterproductive and how a flexible, personalised approach to menopause often feels best.
🌿 Simple, nourishing foods and diets that support brain health, lower inflammation, and honour what works best for you.
🌿 The value of joyful movement – from gardening to dancing – and how to find forms of exercise that make you feel good.
🌿 Tips from Ayurveda to balance your energy and promote gut health, including the benefits of cooked, warming foods.
🌿 Honest insights into navigating alcohol and sleep challenges, with gentle suggestions for finding what works best for your body.
Listen in as Dr Peta, Dr Thea and Sam discuss everything from diet and movement, to the importance of tuning into your body’s unique needs.
Resources to complement this episode:

• Listen to our previous episode Rediscovering yourself in perimenopause.
• More about Sam Lindsay-German and her healing work with women.
• Join Sam for Sadhana recorded live each weekday at 5am in The Calm Room.

______________________

For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

​​To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode of Women of the Well, Dr Peta Wright and holistic counsellor Sam Lindsay-German are unpacking one of the biggest topics for women in their 40s and 50s – perimenopause and menopause.
There’s a lot of information out there (and a lot of misinformation too), but Dr Peta and Sam explain why this transition doesn’t have to be something to fear.
🎧 Tune in to hear:
🍃 What perimenopause and menopause actually are, and when the changes typically start.
🍃 Sam’s personal experience and the insights Peta has learned from her patients, sharing how symptoms like hot flushes, brain fog, and mood swings can be influenced by stress and lifestyle.
🍃 A brief look at HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) – why it’s one option, but definitely not the only one.
🍃 Why this time of life can be a gateway to more clarity, creativity, and freedom as you step into your “wisdom years.”
Whether you’re just beginning to explore perimenopause or are already in the thick of your transition, this episode is filled with actionable advice and supportive insights to help you navigate it all with more confidence.
Additional information and resources:

• Wise Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer – A transformative book that redefines menopause as a spiritual journey and a catalyst for personal empowerment.
• Red School – Founded by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, offering courses and resources on menstruality and menopause to help women embrace their cycles and life stages.
• Ayurveda – The ancient Indian holistic healing system that provides insights into the natural transitions of life and how to balance your body's energies during menopause.

More about the Vera Wellness Embracing Your Wise Woman Years Retreat:
At Vera, we run the Embracing Your Wise Woman Years event – a full-day retreat-style event designed to support women through the transition of perimenopause and menopause.

It includes talks from our gynaecologists and holistic practitioners, rituals to honour this life stage, and practical advice on navigating your health.

Find out more and register your interest for upcoming events here.
______________________

For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

To be first to know when the next Women of the Well episode is released and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.