If your knees, hips, shoulders or fingers have started feeling stiff, achy or inflamed during perimenopause, you’re not imagining it — and you’re certainly not alone.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier speaks with exercise scientist and nutritionist Amelia Phillips about why joint pain often appears during the menopausal transition — and what women can do to support their bodies through it, with loads of practical, evidence-based advice to help you move with more confidence and comfort during this stage of life.

Amelia Phillips is an accredited exercise scientist, nutritionist, and one of Australia’s leading health and fitness experts. With more than 25 years of experience in the health industry and a familiar face in Australian media, she specialises in helping people improve their physical and mental wellbeing through sustainable movement, nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

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Sex, desire and intimacy can change during perimenopause and menopause – but too often, women are left navigating those changes with little information and even less support.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention Australia editor Zoe Meunier speaks with Dr Kelly Casperson, a renowned US urologist, international speaker and leading advocate for women’s sexual health. Dr Casperson is the author of the bestselling book You Are Not Broken and host of the globally popular podcast of the same name, where she challenges outdated narratives about female desire, pleasure and midlife sexuality.

Drawing on her clinical experience and deep understanding of the science behind hormones, relationships and sexual wellbeing, Dr Casperson explains why so many women feel confused or dismissed when their bodies change – and what they can do to reclaim confidence, comfort and connection.

From the role of hormones and vaginal health to the psychology of desire, this empowering conversation explores how women can move from frustration and uncertainty to knowledge, agency and thriving in midlife.

With her signature mix of science, honesty and compassion, Dr Casperson offers a refreshing reminder that midlife sexuality is not something women should quietly give up on – it’s something they deserve to understand, support and enjoy.

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During perimenopause and menopause, many women notice changes in their bodies – from shifts in metabolism and muscle tone to energy dips and increased hunger. One nutrient that can make a powerful difference? Protein.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, we’re joined by clinical nutritionist Sarah Di Lorenzo, to unpack why protein becomes especially important during midlife, how it supports muscle, metabolism and hormone health, and how much women really need.

Sarah shares practical strategies to help women eat enough protein across the day, explains common mistakes she sees in midlife diets, explains how protein supports weight loss, and offers simple ways to boost protein intake without overhauling your entire routine.

Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, already in menopause, or simply want to feel stronger and more energised, this episode is packed with practical, science-based advice you can start using today.

About our guest

Sarah Di Lorenzo is a leading Australian clinical nutritionist and bestselling author known for her practical, no-nonsense approach to healthy eating. She is passionate about helping people use food as medicine and supporting women through the nutritional changes that come with midlife.

The Power Of Protein by Sarah Di Lorenzo is available in bookstores and online now (Simon & Schuster)

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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 adhdinwomen@monash.edu.

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