All About You With Dr Shauna Watts

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

Is menopause really making your brain worse, or have we been believing the wrong story?

In this episode of All About You, Dr Shauna Watts sits down with renowned neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay, author of The Women's Brain Book, to unpack what actually happens to the female brain during perimenopause and menopause.

From brain fog and memory changes to anxiety, ADHD diagnoses and hormone therapy, Dr Sarah separates social media myths from the latest neuroscience research. She explains why many women actually reach their cognitive peak during midlife, why emotional regulation improves with age, and how experience becomes one of your brain's greatest strengths.

Together, they explore why brain fog happens, how fluctuating estrogen affects the brain, the relationship between hot flushes and anxiety, and what the research really says about protecting your brain health as you age.

If you've ever worried that menopause is damaging your brain, this evidence-based conversation will completely change how you think about midlife.
Why your brain doesn't peak in your 20s

The truth about menopause brain fog

How estrogen influences memory, attention and cognition

Why many women are diagnosed with ADHD during perimenopause

The connection between hot flushes, anxiety and the nervous system

Whether hormone therapy can improve brain health

What white matter hyperintensities actually mean

The biggest lifestyle factors that protect your brain as you age

Why hearing loss is an overlooked risk factor for dementia

Evidence-based ways to maintain a healthy brain for life

Whether you're navigating perimenopause yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand how the female brain changes through midlife, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed insights that every woman should know.

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear that brain aging isn't the whole story.

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Follow Dr. Sarah McKay
https://drsarahmckay.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmmckay/
https://www.instagram.com/drsarahmckay/?hl=en
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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.

-----------------Chapters
00:00 Why Your Brain Doesn't Peak at 25
01:15 Meet Neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay
02:25 The Biggest Myths About the Midlife Brain
10:26 What Is Brain Fog, Really?
16:07 Hormones and the Female Brain Explained
24:34 ADHD and Perimenopause: What's Happening?
31:28 Hot Flushes, Anxiety and the Nervous System
36:16 Are Hot Flushes Damaging Your Brain?
43:59 The Best Ways to Protect Your Brain Health
48:46 Hearing Loss and Dementia Risk
53:01 Loneliness, Brain Health and Healthy Aging
55:00 Why Women's Brain Health Needs Better Research
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Keywords

Menopause Brain Fog
Perimenopause Brain Fog
Dr Sarah McKay
Women's Brain Health
Menopause Symptoms
Midlife Brain
Brain Health for Women
ADHD and Menopause
Cognitive Flexibility
Hormones and the Brain
Estrogen Brain Health
Menopause Podcast
Women's Health Podcast
Neuroscience
Perimenopause Symptoms
Hot Flushes
Brain Fog Explained
Women's Hormones
Healthy Aging, Longevity
Dementia Prevention
Brain Health After 40
Women's Cognitive Health
Midlife Women's Health
Hormone Therapy
HRT
Memory Problems
Menopause Education
Women's Brain Book
Dr Shauna Watts

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

You rang the bell. Your chemotherapy is over. Your scans are clear. Everyone tells you to celebrate.

So why do so many cancer survivors feel anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted and completely unprepared for what comes next?

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down again with oncologist Dr. Ranjana Srivastava to explore the often-overlooked reality of life after cancer treatment.

Together they discuss why many patients struggle most after treatment ends, the emotional weight of survivorship, persistent brain fog, fear of recurrence, body image, relationships, intimacy, quality of life, and why cancer care should never stop when chemotherapy does.

This episode is an honest conversation about recovery, resilience and treating the whole person, not just the disease.

Whether you're a cancer survivor, supporting someone through recovery, or you're a healthcare professional, this conversation offers practical advice, reassurance and hope.

In this episode you'll learn:
➡️ Why many cancer survivors struggle after treatment ends
➡️ How fear of cancer recurrence affects daily life
➡️ The truth about chemotherapy brain fog and cognitive changes
➡️ Why quality of life should be part of every treatment decision
➡️ How hormone therapies can impact physical and emotional wellbeing
➡️ Why patients should never feel guilty about discussing side effects
➡️ How relationships, intimacy and body image change after cancer
➡️ The role of exercise, nutrition and rehabilitation during recovery
➡️ Why every cancer patient deserves personalised care

Cancer treatment may end, but healing takes much longer. This episode reminds us that recovery is about far more than surviving. It's about rebuilding a life worth living.

If this conversation helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it.

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Follow Dr. Ranjana Shrivastava
https://ranjanasrivastava.com/
https://au.linkedin.com/in/dr-ranjana-srivastava-oam-1401681b2

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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
01:07 Why life after cancer can be the hardest stage
03:18 Feeling abandoned after chemotherapy ends
05:18 Body image, relationships and life after cancer
08:02 Brain fog after chemotherapy explained
13:49 Why patients shouldn't suffer in silence
16:52 Cancer survivors don't have to be grateful all the time
20:18 Understanding treatment risks and quality of life
23:20 Scan anxiety and living with uncertainty
31:07 Why doctors avoid saying "you're cured"
35:10 The hidden mental health struggles after cancer
37:52 Intimacy, relationships and sexual health after treatment
42:00 Exercise, nutrition and recovery after cancer
46:07 Building the ideal cancer support team
50:29 Three lessons every cancer survivor should hear

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Keywords
Life After Cancer
Cancer Recovery
Cancer Survivorship
Cancer Survivor Support
Life After Chemotherapy
Recovering From Cancer
Cancer Recovery Journey
Fear of Cancer Recurrence
Scanxiety
Chemo Brain
Brain Fog After Chemotherapy
Emotional Recovery After Cancer
Mental Health After Cancer
Quality of Life After Cancer
Breast Cancer Recovery
Cancer Rehabilitation
Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Life After Cancer Treatment
Cancer Patient Support
Cancer Survivor Journey

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're a woman over 35, this may be one of the most important conversations you'll ever hear.

Orthopedic surgeon and longevity expert Dr. Vonda Wright joins Dr. Shauna Watts to explain why menopause affects far more than hot flushes. From muscle loss and osteoporosis to joint pain, heart health and cognitive decline, declining estrogen impacts nearly every system in the body.

Dr. Wright shares the science behind why women become frail as they age, why strength training is one of the most powerful forms of medicine, and how hormone therapy may help protect long-term health when used appropriately.

Whether you're approaching perimenopause, already post-menopausal, or simply want to age stronger, this episode is packed with practical, evidence-based advice that could change the way you think about your future.

In this episode we discuss:
➡️ The connection between menopause and joint pain
➡️Frozen shoulder and musculoskeletal syndrome explained
➡️How menopause accelerates bone and muscle loss
➡️Osteoporosis, osteopenia and why fractures become so dangerous
➡️The role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
➡️Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone explained
➡️Why protein becomes essential during menopause
➡️Anti-inflammatory nutrition for healthy aging
➡️Supplements for bone health, including vitamin D and calcium
➡️How to reduce your risk of frailty and maintain independence as you age

One of Dr. Wright's most powerful messages is that frailty isn't an inevitable part of aging. With the right knowledge and daily habits, women can build stronger bones, preserve muscle, protect their health and dramatically improve their quality of life.

If this episode helped you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a woman who needs to hear this conversation.

Follow Dr. Vonda Wright
https://www.drvondawright.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drvondawright/?hl=en
https://fl.hughston.com/providers/wright/
https://www.youtube.com/@vondawright

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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
00:00 Why Women Become Frail
02:13 Meet Dr. Vonda Wright
05:23 Why Menopause Causes Joint Pain
09:32 Making Your Estrogen Decision
13:21 Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone Explained
16:34 Building Muscle During Menopause
19:22 The Best Exercise Plan After 40
26:11 Weighted Vests & Bone Health
27:02 When Should You Get a DEXA Scan?
31:13 Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?
33:22 Calcium, Vitamin D & Supplements
35:22 Changing the Way Doctors Treat Menopause
39:10 The Most Important Message for Women
42:09 Advice to Her Younger Self

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Keywords
menopause
perimenopause
Dr Vonda Wright
menopause symptoms
hormone replacement therapy
HRT
estrogen
bone health
osteoporosis
muscle loss
strength training for women
menopause fitness
longevity
women's health
healthy aging
frozen shoulder menopause
menopause joint pain
osteopenia
bone density
DEXA scan
sarcopenia
menopause exercise
anti-inflammatory diet
protein intake for women
testosterone for women
progesterone
healthy aging for women
preventing frailty
women's longevity
menopause doctor

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

What if the most important conversations at the end of life aren't about treatment, but about relationships, regrets, and the things we never say out loud?

Death is something every one of us will face, yet it's one of the subjects we talk about the least.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Shauna Watts sits down with oncologist, author, and award-winning writer Dr. Ranjana Srivastava to explore what really happens when people approach the end of life.

Together they unpack the difficult conversations families often avoid, the pressure many patients feel to keep pursuing treatment, and what a “better death” might actually look like.

Drawing on decades of experience caring for people with advanced cancer, Dr. Ranjana shares the lessons she's learned from patients and families navigating some of life's hardest moments.

This is a conversation about honesty, dignity, compassion, and the human side of medicine.

In this episode:
➡️Why death and dying remain difficult topics in modern healthcare
➡️The cultural differences that shape how we talk about mortality
➡️Why many families avoid conversations about prognosis
➡️The hidden pressure patients feel to keep "fighting"
➡️The problem with warrior language around cancer
➡️How treatment can sometimes come at the cost of quality of life
➡️Understanding "time toxicity" and why it matters
➡️What palliative care really is and why it should start earlier
➡️The role of psychology and emotional support during serious illness
➡️The regrets dying patients most commonly express
➡️Practical advice for patients, families, and caregivers navigating end-of-life care

Dr. Ranjana's insights are compassionate, deeply human, and an important reminder that a good death is not about giving up hope. It's about understanding what matters most and making space for the conversations that truly count.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who may benefit from hearing it.

Because sometimes the most meaningful conversations are the ones we've been avoiding.

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Follow Dr. Ranjana Shrivastava
https://ranjanasrivastava.com/
https://au.linkedin.com/in/dr-ranjana-srivastava-oam-1401681b2
-------------
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-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
01:08 - Why We Need to Talk About Death More Openly
05:25 - Cultural Lessons on Death, Dying & Acceptance
10:55 - The Conversations Families Avoid Most
14:06 - When Treatment Delays End-of-Life Planning
19:34 - The Hidden Cost of Cancer: Time Toxicity
21:05 - Why Cancer Isn't a Battle to Win or Lose
24:25 - Should Families Tell Loved Ones They're Dying?
30:02 - Why Patients Often Don't Hear the Full Story
33:14 - The Missing Mental Health Support in Cancer Care
36:30 - What People Fear Most About Dying
38:19 - Why Palliative Care Should Start Earlier
43:26 - The Biggest Regrets People Have at the End of Life
46:16 - What Makes a Better Death?
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Keywords
death and dying
palliative care
end of life care
cancer treatment decisions
terminal illness
grief and loss
hospice care
advance care planning
difficult conversations
Oncology
Dr Ranjana Shrivastava
better death
family communication
cancer support
quality of life
end of life decisions
dying with dignity
patient advocacy
caregiver support
Mortality
healthcare communication

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 listened to our recent conversation on iron deficiency, this episode is the perfect follow-up.Many women assume symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, low mood, poor sleep and declining energy are simply part of perimenopause. But vitamin D and B12 deficiencies can create remarkably similar symptoms and are often overlooked in the process.In this episode of "All About You", Dr. Shauna Watts sit down with GP and women's health clinician Dr. Ebony Tosch to unpack two of the most common deficiencies we see in midlife women. They discuss why these deficiencies are so common, how they affect everything from mood and cognition to bone health, what optimal levels actually look like, and when supplements or injections may be necessary.They also explore the connection between vitamin D, magnesium and bone density, why B12 absorption becomes more challenging for some women, and the important blood tests worth discussing with your doctor.
If you've ever been told your results are "normal" but you still don't feel like yourself, this conversation may help you uncover an important missing piece of the puzzle.In this episode, they discuss:➡️ Why vitamin D deficiency is common even in sunny climates➡️ The role vitamin D plays in mood, immunity and bone health➡️ Normal versus optimal vitamin D levels➡️ The connection between vitamin D, magnesium and K2➡️ When bone density scans should be considered➡️ Common causes of vitamin B12 deficiency➡️ Symptoms of low B12, including fatigue and neurological changes➡️ The difference between oral supplements and B12 injections➡️ How medications can affect B12 absorption➡️ Why nutritional deficiencies are often mistaken for hormonal symptoms➡️ The blood tests every woman should understand in midlife➡️ How to advocate for yourself when seeking answers➡️ Perimenopause is only one part of the picture. Sometimes the symptoms you're experiencing have a different cause and, importantly, a different solution.If this episode helped you better understand your health, follow the podcast and share it with a woman who needs to hear this conversation.—------------Follow Dr. Ebony Toschhttps://www.healthhunter.au/practitioners/dr-ebony-toshhttps://www.drebonytosch.com/about-------------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.-----------------Chapters00:00 - Why Vitamin D & B12 Deficiencies Are So Common01:21 - Symptoms Often Mistaken for Perimenopause03:23 - Why Vitamin D Deficiency Happens Even in Sunny Countries05:31 - Normal vs Optimal Vitamin D Levels Explained06:56 - Do You Need Calcium With Vitamin D?08:14 - Best Vitamin D Supplements: D3, Dosage & Absorption11:08 - The Vitamin D, Magnesium & K2 Connection15:21 - Bone Density Scans: Why Women Should Test Earlier20:21 - Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms Every Woman Should Know22:02 - Foods Rich in Vitamin B1223:28 - Causes of Low B12: Gut Health, Alcohol & Absorption Issues26:23 - When B12 Injections Work Better Than Supplements32:05 - The Blood Tests Midlife Women Should Ask For --------Keywordsvitamin D deficiency symptomsvitamin B12 deficiency symptomsperimenopause fatiguebrain fog in menopausevitamin D and menopauseB12 deficiency in womenwomen's health podcastmenopause symptomsosteoporosis preventionbone density scanvitamin D supplementsvitamin B12 injectionsmidlife women's healthmenopause and nutrition