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 OzempicThis 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/drshaunawattsgpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247Disclaimer: 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.----------------------Chapters01:23 — Meet the Women’s Health Panel02:30 — Early Menopause & Gina’s Story05:22 — From Confidence to Anxiety07:36 — Weight Gain & Body Changes Explained10:09 — Why Weight Loss Stops Working13:32 — Mood Swings, Irritability & Anxiety15:19 — What Midlife Anxiety Feels Like18:27 — The Truth About Hormone Therapy (HRT)22:30 — Mental Health, Brain Fog & Overwhelm25:41 — Sleep Problems & the 3AM Wake-Up28:01 — CBT for Insomnia That Actually Works44:34 — Sex, Libido & Why Desire Changes52:41 — Pelvic Health, Hormones & GLP-1 (Ozempic)Keywordsperimenopause symptomsmenopause anxietymidlife women healthhormonal changes women 40sperimenopause mental healthmenopause weight gainloss of libido womenpelvic health midlifeCBT insomnia menopausehormone therapy womenmidlife identity crisis womenwomen’s health podcastDr Shauna Wattsmenopause support

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