95: Behind the Scenes of Australia's Menopause Movement with Johanna Wicks

How does an experienced women"s health advocate struggle to recognise her own perimenopausal symptoms? Join me as I explore Johanna Wicks" journey from confusion to advocacy, sparked by Dr. Ginni Mansberg"s enlightening book, "The M Word." Jo"s story reveals a significant gap in women"s health education and sets the stage for her influential role in the national conversation on menopause in Australia. Through powerful initiatives, Jo has reshaped the landscape of menopause awareness and policy. We"ll take you behind the scenes of a groundbreaking event at Parliament House, where collaboration became the cornerstone of impactful change. Thanks to the support of the Parliamentary Friends of Women"s Health, this initiative transformed into a successful Parliamentary Roundtable. Hear about the diverse voices that shaped the event, including Dr Ginni Mansberg and Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, and how their insights resonated with parliament members. These efforts laid the groundwork for ongoing meetings with experts and officials, paving the way for perimenopause to gain recognition at a national level. As advocacy goes global, we"re urging you to leverage your voice and voting power to push for the implementation of 25 Senate inquiry recommendations on menopause. With an upcoming election, public pressure is key to ensuring women"s health moves to the top of political agendas. We highlight the need for broader government action, such as a public awareness campaign for younger generations. Our conversation underscores the evolving narrative of menopause, from a hidden issue to a mainstream movement, fueled by passionate advocates and influential media initiatives. We wrap the episode up with the introduction of a new segment in which Jo and I unpack what"s happening in the menopause zeitgeist in real time! Links discussed in this episode Email Template for sending to government, opposition and local members provided by Wellfemme Article in The Guardian UK by Kate Muir on bone health The (M) Factor Film by Tamsen Fadal The M Word Book by Dr Ginni Mansberg Thank you for listening to my show! Join the conversation on Instagram