All About You With Dr Shauna Watts

Latest Episodes:

The BIGGEST Menopause Misunderstanding of the Last 20 Years May 26, 2026

Show notes

For more than 20 years, women have been told that hormone therapy causes breast cancer but what if the science was misunderstood from the very beginning?

The conversation around menopause and hormone replacement therapy has been shaped by fear for decades. In this episode, Dr. Avrum Bluming and social psychologist Carol Tavris unpack the study that changed women’s health forever and explain why many doctors, researchers and patients are now re-examining what we thought we knew about estrogen, breast cancer and HRT.T

hey explored the lasting impact of the Women’s Health Initiative study, the difference between observational studies and randomized trials, and why so many women still struggle to access informed menopause care today.

We also discuss the growing evidence around estrogen’s role in brain health, osteoporosis prevention, cognitive decline, cardiovascular health and quality of life during perimenopause and menopause.

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too young” for HRT, that hormones are dangerous because of breast cancer, or that menopause is just something women should suffer through, this conversation will challenge a lot of assumptions.

In this episode:

➡️ Why the fear around HRT and breast cancer became so widespread

➡️ The real findings behind the Women’s Health Initiative study

➡️ Whether estrogen actually increases breast cancer risk

➡️ Vaginal estrogen and why the science remains controversial

➡️ What the evidence says about HRT after breast cancer

➡️ Estrogen’s impact on brain health and cognitive decline

➡️ The connection between menopause, osteoporosis and fractures

➡️ Why menopause education is still missing in medical training

➡️ The psychology and stigma around taking hormone therapy

➡️ Why many women still struggle to find doctors informed about menopause

This is a nuanced and evidence-based discussion about menopause, estrogen, and the future of women’s health care and why so many women are demanding better conversations around HRT.

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Follow Dr. Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrum-bluming-64259a10/

https://tavris.socialpsychology.org/contact

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Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠

www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatt

https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgpLinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

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Chapters

00:00 – Why Vaginal Estrogen Is Misunderstood

00:40 – Does Vaginal Estrogen Really Enter the Bloodstream

01:17 – Family History of Breast Cancer: Does It Matter?

02:01 – BRCA1, Ovaries Removal, and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction

03:03 – Why Estrogen Doesn’t Increase Breast Cancer Risk (Evidence Explained)

04:07 – Why Women Feel Shut Down by Doctors on HRT

05:14 – When Hormone Questions Get Ignored in Medicine

06:19 – What Happens When Women Stop Tamoxifen to Get Pregnant

07:10 – Can Breast Cancer Survivors Safely Use Vaginal Estrogen?

08:20 – The Controversial Denmark Study on Vaginal Estrogen

10:19 – “Minuscule Absorption Makes No Sense” — The Core Debate on Vaginal Estrogen

11:32 – Why Randomized Controlled Trials Aren’t the Only Gold Standard

13:31 – The $1 Billion Women’s Health Initiative Study: What Went Wrong

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Keywords

Menopause

hormone replacement therapy

HRT

estrogen and breast cancer

menopause symptoms

Perimenopause

women’s health

vaginal estrogen

breast cancer risk

hormone therapy menopause

WHI study

estrogen therapy

menopause doctor

menopause treatment

cognitive decline menopause

osteoporosis menopause

menopause education

estrogen brain health

breast cancer myths

menopause podcast

menopause research

hormone therapy safety

women’s hormones

menopause expert

The REAL Story Behind Hormone Replacement Therapy May 17, 2026

Show notes

What if one of the biggest fears women have about hormone therapy was built on misunderstanding, misinformation, and decades of outdated advice?

In this episode, Dr. Shauna Watts is joined by medical oncologist Dr. Avrum Bluming and social psychologist Carol Tavris, co-authors of Estrogen Matters, for a conversation that challenges decades of fear surrounding hormone replacement therapy.

Together, they unpack the lasting impact of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study, why so many doctors still hesitate to prescribe HRT, and what the research actually says about estrogen, breast cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and women’s longevity.

This episode explores not just the science, but the psychology behind why women have been taught to fear breast cancer more than the diseases statistically far more likely to kill them.

If you’ve ever felt confused, dismissed, or anxious about hormone therapy, this conversation will leave you far more informed and far more empowered.

In This Episode:

➡️ Why the fear around HRT exploded after 2002

➡️ What the Women’s Health Initiative study actually found

➡️ The difference between estrogen alone and combined hormone therapy

➡️ Why heart disease remains the leading killer of women

➡️ The psychological impact of breast cancer fear

➡️ How estrogen affects the brain, bones, heart, skin, and overall longevity

➡️ Why so many women suffer unnecessarily during menopause

➡️ The truth about “lowest dose for the shortest time”

➡️ How misinformation continues to shape menopause care today

➡️ What women should discuss with their doctors about HRT

Whether you’re in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply trying to make informed decisions about your future health, this episode is essential listening.

Follow Dr. Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrum-bluming-64259a10/

https://tavris.socialpsychology.org/contact

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Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

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Chapters

01:20 - The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy

03:27 - Dr. Avrum Bluming’s Breast Cancer Story

05:33 - How Estrogen Became Central to Menopause Care

07:58 - Why Menopause Symptoms Are Often Dismissed

10:07 - The 2002 HRT Study That Changed Everything

13:30 - Does Estrogen Really Increase Breast Cancer Risk?

16:12 - Menopause, Heart Disease & The Missing Conversation

18:07 - Why Doctors Still Fear Prescribing HRT

22:16 - The “Lowest Dose, Shortest Time” Myth

26:25 - The Dramatic Impact Estrogen Can Have on Women

27:38 - Why Women Fear Breast Cancer More Than Heart Disease

31:59 - Should Women Without Symptoms Still Take HRT?

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Keywords

hormone replacement therapy

HRT and breast cancer

estrogen therapy

menopause symptoms

perimenopause health

estrogen and heart disease

menopause treatment

women’s health initiative

estrogen matters

Dr Avrum Bluming

Carol Tavris

menopause podcast

breast cancer myths

hormone therapy safety

menopause and estrogen

women’s health after 40

menopause education

HRT benefits

osteoporosis prevention menopause

menopause expert podcast

The Perimenopause Nutrition Advice Women Actually Need May 10, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/

You can eat all the “healthy” food in the world, but if your body is stuck in stress mode, your hormones, digestion and energy will still struggle.

In this episode, Dr Shauna Watts is joined again by functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert and author Dr. Mariza Snyder for a practical conversation about nutrition during perimenopause and why so many women feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what their bodies actually need.

Together, they unpack the growing confusion around protein, the overlooked importance of fiber, how gut health shifts during midlife and why blood sugar regulation has such a profound impact on energy, mood, cravings and long-term metabolic health.

This conversation moves beyond trendy nutrition advice and focuses on sustainable habits women can realistically implement in busy lives without perfection, restriction or guilt.

What we cover in this episode:

➡️ Why the gut microbiome changes during perimenopause

➡️ The connection between gut health, estrogen and inflammation

➡️ Why fiber may be more important than most women realise

➡️ The truth about the current protein obsession

➡️ How ultra-processed “health foods” can worsen symptoms

➡️ Why blood sugar balance matters for hormones and energy

➡️ The impact of stress on digestion and nutrient absorption

➡️ Why eating slowly and intentionally changes how your body responds to food

➡️ The role of circadian rhythm in metabolism, sleep and recovery

➡️ Why women need muscle-supporting nutrition in midlife

➡️ How to create realistic healthy habits without overwhelm

Dr Mariza also shares practical strategies for building balanced meals, supporting metabolic health and reconnecting with your body during a season where many women feel completely disconnected from themselves.

This episode is a reminder that women do not need another impossible wellness overhaul. They need practical, evidence-based strategies that help them feel stronger, calmer and more energised in the body they live in every day.

Follow Dr. Mariza Snyder

https://www.instagram.com/drmariza/

https://drmariza.com/

https://www.facebook.com/drmarizasnyder/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmariza

https://www.amazon.com/Perimenopause-Revolution-Reclaim-Hormones-Metabolism/dp/1401997406

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Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatt

https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

Disclaimer:

This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

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Chapters

00:00 — Introduction

02:15 — What Happens to the Gut Microbiome During Perimenopause

04:08 — Blood Sugar, Protein & “No Naked Carbs” Explained

05:21 — Why Fiber Matters More Than Women Think

06:02 — The Hidden Impact of Stress on Digestion & Hormones

08:02 — The Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Women Make in Midlife

10:00 — Ultra-Processed Foods, Inflammation & Hormone Health

13:20 — Why Real Food Matters More Than Protein Trends

17:42 — How Much Protein Women Actually Need in Perimenopause

22:00 — Why Muscle Health Matters During Menopause

24:03 — Why Skipping Breakfast Worsens Energy & Hormones

31:02 — Feeling Disconnected From Yourself During Perimenopause

33:10 — Small Habit Changes That Actually Work For Women

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Keywords

perimenopause nutrition

gut health menopause

protein in perimenopause

fiber for women over 40

women’s health podcast

hormone health

blood sugar balance

menopause gut health

inflammation and hormones

Dr Mariza Snyder

Dr Shauna Watts

menopause nutrition tips

midlife wellness

The Medical System Is FAILING Women in Midlife May 04, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/

You’ve been told your blood tests are normal. That it’s stress or it’s aging. But what if the real reason you feel exhausted, anxious, and unlike yourself is perimenopause and it’s being completely missed?

In this episode, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down with Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified OB/GYN, Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, Certified Menopause Provider and the founder of Mary Claire Wellness, to break down how perimenopause is actually diagnosed, why so many women are misdiagnosed, and what’s really happening with your hormones in midlife.

This conversation goes far beyond common menopause symptoms. It explains why perimenopause symptoms can show up years before menopause, why standard hormone blood tests often fail, and how declining estrogen impacts your brain, metabolism, sleep, and overall health.

This is the episode to share with any woman who’s been told “everything looks fine” but knows something isn’t right.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why perimenopause symptoms are unpredictable and why hormone fluctuations create chaos in the body

• Why blood tests are not reliable for diagnosing perimenopause and what doctors should look at instead

• The importance of listening to symptoms and why women are often dismissed in healthcare

• Lesser-known perimenopause symptoms like vertigo, tinnitus, joint pain, anxiety, and brain fog

• The truth about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and how the Women’s Health Initiative changed menopause care

• Why HRT risks were overstated and why many women are still not being offered treatment

• The difference between birth control and hormone therapy in perimenopause treatment

• What causes weight gain in perimenopause, including insulin resistance and visceral fat

• Why sleep disruption is one of the earliest and most important symptoms to address

Perimenopause is not just about hot flashes or missed periods. It is a full-body hormonal transition that affects your energy, mood, metabolism, and long-term health.

This episode challenges outdated medical advice and gives you a clearer understanding of what’s happening in your body and what options you actually have..

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Follow Dr. Mary Claire Haver

https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire/

https://www.tiktok.com/@drmaryclaire

https://www.facebook.com/drmaryclaire

https://ph.pinterest.com/thepauselife/

https://www.amazon.com/shop/drmaryclairehaver?ccs_id=301bff2e-33b9-4318-988e-e1026d2192e7

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Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

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Chapters

00:00 – Why Perimenopause Is Being Missed

02:10 – It’s Not Just Hot Flashes: Hidden Symptoms

04:00 – Estrogen Affects Your Entire Body

05:30 – Why Doctors Aren’t Trained in Menopause

08:00 – Misdiagnosis and Why Women Are Dismissed

10:15 – Why Blood Tests Don’t Detect Perimenopause

16:50 – What’s Really Happening to Your Hormones

23:30 – How to Actually Diagnose Perimenopause

28:00 – HRT vs Birth Control: What’s the Difference

33:00 – Why Doctors Are Afraid of Hormone Therapy

35:00 – The Study That Changed Everything

40:00 – HRT Risks vs Benefits Explained

41:30 – Weight Gain and Belly Fat in Perimenopause

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Keywords

perimenopause symptoms

perimenopause diagnosis

hormone replacement therapy HRT

menopause symptoms explained

why blood tests don’t show perimenopause

menopause fatigue brain fog anxiety

women’s health misinformation

Why You're So Tired in Perimenopause (And What to Do About It) Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/

If you are eating well, exercising, cutting alcohol, doing everything right, and your body is still not cooperating, this episode is the one you have been waiting for.

Dr. Shauna Watts sits down with Dr. Mariza Snyder, functional practitioner and hormone specialist, for one of the most clinically grounded conversations about what perimenopause is actually doing to your body. Your brain, your metabolism, your stress response, your gut, your immune system. All of it.

This is the episode to send to every woman in your life who has been told her symptoms are just stress, just aging, or just life.

What is covered in this episode:

➡️ Why perimenopause symptoms are so unpredictable, and why the chaos is completely physiological, not psychological

➡️ What declining estrogen and progesterone are doing to your insulin sensitivity, and why eating less and moving more has stopped working

➡️ The cortisol connection: why chronic stress and declining hormones are a compounding combination that makes every symptom louder

➡️ What "tired but wired" actually means physiologically

➡️ The mitochondria piece: why perimenopause fatigue is not ordinary tiredness, it is cellular, and what that means for your energy

➡️ Why so many women are gaining visceral fat despite doing everything right, and what the research actually says about metabolism in midlife

➡️ Dr Marisa's most practical daily habits for rebuilding energy, including her take on electrolyte water

➡️ Why addressing your nervous system is not a wellness add-on. It is a clinical priority.

If this episode made something click for you, send it to one woman in your life who keeps saying she just does not feel like herself anymore. She probably has not had anyone explain it to her like this. And if you found it useful, leave a review so more women can find the show.

Dr. Mariza is coming back for part two, where the conversation goes deep on food, gut health, protein, and how to eat in a way that actually supports your midlife body. You will not want to miss it.

Follow Dr. Mariza Snyder

https://www.instagram.com/drmariza/

https://drmariza.com/

https://www.facebook.com/drmarizasnyder/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmariza https://www.amazon.com/Perimenopause-Revolution-Reclaim-Hormones-Metabolism/dp/1401997406

------------------

Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

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Chapters

01:14 — Meet Dr Mariza Snyder: hormone specialist and author

02:17 — Why perimenopause symptoms are so unpredictable

06:04 — The woman who thought she was a fraud for feeling better

18:21 — Gaining weight despite doing everything right

20:01 — Insulin resistance in perimenopause: what is actually happening

23:37 — Cortisol explained: what it is, why it matters, what to do

31:06 — What role does inflammation play in perimenopause

39:18 — What is going wrong with energy in perimenopause

42:48 — The vicious cycle: fatigue, cravings, and mitochondria explained

44:41 — Tired but wired: why your brain energy feels scattered

49:58 — Daily habits that make the biggest difference to energy

56:20 — Three takeaways from Dr Shauna

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Keywords

perimenopause fatigue

why am i so tired female 40s

perimenopause symptoms explained

hormone imbalance women

midlife exhaustion causes

why women gain weight in 40s

chronic stress and hormones

mitochondria energy women

perimenopause mood swings

Perimenopause Q&A: Symptoms, HRT, Misdiagnosis, Vaginal Health and Pelvic Floor Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/

If you have ever been handed antidepressants when what you actually needed was a hormone check, this episode is the conversation you should have had in that doctor's office.

This is Part 2 of the live Q&A event hosted by Dr Shaun Watts where a panel of experts answered the questions about perimenopause that women are rarely given time to ask. If you have not listened to Part 1 yet, head back first. It covers the basics, mental health, sexual health, pelvic health, GLP-1s, and the ADHD overlap.

This episode picks up with the room-wide questions that got the most honest answers of the afternoon.

What is covered in this episode:

• The truth about the "5-year HRT rule" (and the 10-year one): where it came from and why it is completely outdated

• Perimenopause misdiagnosis: why depression and anxiety are the most commonly missed diagnoses, and how to push back

• Thyroid dysfunction and B12 deficiency: the two conditions that mimic almost every perimenopause symptom and are frequently missed

• A head-to-toe walkthrough of 42+ perimenopause symptoms, from hair thinning and tinnitus to joint pain, rage, and insomnia

• Vaginal hormones explained: what they are, who they are for, and why every woman can benefit

• The monthly vulva check: a simple shower routine that could help you catch changes early and advocate for yourself

If this episode made you feel seen, send it to one woman in your life who needs to hear it. She might not have the words for what she is going through yet, but this might help her find them. And if you found it useful, leave a review so more women can find the show.

For more resources:

Prof. Heather Irvine-Rundle:https://www.instagram.com/heatherirvine/

Gina Jeffreys: https://www.instagram.com/gina_jeffreys/

Dr Shauna Watts: https://www.instagram.com/dr.shaunawatts/

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Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

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Chapters

2:40 - What are vaginal hormones and who should use them?5:11 - Perimenopause misdiagnosis: when symptoms are mistaken for depression

6:47 - Thyroid and B12 deficiency: symptoms that mimic perimenopause

8:00 - The 5-year HRT rule debunked: how long should you actually take HRT?

13:28 - Bioidentical vs body identical HRT: what is the actual difference?

17:43 - 42+ perimenopause symptoms from head to toe

23:30 - The vagus nerve and nervous system regulation in perimenopause

30:59 - Plant-based diet and menopause: can 30 plants a week reduce symptoms?

34:33 - Monthly vulva check: how to know your baseline and advocate for yourself

Keywords

perimenopause symptoms

HRT how long to take

perimenopause misdiagnosis

vaginal hormones

bioidentical vs body identical HRT

perimenopause and depression

menopause palpitations

pelvic floor perimenopause

vagus nerve menopause

perimenopause brain fog

HRT gel vs patch

menopause joint pain

prolapse perimenopause

endometriosis and HRT

perimenopause in your 30s

Dr Shauna Watts

All About You podcast

menopause Q&A

hot flushes treatment

breathing for nervous system

plant-based diet menopause

thyroid vs perimenopause

B12 deficiency perimenopause

Perimenopause Sleep Guide All Women MUST Watch Apr 12, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/

Struggling to sleep through the night in perimenopause?

Many women do and it’s not just stress or lifestyle. In this episode of the All About You Podcast, Dr. Shauna Watts unpacks the hormonal reasons behind disrupted sleep and shares strategies that actually work.

Sleep disruption is one of the most common and overlooked symptoms of perimenopause. Dr. Watts, a GP specializing in perimenopause and menopause care, explains why poor sleep in midlife isn’t just “part of getting older.” It’s hormonal, biological, and absolutely treatable.

In this episode, listeners will learn:

— Why sleep deprivation in perimenopause is more serious than fatigue

— How changes in estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol affect sleep

— The four major “sleep thieves” keeping women awake: early morning awakenings, night sweats, racing thoughts, and light or fragmented sleep

— Practical strategies to improve sleep, including temperature management, sleep routines, food choices, and cortisol regulation

— The truth about supplements, magnesium, melatonin, and the role of HRT in restoring restful sleep

— How addressing sleep first can improve mood, metabolism, and long-term health

— When to consider sleep studies or thyroid checks

For anyone waking at 2 a.m., sweating through the night, or getting up unrefreshed despite doing “all the right things,” this episode provides insights into what’s happening in the body and practical tools to reclaim restorative, rejuvenating sleep.

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Learn more about the 16 week Rediscover You program here:🔗https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/

Leave a Voice Note

Have a question about perimenopause, brain fog, anxiety, or midlife confidence? Leave a 45-second voice note via our website below. Your question may be featured in a future episode.🔗https://www.allaboutyoupod.com

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Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

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Chapters

01:22 – Sleep deprivation: a hidden health crisis

03:10 – Sleep is not a lifestyle choice

04:03 – Deep sleep & brain health

05:17 – Hormones, hunger, and metabolism

07:32 – Hormonal triggers of sleep disruption

12:25 – Four major sleep thieves in perimenopause

15:36 – Practical strategies to improve sleep

18:17 – Food, magnesium, and melatonin tips

24:34 – How HRT can restore sleep

27:02 – Sleep apnea, thyroid, and additional considerations

28:34 – CBT for insomnia and final takeaways

Keywords

Perimenopause sleep

menopause sleep problems

hormonal sleep disruption

hot flashes at night

night sweats

sleep deprivation women

perimenopause fatigue

HRT sleep

progesterone sleep

cortisol sleep issues

midlife women sleep

perimenopause solutions

sleep tips menopause

magnesium sleep

melatonin perimenopause

Experts Reveal What’s Really Happening to Women in Midlife Apr 05, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/

Most women don’t realise what’s happening to them in midlife, they just know they don’t feel like themselves anymore.

In this special International Women’s Day episode, Dr. Shauna Watts hosts a live panel with experts in women’s health, psychology, pelvic health, and a powerful personal story from someone who has lived it.

This conversation breaks down what’s really happening during perimenopause and midlife, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and why so many women feel like they’ve suddenly “lost themselves.”

In this episode, we cover:

• Why anxiety, low mood, and overwhelm show up in midlife

• The real reason sleep changes, including the 3am wake-ups

• How hormonal shifts affect weight, energy, and confidence

• What’s happening to libido, arousal, and sexual health

• The role of pelvic floor health in strength, continence, and pleasure

• How stress and life load impact mental health during this stage

• What CBT for insomnia is and why it works

• The link between trauma history and menopause symptoms

• Why many women feel dismissed in the healthcare system

• The truth about hormone therapy and why it’s been confusing

• Why weight gain feels harder and the rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic

This episode is about replacing confusion with clarity.

When you understand what’s happening, you stop blaming yourself and start making decisions that actually support you.

For more resources:

Prof. Heather Irvine-Rundle:https://www.instagram.com/heatherirvine/

Gina Jeffreys: https://www.instagram.com/gina_jeffreys/

Dr Shauna Watts: https://www.instagram.com/dr.shaunawatts/

----------------------

Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

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Chapters

01:23 — Meet the Women’s Health Panel

02:30 — Early Menopause & Gina’s Story

05:22 — From Confidence to Anxiety

07:36 — Weight Gain & Body Changes Explained

10:09 — Why Weight Loss Stops Working

13:32 — Mood Swings, Irritability & Anxiety

15:19 — What Midlife Anxiety Feels Like

18:27 — The Truth About Hormone Therapy (HRT)

22:30 — Mental Health, Brain Fog & Overwhelm

25:41 — Sleep Problems & the 3AM Wake-Up

28:01 — CBT for Insomnia That Actually Works

44:34 — Sex, Libido & Why Desire Changes

52:41 — Pelvic Health, Hormones & GLP-1 (Ozempic)

Keywords

perimenopause symptoms

menopause anxiety

midlife women health

hormonal changes women 40s

perimenopause mental health

menopause weight gain

loss of libido women

pelvic health midlife

CBT insomnia menopause

hormone therapy women

midlife identity crisis women

women’s health podcast

Dr Shauna Watts

menopause support

Snoring vs Sleep Apnea: What Women Should Know Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/

Snoring? Jaw tension? Waking up exhausted even after a full night in bed?

Most women are told these are just part of getting older or something to “push through.” But what if the real issue isn’t just hormones, it’s your airway?

In this episode, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down with integrative dentist Dr. Martina Lavery to unpack a piece of the midlife health puzzle that’s often missed: the role your mouth, jaw, and breathing play in sleep quality.

Because for many women in perimenopause and menopause, sleep disruption like night sweats or stress. It’s structural, it’s physiological and it’s often diagnosable.

Here’s what else you’ll learn:

- Why snoring often shows up or worsens in midlife

- How hormonal changes affect your airway and breathing

- The difference between snoring and sleep apnea

- Why so many women feel embarrassed talking about snoring

- What actually helps, from sleep studies to dental devices

- Why CPAP is not the only option

- How jaw position impacts your ability to breathe at night

- The signs your dentist might notice before you do

- The truth about trends like mouth taping

This conversation connects the dots between snoring, sleep-disordered breathing, jaw tension, and oral health. So you can stop guessing and start addressing the root cause.

Learn more about the 16 week Rediscover You program here:🔗https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/

Leave a Voice Note

Follow Dr. Martina Lavery on socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martina.lavery.96/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_martina_lavery/

Website: https://plusaesthetics.com.au/pages/martina-lavery

Website: https://martinadental.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-lavery-36926a142/

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Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

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Chapters

00:22 - What Changes in Midlife Sleep

01:15 - Why Snoring Gets Worse in Menopause

02:24 - How Your Airway Affects Sleep Quality

03:01 - Snoring vs Sleep Apnea Explained

04:03 - Why You Should Get a Sleep Study

05:09 - CPAP Machines and Why People Avoid Them

06:07 - Do Dental Devices Actually Work for Snoring

07:35 - Risks of Jaw Splints You Should Know

09:05 - Mouth Taping Helpful or Just a Trend

12:09 - Why Your Lips and Mouth Change with Age

16:30 - Signs Your Dentist Can See in Your Mouth

20:16 - How Your Smile Impacts Confidence and Life

Keywords

perimenopause

sleep problems

menopause snoring

why am I snoring more

sleep apnea symptoms women

oral health and sleep

jaw clenching

menopause

teeth grinding at night women

mandibular splint sleep

CPAP alternatives

Shauna Watts

Martina Lavery

When Sex Feels Hard in Midlife: What Couples Need to Know Mar 22, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about the Rediscover You Program here: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/16-week-rediscover-you-program/

If desire and closeness are shifting in your relationship during perimenopause, this episode breaks down exactly why it happens, what couples can do, and how to stay connected without pressure, guilt, or shame.

In this episode of All About You, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down with Senior Clinical Psychologist and Certified Gottman Therapist, Natalie King, to explore how perimenopause impacts intimacy, desire, and emotional connection in midlife relationships.

For many couples, sexual desire doesn’t vanish overnight. Instead, it shifts gradually, influenced by physical changes like hormonal fluctuations, sleep disruption, fatigue, and vaginal dryness, as well as emotional stress and brain fog. Natalie explains why emotional safety often matters more than libido for women during this stage of life and shares evidence-informed strategies to help couples reconnect without pressure or blame.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

Understanding spontaneous vs. responsive desire and how it changes in perimenopause
Practical ways to communicate about sex and intimacy without creating pressure
Why emotional connection is essential for sexual satisfaction
How to maintain closeness even when sex isn’t possible
Strategies to support partners and navigate guilt or fear
Gradual approaches for couples overcoming painful sex or low libido
Managing relationship changes while preserving connection and mutual understanding

Whether you’re experiencing changes in desire, struggling with guilt, or simply want to understand how to maintain closeness in midlife, this episode provides practical guidance, supportive insights, and reassurance that you’re not alone.

Stay connected, informed, and compassionate with your partner as you navigate the changes that come with perimenopause.

Learn more about the 16 week Rediscover You program here:🔗https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/16-week-rediscover-you-menopause-program/

Leave a Voice Note

Follow and learn more from Natalie King here:https://thereadclinic.com/practitioners/natalie-king/

Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247

Chapters

01:10 - Emotional and Physical Intimacy Shifts Explained

03:45 - Communication Secrets for Better Desire

04:31 - Creating Emotional Safety During Perimenopause

06:53 - How to Build Intimacy Rituals With Your Partner

09:07 - Spontaneous vs Responsive Desire in Midlife

13:18 - Staying Affectionate Without Pressure

16:29 - Rediscover You Program for Midlife Women

37:02 - Curiosity, Patience, and Flexibility in Relationships

Keywords

perimenopause intimacy

midlife desire changes

couples counseling midlife

emotional connection in relationships

responsive desire women

rekindling intimacy perimenopause

relationship advice

40+navigating libido changes

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