Understanding Perimenopause, Menopause, and Symptom Management Hello and welcome to Menopause & Me.I’m Jenna, Nurse Practitioner and menopause educator. Many women are told that menopause hormone therapy is only for use after menopause, once periods have stopped. At the same time, many women experience symptoms years earlier during perimenopause and are left wondering: “Why are my symptoms being treated if these medications are only approved for menopause?” This can feel conf

As we kick off our newsletter/blog series, we’re starting at the beginning – or should we say, the transition? Menopause is a natural milestone in every woman’s life, yet it’s often shrouded in myths and misinformation. Here in Australia, where the average age for menopause is 51, many of us are navigating these changes right now, with symptoms that can feel overwhelming. But here’s the empowering truth: understanding perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause equips you to

If you’ve felt the subtle (or not-so-subtle) shifts in your body during perimenopause—like that extra ache in your joints or a sneaky dip in energy—you’re spot on that it’s time to talk strength. As we navigate these stages, our bones and muscles need extra TLC, especially with osteoporosis lurking as a silent risk. But here’s the uplifting Aussie truth: incorporating weight training and smart protein intake isn’t just about prevention—it’s a game-changer for vitality, confid

If you’re experiencing changes in sleep, mood, energy, hot flushes, or discomfort during sex, you’re certainly not alone. These changes are common during perimenopause and menopause, and there are several evidence-based options that may support you through this transition. I’m Jenna, your Nurse Practitioner and menopause educator. This guide helps make sense of the different hormone therapy options available in Australia, how they work, and how to approach treatment in a way

What are sex hormones, really? They’re powerful chemical messengers made from cholesterol that coordinate functions across your entire body. Women and men have the same three main sex hormones — just in different amounts and patterns throughout life: Oestradiol (the most potent oestrogen – your pre-menopause superstar) Progesterone (the calming balancer) Testosterone (supports energy, libido, muscle and bone strength) These hormones don’t just affect reproduction — their rece

In Part 1, we explored how sex hormones work together to influence your whole body. Today, we zoom in on oestradiol — the hormone that drives many of the changes women notice through perimenopause and menopause. Building on Part 1, this week we focus on oestradiol: the most potent oestrogen and the one that declines most dramatically in menopause. It plays a role in hot flushes, sleep, mood, joint comfort, bladder health, sexual comfort, brain function, bone strength, cardiov

Progesterone recap Progesterone receptors are found in many tissues (including the uterus and brain). In menopause hormone therapy (MHT), progesterone (or another progestogen) is primarily used to protect the lining of the uterus (endometrium) when oestrogen is prescribed and you still have a uterus. Some women also report improvements in sleep or mood with certain progestogens, but responses vary and this isn’t the main reason progesterone is prescribed in MHT. Body-identi

Hello and welcome to the Menopause & Me community, Menopause and the years leading up to it can bring noticeable changes to skin and hair. Many women report dryness, changes in texture, thinning hair, or differences in how their skin responds to products that once worked well. These changes are common and biologically driven. This newsletter explains why they occur and outlines evidence-based ways to support skin and hair health during midlife. (click on the arrow to the lef

Hello and welcome to the Menopause & Me community, Changes to sleep and persistent fatigue are among the most commonly reported concerns during perimenopause and menopause. Many women describe lighter sleep, frequent waking, early morning waking, or feeling unrefreshed despite adequate time in bed. Sleep disturbance during this life stage is often multifactorial . While hormonal changes and vasomotor symptoms may contribute significantly, they are rarely the only factors. A

Hello and welcome to Menopause & Me . In Part 1 of this series, we explored why sleep and fatigue commonly change during perimenopause and menopause, and why sleep disturbance at this stage is often multifactorial rather than hormone-driven alone. In Part 2 , we look at why sleep disturbance, low mood, anxiety, and cognitive symptoms such as “brain fog” so often occur together during the menopause transition — and why these experiences are best understood as interconnected s

In Part 1 , we explored why sleep and fatigue commonly change during perimenopause and menopause, and why these symptoms are often multifactorial. In Part 2 , we looked at why sleep disturbance, anxiety, low mood, and cognitive symptoms such as “brain fog” so often occur together — and why they are best understood as interconnected systems. In Part 3 , we bring this together by outlining how clinicians think about evidence-based management pathways for these symptoms, and wh

Menopause care is not broken, but it is changing. For a long time, menopause was treated as something women simply had to endure. Symptoms were often minimised, normalised, or dismissed as “just part of getting older”. Many women were told there was little that could be done, or that treatment options were unsafe or unnecessary. That story is changing. Not because of trends or social media, but because the evidence base around menopause has grown and matured . Modern menopaus

What’s Really Happening With Your Hormones? Hello and welcome to Menopause & Me . I’m Jenna, Nurse Practitioner and menopause educator. Many women in perimenopause still require reliable contraception or support with cycle control. For this reason, the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) is commonly prescribed during midlife. As women move through perimenopause, however, hormonal needs can change — and the combined pill works very differently from menopause hormone therap

Understanding Body Composition and Abdominal Fat Redistribution Many women notice a shift during perimenopause or menopause that feels frustrating and confusing. You may not be eating more. You may still be exercising. Yet your shape changes. Your waistline thickens. Your midsection feels softer. Clothes fit differently. This is not just about weight. It is about body composition. Recent research examining the menopausal transition highlights measurable changes in muscle mass

Let’s Talk About What’s Often Left Unsaid There is a part of menopause that many women whisper about — or don’t speak about at all. Loss of desire. Pain with intimacy. Difficulty with arousal. Changes in orgasm. Feeling disconnected from your body. Too often, women are told to “try cuddling instead” or “find a new way to be intimate.” Connection matters.Emotional intimacy matters.Relationships evolve. But when sexual changes are distressing, dismissing them is not care. This