Making Sense Of Menopause
Welcome to Making SENSE of Menopause, the podcast for women in perimenopause and beyond who feel stuck, dismissed, or just not like themselves anymore.
I’m Roberta Bass, a Women’s Health Physiotherapist, Menopause Mentor and CONTROL Practitioner. Inspired by my own sister’s experience of feeling lost in the healthcare maze, I created this show to give you the real talk, practical tips, and mindset shifts you need.
Here, we chat about everything from subconscious change and lifestyle tweaks to the SENSE method and the full spectrum of menopause support—from HRT to Hypnosis. It’s all about giving you a strong foundation and then exploring what truly works for you.
No cookie-cutter advice here—just real conversations, personal stories, and small, doable steps to help you start feeling better. Let’s make sense of menopause together, one conversation at a time.
🎥 Start with our free masterclass: www.thriveandshinewomenswellness.co.uk/masterclass
Or if you’d prefer one-to-one support, book a personal consultation at www.thriveandshinewomenswellness.co.uk.
Episodes
69 episodes
Why Perimenopause and Menopause Cause Joint Pain — And What to Do About It
Episode OverviewAre you waking up stiff and achy every morning? Struggling with hip pain, shoulder pain, or back pain that doesn't seem to respond to treatment? If you're in perimenopause or postmenopause, your hormones could be a...
Is Alcohol Making Your Menopause Symptoms Worse?
Episode OverviewIf you've been reaching for a glass of wine or a G&T at the end of a long day, you're not alone — and you're not being judged. But if you're navigating perimenopause or menopause, it's worth asking: is alcoh...
Menopause and Low Self-Esteem: How to Rebuild Your Confidence from the Inside Out
If menopause has knocked your confidence, you're not alone. In this episode we look at why self-esteem takes such a hit during menopause — and what you can do about it at a deeper, subconscious level. Because you can wear all the right colours ...
Does What You Wear Affect How You Feel? (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
In this episode, I share my experience of going for a colour analysis and how it made me reflect on something much deeper than just clothes.We often think confidence comes from how we look—but actually, it’s about how we feel in ourselve...
Why Teenagers and Perimenopause Feel So Similar (And What We Can Learn)
In this episode, I share a personal story about the challenges of parenting a teenager—and how it surprisingly mirrors the experience of perimenopause.We explore how hormonal fluctuations affect behaviour, emotions, and reactions, and wh...
“Just Get On With It?” The Lack of Support After Hysterectomy and Women’s Health Surgery
Have you ever been told to “just get on with it” after surgery?In this episode, I share a real patient story that highlights a much bigger issue in women’s health: the lack of support, follow-up, and education after major gynaecological ...
A Jigsaw: The Missing Piece to Switching Off (Stress Management in Menopause)
Do you struggle to switch off at the end of the day? Feel like your mind is constantly racing, even when you’re trying to relax?In this episode, I share how something simple—doing a jigsaw—has become a powerful way for me to swi...
Be More Like a Bear: Letting Go of Comparison in Perimenopause
What if you stopped comparing yourself to everyone else and simply allowed yourself to be? In this episode, Roberta explores a clip featuring Stephen Fry and Robin Williams, where Fry makes a striking observation: animals don’t try ...
Laughter Is the Best Medicine: Why It Matters So Much in Perimenopause
When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? In this episode, Roberta explores why laughter isn’t just something that “feels nice” — it has measurable effects on your stress hormones, nervous system, and emotional wellbeing. And during...
Odd Socks and Overwhelm: Why the Small Things Hit Harder in Perimenopause
In this episode, Roberta explores how the small, unnecessary pressures we carry every day—matching socks, tidy houses, perfect routines—quietly overload our stress bucket, especially during perimenopause when hormonal changes reduce re...
Would Your Body Pass Its MOT? Understanding Menopause Warning Signs
Most of us would never ignore a flashing light on the dashboard — yet many women ignore the early signs of perimenopause for months or even years. In this episode, Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Menopause Mentor Roberta Bass uses a s...
Is It Your Partner or Your Hormones? How Perimenopause Affects Relationships
Perimenopause can place enormous pressure on relationships, even those that have always felt strong. In this episode, Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Menopause Mentor Roberta Bass explores how fluctuating hormones influence mood, pati...
What No One Told You About Menopause: The Education We Never Got
Most women reach perimenopause without ever having been taught what menopause actually is, what symptoms to expect, or how to recognise the early signs. In this episode, Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Menopause Mentor Roberta Bass ex...
Mindset and Community — Why You Don’t Have to Do It All Alone
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Making Sense of Menopause, women’s health physiotherapist and wellness mentor Roberta Bass reflects on the importance of mindset and community in creating lasting change....
Morning Movement — How Small Steps Helped Me Manage Fatigue and Pain
In this honest and inspiring episode of Making Sense of Menopause, women’s health physiotherapist and wellness mentor Roberta Bass shares her personal experience of living with chronic fatigue and hypermobility — and how ...
Setting the Stage for Sleep — A Menopause Night-Time Routine
In this relatable and practical episode of Making Sense of Menopause, women’s health physiotherapist and menopause mentor Roberta Bass shares how to “set the stage” for a good night’s sleep — quite literally.Drawing on he...
One Step at a Time — Navigating Your Menopause Journey
In this empowering episode of Making Sense of Menopause, women’s health physiotherapist and menopause mentor Roberta Bass helps you make sense of the menopause journey — a unique and often unpredictable path that looks di...
Menopause, Bone Health and Balance – What You Need to Know
Bone health and balance often get overlooked until it’s too late. But with falling oestrogen levels in menopause, the risk of osteoporosis and fractures rises sharply.In this episode, I explain why bone health matters, the difference bet...
Breaking Autopilot Habits That Worsen Perimenopause
Do you ever find yourself running on autopilot — driving a route without thinking, or reaching for coffee when you’re tired? Habits that once worked for us can actually make menopause symptoms worse.In this episode, I explore how subcons...
Struggling to Find Words? Understanding Menopause Brain Fog
Forgetting words mid-sentence? Walking into a room and not remembering why? Brain fog is one of the most frustrating menopause symptoms — but there are reasons it happens and ways to improve it.In this episode, I explain the role of oest...
Perimenopause Symptoms – Why Early Action Matters
What do burst water mains have to do with perimenopause? More than you’d think! In this episode, I share why ignoring small signs — like poor sleep, brain fog, or hot flushes — can lead to bigger problems down the line. Acting early makes sympt...
Making Sense of Menopause – Why This Podcast Exists
Welcome to the Making SENSE of Menopause Podcast. In this first episode, I explain why I’ve chosen to focus entirely on menopause, my personal journey that led me here, and how the SENSSE® Method will guide the show. If you’re f...
Is HRT Safe? What Every Woman Needs to Know
Still unsure about HRT? You’re not alone. This episode of Making Sense of Women’s Health cuts through the confusion with an up-to-date, evidence-based look at Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Whether you’re considering HRT...
Desk Job Discomfort? Simple Ways to Stay Active and Feel Better at Work
Sitting all day? It could be why you're stiff, tired, or sore.In this episode of Making Sense of Women’s Health, I dive into realistic, evidence-backed strategies to help you stay active, reduce discomfort, and pro...
Plantar Fasciitis Explained: Managing Heel Pain and Staying Active
In this episode of Making Sense of Women’s Health, I break down everything you need to know about plantar fasciitis — a common and frustrating cause of heel pain that affects many women, especially during hormonal transitions like peri...