In this raw, funny and deeply honest episode, comedian, writer, broadcaster and advocate Em Rusciano joins Prevention Editor Zoe Meunier to talk about her unfiltered experience of midlife, menopause and self-discovery – as shared in her new memoir, Blood, Sweat and Glitter.

Em opens up about navigating perimenopause, ADHD, and autism, and the reckoning that comes when your hormones – and your priorities – shift. With her signature mix of humour and heart, she describes this chapter of life as an “emotional exfoliation” – a painful but liberating shedding of everything that no longer serves you.

Determined to help the women who have reached out to her about their own peri and menopausal struggles, Em is eager to show that midlife isn’t a breakdown – it’s a breakthrough. As she puts it, menopause is “not the end of relevance but the start of real power.” Her story is both a rallying cry and a reassurance to every woman feeling like she’s losing her mind: you’re not. You’re evolving. Don't miss this powerful episode.

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How can workplaces better support women through menopause – and why does it matter for everyone?

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention Australia editor Zoe Meunier speaks with Grace Molloy, CEO of Menopause Friendly Australia (menopausefriendlyaustralia.com.au), the organisation helping employers create inclusive, understanding and supportive environments for midlife women.

Grace shares how the movement toward menopause-supportive workplaces is gathering momentum, why it’s good for both people and business, and how forward-thinking employers are taking real action to retain and empower experienced women. From practical initiatives and policy examples to the human stories driving change, this conversation shines a light on what true cultural change looks like.

Learn what it means to be a menopause-friendly accredited workplace, including the five standards of accreditation and how they help businesses support women.

Find out more about becoming a menopause-friendly workplace at menopausefriendlyaustralia.com.au

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Fertility is often one of the most confusing – and surprising – aspects of perimenopause. Your hormones are fluctuating, your periods might be irregular, but yes, you can still fall pregnant. For some women, that’s an unexpected joy; for others, a wake-up call. And for those trying to conceive later in life, it can be a time filled with questions, hope and uncertainty.

In this episode, we speak with reproductive endocrinologist Dr Devini Ameratunga (drdevameratunga.com), who specialises in hormonal and reproductive health, to unpack what really happens to fertility during perimenopause.

Whether you’re hoping to conceive, avoid pregnancy, or simply understand your body better, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance and expert advice to help you make informed choices about your reproductive health during perimenopause.

For more expert insights on thriving in midlife, subscribe to Thriving in Menopause and pick up the latest issue of Prevention Australia magazine.

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If you’ve ever found yourself wide awake at 3am with a racing mind or drenched from a night sweat, you’re not alone. Up to half of women in perimenopause and menopause experience disrupted sleep – and it can affect everything from your mood and memory to your relationships and quality of life.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, we talk to Dr Giselle Withers, a clinical psychologist and founder of A Mindful Way. Giselle specialises in helping people reclaim restful nights through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and mindfulness – both proven, evidence-based treatments that work without relying on medication.

She explains why hormonal shifts, stress and “busy-brain syndrome” create the perfect storm for poor sleep, and how CBT-I – particularly when combined with mindfulness practices – can retrain your mind and body to sleep soundly again. Visit her website at www.amindfulway.com.au for further resources and information. 

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If menopause has left you feeling foggy, forgetful, or like your brain has a thousand tabs open, you’re not imagining it. Cognitive changes are a very real part of perimenopause and menopause – and for women with ADHD, the impact can be even greater.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Associate Professor Caroline Gurvich, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Deputy Director of HER Centre Australia at Monash University, explains how hormonal changes affect the brain, why menopause symptoms can overlap with ADHD, and what women can do to better support their memory, focus and mental clarity.

Find out:

• Why “menopause brain” happens

• How ADHD symptoms are influenced by hormonal changes

• The role of oestrogen in memory, attention and executive function

• Practical strategies – from medication to lifestyle habits – that really help

• The latest research on women’s brain health

Interested in research?
Caroline and her team at Monash are running studies on women, hormones, cognition and ADHD. To get involved, visit Monash HER Centre – Cognition and Hormones Group or email [email protected].

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Do you sometimes feel your heart race out of the blue, experience dizzy spells, or even find yourself in the grip of a panic attack? These unsettling symptoms can be surprisingly common during perimenopause and menopause - but what’s really going on?

In this episode, we're joined by integrative medicine specialist and naturopathic physician Dr Karen Coates, co-author of new book Hormonal Harmony. Dr Coates will unpack why these symptoms occur, when to seek medical advice, and the practical strategies that can help you manage them. From understanding the role of fluctuating hormones to uncovering lifestyle triggers, Dr Coates shares her expert insights to help you feel calmer and more in control.

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Menopause is finally stepping out of the shadows, but what does the future of care really look like? In this episode, Prevention’s Zoe Meunier speaks with Dr Dev Ameratunga, a leading reproductive endocrinologist with a special interest in women’s hormonal health, about how advances in science, medicine and awareness are reshaping this life stage.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s next in menopause treatment and support – and how women can take charge of their hormonal health – this conversation offers knowledge, hope and a glimpse into the future.

Menopause is finally stepping out of the shadows, but what does the future of care really look like? In this episode, Prevention’s Zoe Meunier speaks with Dr Dev Ameratunga, a leading reproductive endocrinologist with a special interest in women’s hormonal health, about how advances in science, medicine and awareness are reshaping this life stage.

Dr Dev shares her expert insights on:

• Why personalized medicine is the key to effective menopause care

• The truth about hormone therapy, including bioidentical hormones

• Exciting new non-hormonal treatments and what they mean for women

• How technology – from telehealth to apps and wearables – can improve access and support

• What an equitable, future-ready menopause care system could look like

If you’ve ever wondered what’s next in menopause treatment and support – and how women can take charge of their hormonal health – this conversation offers knowledge, hope and a glimpse into the future.

Listen now to discover how menopause care is evolving – and what that means for you.

About our guest: Dr Devini Ameratunga is a Brisbane-based board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist (CREI) and Gynaecologist. Medical Director of Life Fertility Clinic, Devini is also an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, Senior Medical Officer (Gynae/Fertility) at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and the Clinical Lead of QLD Health's Public Fertility Preservation Clinic. Visit drdevameratunga.com

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When it comes to women’s hormones, testosterone is often misunderstood – and frequently left out of the conversation altogether. But what role does it really play in women’s health? Does it drop at menopause? And can testosterone therapy actually help with symptoms like low libido, energy or mood?

In this episode, Thriving in Menopause host Zoe Meunier talks to Professor Susan Davis – one of the world’s leading researchers on women’s hormone health – to cut through the hype and misinformation around testosterone therapy.

Whether you’re curious about boosting libido, wondering about safety, or just want to separate fact from fiction, this conversation will help you make informed choices about your hormone health.

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How is perimenopause quietly pushing women out of the workforce – and what can be done to stop it?

In this powerful episode, TV presenter, journalist and fierce perimenopause advocate Shelly Horton returns to Thriving in Menopause to lift the lid on what she calls a “hidden workplace crisis.” Drawing on her personal journey - marked by burnout, depression, and nearly quitting a career she loved – Shelly shares how untreated perimenopause symptoms sidelined her professionally and emotionally.

Now the author of I’m Your Peri Godmother and founder of workplace education company Don’t Sweat It, Shelly is on a mission to make perimenopause support standard, not a surprise. From how to start the conversation at work to the workplace policy changes that really make a difference, Shelly breaks down the myths, the data and the practical steps every workplace should take.

Whether you're experiencing the transition yourself or leading a team, this is a must-listen conversation packed with honesty, empathy and evidence. Listen now and share it with a colleague, manager, or friend – let’s make menopause part of the workplace conversation.

Learn more about our amazing guest Shelly Horton at ShellShocked Media. 

For more great menopause-related content, be sure to head to preventionaus.com.au and subscribe to Prevention magazine. 

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What does it mean to reconnect with pleasure, intimacy and vitality during menopause? In this bold and insightful episode, we sit down with Adriene Cobcroft, a clinical sexologist, somatic psychotherapist and trauma therapist, to explore the powerful shift that’s possible when women reframe midlife as a time of sexual and emotional awakening – not decline.

Addie shares her wisdom on overcoming shame, the importance of body-based healing, and how emotional wellbeing and pleasure are deeply intertwined. She also unpacks the transformative potential of somatic therapy and how we can start feeling more confident, connected and turned on – no matter our age or relationship status.

What You’ll Learn:

• Common myths about libido, ageing and desire

• How shame and trauma get stored in the body – and what to do about it

• The role of somatic therapy in rekindling intimacy and self-trust

• Simple, empowering practices to reconnect with your body at home

• Why the best sex of your life could still be ahead of you

• How to navigate intimacy in both long-term relationships and new dynamics 

About Our Guest:
Adriene Cobcroft is a clinical sexologist and somatic psychotherapist who specialises in helping women reclaim pleasure, autonomy and embodied wellbeing through all life stages. She’s also part of the sold-out Beaker Street Festival event Come Again: An Evening of Sex and Science. Learn more about Addie’s work via the Beaker Street Festival or her private practice based in Hobart (adrienecobcroft.com).

For more great menopause-related content, be sure to head to preventionaus.com.au and subscribe to Prevention magazine. 

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Dryness, breakouts, sensitivity, dullness... if your skin suddenly feels like it’s going through a second puberty, you’re not imagining it. In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier is joined by Vanessa Gray Lyndon, founder of Vanessa Megan Naturaceutical Skincare, to delve into what’s really going on beneath the surface of our skin during perimenopause and menopause – and how we can support it naturally.

A formulation expert and passionate advocate for hormone-safe beauty, Vanessa explains how declining oestrogen affects skin health, from collagen loss and dehydration to increased sensitivity and pigmentation. She shares the science behind effective ingredients and which could be doing you more harm than good, as well as non-skincare treatments such as dermal massage and how it can help support your skin.

Whether your skincare needs a reboot or you're simply trying to decode all the new changes, this is an empowering listen that proves midlife skin can absolutely thrive – with a little know-how and a lot of self-kindness.

Links & Resources:

• Vanessa Megan Naturaceutical Skincare

• The Nasty Nine ingredients to avoid

• Apps for ingredient safety: Think Dirty and EWG’s Healthy Living

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe – and pick up a copy of Prevention Magazine for more expert advice on thriving through every stage of life.

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