Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause can feel frustrating, confusing and sometimes downright unfair – especially when the healthy habits that once worked no longer seem to make a difference. But what if the answer isn't simply to eat less?

New research from the CSIRO has revealed that weight gain is the most commonly reported symptom of menopause, ahead of hot flushes, fatigue and sleep disturbances. And there's another surprising finding: many women in midlife aren't getting enough protein to support their changing bodies.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier is joined by Dr Gilly Hendrie, Research Scientist at the CSIRO and part of the team behind the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, to unpack what's really happening to our metabolism, muscle mass and nutritional needs during menopause.

Together, they explore why traditional weight-loss advice can miss the mark, the importance of protein for healthy ageing and how small, realistic changes to what we eat can make a meaningful difference – without restrictive dieting or expensive supplements.

If you've ever wondered why your body seems to be playing by a different set of rules in midlife, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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If you’ve ever felt like managing your health in midlife has become a full-time job, this episode is for you. From hormones and sleep to weight, supplements, bone health and longevity, there’s no shortage of advice about what we should be doing. But with so much information – and often conflicting opinions – how do we know where to start?

Women’s health strategist, naturopath and author Susan Hunter has spent 20 years helping women navigate their health, and she believes we don’t have an information problem – we have a navigation problem.

In this refreshingly practical conversation, Susan joins Prevention editor Zoe Meunier to explain how to cut through the wellness noise, understand what your body is telling you and make more confident decisions about your health. Because thriving through menopause isn’t about doing everything perfectly – it’s about knowing what matters most, what can wait and where to focus your energy.

Susan is the author of The Health Edit: Where to Start. What to Change. For Women Over 40.

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Pelvic health might be one of the least talked-about parts of menopause – yet the physical changes that happen as oestrogen declines can have an enormous impact on a woman’s comfort, confidence and quality of life.

Few people are better placed to have this conversation than Lisa Fitzpatrick. A physiotherapist with more than three decades of clinical experience and a pelvic and sexual health educator, Lisa has spent her career helping women understand what’s happening to their bodies – and, importantly, what they can do about it.

Now, in her new book Sexy Menopause, she’s bringing those conversations out of the treatment room and into the open, tackling an area of women’s health that has remained taboo for far too long.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Lisa brings reassuring expertise, refreshing frankness and a welcome reminder that symptoms such as pelvic pain, prolapse and vaginal discomfort aren’t simply things women should quietly put up with as they get older. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening “down there” during and after menopause, this is an episode well worth hearing.

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There are some guests whose work feels as though it’s changing the conversation around women’s health – and Dr Vonda Wright is one of them.

A double board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and internationally recognised authority on human performance, longevity and women’s health, Dr Wright has spent more than two decades studying how we can remain strong, mobile and independent as we age. She is also the author of the bestselling Unbreakable: A Woman’s Guide to Ageing with Power and the physician who gave a name to something countless women had been experiencing but struggling to explain: the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.

Her message is an enormously empowering one for women in midlife: ageing does not have to mean quietly accepting weakness, pain and physical decline. There is much we can do now to protect our muscles, bones, joints and future independence – and midlife is a crucial time to start.

Dr Wright is one of the most compelling voices in women’s longevity today, so we’re incredibly excited to welcome her to Thriving in Menopause. This is a conversation every woman who wants to feel strong, capable and confident in her body for decades to come should hear.

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A year on from Australia’s landmark Senate Inquiry into Menopause and Perimenopause, Senator Marielle Smith returns to Thriving in Menopause to talk about what’s changed – and what still needs to happen.

As Co-Sponsor and Deputy Chair of the inquiry, Senator Smith played a pivotal role in bringing the experiences of Australian women into the national spotlight. Now, one of its key recommendations has become a reality, with the launch of a National Menopause and Perimenopause Awareness Campaign designed to help women recognise symptoms, find trusted information and feel more confident seeking support.

In this episode, we talk about why greater awareness matters, the stigma that still surrounds menopause, the progress made since the inquiry and where gaps remain in healthcare, workplaces and the wider community.

We also ask what real change looks like beyond an awareness campaign – and what Senator Smith hopes the next chapter will bring for women navigating perimenopause and menopause in Australia.

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Why does everything suddenly feel so much harder in perimenopause? You might find yourself overwhelmed by things you once took in your stride, snapping at the people you love, feeling emotionally exhausted or simply wondering why you don’t seem to cope the way you used to.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, we’re joined by clinical psychologist Narelle Dickinson to explore what’s really going on. We unpack the connection between hormones, the brain and nervous system, and how the changes of midlife can affect our emotional bandwidth, resilience and ability to deal with stress.

Narelle explains what nervous system dysregulation can look like in everyday life, where cortisol and chronic stress fit into the picture and why burnout and hormonal symptoms can be so difficult to untangle. We also explore why some women find themselves reassessing relationships and becoming less willing to tolerate things they once did - leading to the 'menodivorce' phenomenon.

Most importantly, Narelle shares practical strategies to help calm an overloaded nervous system, prioritise rest and recovery and feel more like yourself again.

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From hot flushes and disrupted sleep to anxiety and fatigue, menopause symptoms can affect almost every aspect of daily life. While hormone therapy can be transformative for many women, it isn’t suitable for everyone – and some may be interested in complementary ways to manage their symptoms.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, host Zoe Meunier speaks with Kim Gatenby, Director of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association, about the role acupuncture may play in menopause care.

Kim explains how acupuncture works, what the current evidence tells us and why treatment is tailored to each woman’s individual experience. She also discusses the symptoms women most commonly seek help for, what to expect during a consultation and how to find a suitably qualified practitioner.

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Could your constant fatigue, brain fog or irritability be more than just the juggle of everyday life? For many women, the first signs of perimenopause arrive years before they expect them to – and are often mistaken for stress, burnout or simply being "too busy".

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier is joined by nutritionist, chef and WelleCo educator Zoe Bingley-Pullin, who shares her own experience of being diagnosed with perimenopause at just 39. Together, they unpack why this transition can begin earlier than many women realise, the symptoms to look out for and the simple, evidence-based lifestyle strategies that can help you feel your best.

From the importance of blood sugar balance and protein to the role of stress, sleep and movement, this conversation cuts through the online noise to focus on the habits that truly support hormone health – not just for today, but for healthy ageing in the years ahead.

Whether you're in your late 30s, already navigating menopause or simply want to future-proof your health, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you take control of your hormones – rather than letting them control you.

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For decades, Mary Coustas has made Australia laugh as the unforgettable Effie. But behind the sharp wit and larger-than-life persona is a woman whose own journey through midlife has been anything but straightforward.

In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Mary opens up about the realities of menopause, the frustration of feeling dismissed, and why she decided to turn one of life's biggest transitions into an opportunity to help other women. She shares how her own experience inspired her book Marypause and the creation of UnPause, a telehealth platform designed to give women better access to menopause care.

Along the way, we also talk about confidence, identity, finding humour in life's challenges and why it's never too late to reinvent yourself. Mary's trademark warmth and wit shine through, but so does her passion for making sure women feel informed, supported and empowered through every stage of midlife.

Whether you're approaching menopause, in the thick of it, or simply want to better understand what's happening to your body, this conversation is full of reassurance, practical insights and plenty of laughs.

Mary Coustas (and Effie!) will both be joining us later in the year at our World Menopause Day event. Visit worldmenopauseday.com.au to find out more!

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Menopause is often seen as the beginning of an ageing decline, but what if it's actually one of the greatest opportunities to improve your long-term health?

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, editor Zoe Meunier sits down with GP, author and women's health advocate Dr Ginni Mansberg to discuss her new book, The Longevity Handbook For Women. Together, they unpack the powerful connection between menopause and longevity, exploring why this life stage is a crucial window for protecting your future health.

From heart disease and brain health to muscle, metabolism, bone density and weight changes, Dr Ginni explains the science behind what happens during menopause and, more importantly, the evidence-based lifestyle habits that can help women thrive for decades to come.

If you've ever wondered how today's choices can shape your health in your 60s, 70s and beyond, this conversation is packed with practical, empowering advice.

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In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, we’re talking about what it really takes to change the menopause conversation – and why that change is long overdue.

Prevention Australia editor Zoe Meunier is joined by Heather Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Gen M, the global movement behind the M-Tick – an initiative designed to help women more easily find trusted, menopause-friendly products and support.

After her own confusing and unsupported experience with perimenopause, Heather set out to tackle what she calls the “invisibility” of midlife women – bringing together major brands and retailers to better recognise, support and serve women at this life stage. Now, that movement is arriving in Australia.

Together, Zoe and Heather explore why menopause has been overlooked for so long, how fear and misinformation are shaping women’s experiences, and what needs to change – across healthcare, retail and society – to help women feel informed, supported and empowered.

From the idea of menopause as “the biggest marathon you’ll ever run” to the reality that most women can only name a handful of symptoms, this episode is a powerful reminder that preparation, education and open conversation can make all the difference.

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