Anyone in the vicinity of the Phee Broadway Theatre last Friday would have been witness to a constant stream of middle-aged women steadily making their way into the library foyer in a manner somewhat reminiscent of a clandestine suffragette meeting (perhaps the women of Castlemaine are ready for their own uprising?).
The meeting was, in fact, the launch of ‘The Pause’, a new podcast exploring all things menopause and perimenopause, with a local twist. Created by MainFM radio hosts Lucy Armstrong and Kya Moore, the series features interviews with local health practitioners, experts and passionate advocates who are making a difference in the menopause space.
The event was a smorgasbord of information with a panel discussion featuring local experts from the podcast, and incredible dance number performed by local dance troupe Nudibranch Crew (who recently performed in Hot Moves No Pressure) and an informative talk by respected community health nurse Bron Grieve, who, despite the sobering facts, had the audience in fits of laughter.
“Menopause isn’t a breakdown, menopause is a biological invitation to re calibrate — update inner pathways that have shaped who you have been / had to be up to now,” Bron said.
“This invitation to recalibrate is so you can consciously live as who you truly are today and moving forward.”
So, what is menopause? The average age is 51, but it can occur anywhere between 45 and 55. It’s not just about periods. The ovaries stop releasing oestrogen and eggs and the change to reproductive hormones can have a cascade of effects.
According to Bron, the stages of menopause, perimenopause, pre-menopause and post-menopause can be a roller-coaster.
In the pre-menopause stage you can still be getting regular periods, but experience fluctuating hormones and symptoms (the ‘Am I going bonkers’ stage). In perimenopause, you will have irregular menstrual periods and symptoms due to fluctuating hormones (the ‘I really am going bonkers’ stage) and menopause, which is when you have no period for 12 months and are over 45 years (the ‘I’m officially bonkers’ stage). The post-menopause stage is the first five years after menopause and although the roller-coaster ride of hormones finishes, the symptoms may not.
“Hopefully, with a greater understanding of what is going on inside you will feel more empowered to review your choices on the outside, no one size fits all,” Bron said. “Any treatments should always be combined with lifestyle changes — it’s never too late to start exercising and do what makes you happy!”
Some of the symptoms of menopause are: brain fog, sleep issues, hot flushes and night sweats, additions and subtractions to hair (in all the wrong places), aches and pains, weight gain, crawling or itching sensations, irritability, mood swings, reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness, and noise and light sensitivity.
It feels a bit doom and gloom, doesn’t it? But Bron said that it was important to learn to embrace being perfectly imperfect.
“Start having more fun. Watch Bad Sisters on Apple. Dance a silly dance. And stop comparing yourself to others, and to your previous self, because this is never going to make you happy,” Bron said.
“Learn to love and laugh at those fat rolls, wrinkles, crying at ads, forgetting why you came into a room and make sure you surround yourself with others who enable you to meet some of the challenges.”
Some suggested resources include: The Pause podcast (of course), It’s the Menopause Book by Kaz Cooke, Facebook group ‘Castlemaine hot flashy-peri/menopause’, The Menopause Mindfield by Beyond Blue and a host of others.
Listen to episode one featuring Bron Grieve at: thepausepodcast.com.au
Lucy Armstrong and Kya Moore have created an entertaining and informative podcast discussing all things menopause with local experts. 
Only in Castlemaine would a menopause talk begin with a fabulous dance routine!
