S02E14: The Menopause Conversation We Should’ve Had Years Ago | Dr Julia Rawlinson

Menopause affects every woman, yet for many people, it’s still a conversation shrouded in confusion, silence, and a lack of information. In this episode of In the Trenches, Dr Julia Rawlinson joins the podcast to unpack the realities of perimenopause and menopause, the symptoms many women experience years before diagnosis, and why so many suffer in silence without realising what’s happening. Julia explains how menopause impacts far more than just hormones, affecting sleep, mood, cognition, bone health, relationships, confidence, and even women’s ability to stay in the workforce. The conversation also explores hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the misconceptions surrounding it, and the importance of evidence-based care and open discussion. What Dr Julia Rawlinson Covers:• The difference between perimenopause and menopause • Why symptoms can begin years before menopause • Brain fog, anxiety, sleep disruption, and mood changes • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) explained • The controversy surrounding menopause research and HRT • The impact of menopause on work, relationships, and daily life • Bone health, exercise, and long-term wellbeing • Why better menopause education and awareness is needed Dr Julia Rawlinson is a GP, Emergency Medicine Certificate holder, and member of the Australasian Menopause Society. Drawing from both her medical expertise and lived experience as a mother of three, Julia brings a practical, compassionate, and evidence-based perspective to one of the most misunderstood health transitions women face. If you or someone close to you has ever wondered whether symptoms like exhaustion, irritability, anxiety, brain fog, or disrupted sleep could be connected to perimenopause or menopause, this conversation is an essential starting point. Powered by The Finance Agency — salary-paid finance brokers for forward-thinking Australian business owners. financeagency.com.au