All About You With Dr Shauna Watts

Menopause is often discussed in terms of hot flushes, sleep disruption, and mood changes. But hormonal shifts affect far more than we realise. And one area that is rarely talked about is oral health.

Many women entering perimenopause or menopause begin noticing symptoms that seem unrelated at first: a dry mouth that doesn’t improve with water, increased tooth sensitivity, jaw clenching, headaches, or even a burning sensation on the tongue.

In this episode of All About You, Dr Shauna Watts speaks with expert dentist Dr Martina Lavery, who specialises in the connection between oral health and whole-body health.

Together they unpack how hormonal changes influence the mouth, jaw, teeth and facial structure during midlife.

Dr Martina also shares practical strategies to help manage common issues including jaw tension, mouth dryness, and dental crowding that can develop later in life.

If you’ve ever woken up with a tight jaw, experienced unexplained mouth discomfort, or noticed changes in your smile during midlife, this episode will help connect the dots between hormones, oral health, and overall wellbeing.

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

Leave a Voice Note
Have a question about perimenopause, brain fog, anxiety, or midlife confidence? Leave a 45-second voice note via our website below. Your question may be featured in a future episode.
🔗https://www.allaboutyoupod.com

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 

01:08 Why So Many People Fear the Dentist
03:31 - How Hormones Change Oral Health in Menopause
05:10 - Why Dry Mouth Happens in Midlife
07:11 - Why Saliva Protects Your Teeth
11:03 - The Oral Microbiome and Menopause
13:20 - Burning Tongue Syndrome Explained
15:26 - Jaw Clenching, Teeth Grinding and Headaches
20:05 - How to Relax Your Jaw and Reduce Clenching
32:20 - How Teeth Influence Facial Aging
40:12 - Dangerous Dental Trends on Social Media

Keywords
menopause oral health
perimenopause dry mouth
menopause jaw pain
burning mouth syndrome menopause
teeth grinding menopause
bruxism menopause
hormonal changes oral health
menopause dental symptoms
TMJ menopause
menopause facial changes
menopause dry mouth treatment
estrogen oral health
why does menopause cause dry mouth
menopause teeth grinding and jaw pain
burning tongue during menopause
how hormones affect oral health
facial changes during menopause

Have you ever wanted to talk to your teen about alcohol or drugs but didn’t know where to start?

In this episode with Paul Dillon, one of Australia’s leading experts in youth drug and alcohol education, to unpack what actually works when it comes to keeping teenagers safe.

This isn’t a fear-based conversation. It’s a practical, evidence-informed discussion about how to build influence, maintain connection, and respond calmly when things don’t go to plan.

You’ll learn:
• Why ongoing conversations work better than one intense “sit-down talk”
• How to ask about peer behavior without interrogating your teen
• Why early conversations about medication build respect for substances
• How to create a safe exit strategy your teen can use at parties
• What to do if your teen calls you intoxicated
• The difference between consequences and punishment
• How to respond calmly if you find drugs in your child’s room
• The three core protective factors every parent should prioritize

Paul also explains how communication naturally shifts during adolescence from messaging to consulting and why maintaining connection during Years 9 and 10 can significantly influence long-term outcomes.

We also cover:
• Setting clear boundaries around alcohol in your home
• The growing risks of pharmaceutical misuse, including Xanax and Valium
• How to respond without panic when something goes wrong

This episode isn’t about raising perfect teenagers, it’s about raising connected, informed, and resilient ones.

Because when it comes to protecting teens, connection, clarity, and consistency are far more powerful than fear, lectures, or avoidance.

If you’re navigating the teenage years or they’re coming soon, this conversation will give you practical tools and reassurance that you’re not alone.If you’re navigating the teenage years or they’re coming soon, this conversation will give you practical tools and reassurance that you’re not alone.

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

Leave a Voice Note Have a question about perimenopause, brain fog, anxiety, or midlife confidence? Leave a 45-second voice note via our website below. Your question may be featured in a future episode. 🔗https://www.allaboutyoupod.com

Follow and learn more from Paul Dillon here:
https://www.instagram.com/dillonpauldarta/?hl=en https://bookedout.com.au/speaker/paul-dillon-darta

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 – How to Talk to Your Teen About Alcohol & Drugs
01:17 – When Should You Start Talking to Your Child About Drugs?
05:39 – Teen Xanax Use & Prescription Drug Misuse Explained
08:19 – Why the “Big Talk” About Drugs Doesn’t Work
12:32 – “You Drink, So Why Can’t I?” How to Respond
16:03 – Should Parents Be Present for Their Teen’s First Drink?
17:21 – Does Supplying Alcohol Reduce Harm? What the Research Says
21:01 – Creating a Safe Exit Strategy From Teen Parties
25:15 – Consequences vs Punishment: What Actually Works With Teens
30:02 – What to Do If You Find Drugs in Your Teen’s Room

Keywords
how to talk to teens about drugs
how to talk to teens about alcohol
teen drinking advice
parenting teens alcohol
teen drug prevention
what to do if you find drugs in your child’s room
should parents give teens alcohol
teen vaping and pharmaceutical misuse
setting boundaries with teenagers
consequences vs punishment parenting
how to keep teens safe at parties
teen alcohol exit strategy

What if the strain in your relationship right now isn’t because you feel incompatibility?

For many couples, midlife relationship strain doesn’t begin with one major conflict. It appears gradually; less patience, more misunderstandings, disrupted sleep, reduced intimacy, and a growing sense of distance.

In this episode, Dr. Shauna Watts speaks with Senior Clinical Psychologist and Certified Gottman Therapist, Natalie King, about how perimenopause affects not only a woman’s body, but the dynamic of her relationship.

Perimenopause is often discussed as a women’s health issue but it is also a relational transition.

Hormonal changes can influence mood, anxiety levels, sleep quality, energy, and emotional regulation. When these shifts are not recognised, couples can begin to attach meaning to them, questioning compatibility, commitment, or the future of the relationship.

Together, they explore:
• Why relationship strain in midlife is often about reduced capacity rather than incompatibility
• How anxiety, exhaustion, and sleep disruption affect communication
• The role of resentment and why unresolved conflict builds over time
• The Gottman Method and the communication patterns that place relationships at risk
• Why repair conversations matter more than getting it right every time
• How curiosity and small daily check-ins can prevent disconnection
• The importance of maintaining friendship during major life transitions

Not every relationship will continue, and not every relationship should. But many couples can navigate this season more effectively when they understand what is changing and approach it as a shared experience rather than a personal failing.

If your relationship feels harder than it used to, this episode offers perspective, clarity, and practical direction.

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

Leave a Voice Note
Have a question about perimenopause, brain fog, anxiety, or midlife confidence? Leave a 45-second voice note via our website below. Your question may be featured in a future episode.
🔗https://www.allaboutyoupod.com

Follow and learn more from Natalie King here:
https://thereadclinic.com/practitioners/natalie-king/

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

—------------------------

Chapters 

01:10 — Perimenopause Is a Relationship Transition
04:44 — The Three Patterns Couples Fall Into
06:15 — Anxiety, Mood Shifts and Misinterpreted Meaning
09:01 — Why Couples Stop Giving Each Other Grace
11:31 — The Estrogen Veil and Role Realignment
16:20 — Rejection, Desire and Male Sensitivity
18:05 — Keeping Your Partner Informed
21:12 — Reactive Communication and the Power of Repair
24:10 — Strengthening the Friendship in Your Relationship
31:10 — The Gottman Method Explained
33:15 — The Four Horsemen of Relationship Breakdown
39:13 — Resentment and Repairing the Past
46:34 — From “What’s Wrong With Us?” to “What’s Happening to Us?”

Keywords
perimenopause and relationships
menopause and marriage
midlife relationship problems
perimenopause anxiety and mood
how hormones affect relationships
why do couples struggle in midlife
perimenopause emotional changes
feeling disconnected from partner midlife
Gottman method four horsemen
resentment in marriage midlife
perimenopause communication problems
divorce during menopause

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.

What if aging isn’t random, but predictable, measurable, and modifiable?

Longevity medicine isn’t about living forever. It’s about protecting your strength, cognition, metabolic health, and independence, especially in midlife.

In this episode with Catherine Johnson MD, Longevity & Precision Health Expert, we unpack what longevity medicine actually means for women over 40 and why the real drivers of aging aren’t what most people think.

This conversation is about understanding how metabolic health, hormones, muscle mass, sleep, and stress quietly shape your health span, the years you live well, not just long.

You’ll learn:
The difference between lifespan and health span

Why midlife is a critical window for prevention

How insulin resistance and cortisol influence weight gain and fatigue

Why muscle is an organ of longevity, not just something aesthetic

How stress shortens telomeres and accelerates aging

Why “normal lab results” don’t always mean optimal health

What actually moves the needle for long-term vitality

Many women in their 40s and 50s say, “I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”They’re not dramatically unwell.

They’re not in crisis. But something feels off.
This conversation explains why.

If you care about staying strong, sharp, and capable after 40, this episode will change how you think about aging.

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

Leave a Voice Note
Have a question about perimenopause, brain fog, anxiety, or midlife confidence? Leave a 45-second voice note via our website below. Your question may be featured in a future episode.
🔗https://www.allaboutyoupod.com

Follow and learn more from Catherine Johnson Here:
https://www.instagram.com/catherinejohnsonmd/
https://myprecisionmedicalcare.com

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

—------------------------
00:41 - What Longevity Medicine Actually Means
02:41 - Healthspan vs Lifespan Explained
05:28 - Why Midlife Is a Critical Turning Point
09:20 - “I Just Don’t Feel Like Myself”
13:36 - The Hormone Shifts Driving Subtle Changes
16:56 - What Lab Trends Really Reveal in Midlife
20:18 - What Metabolic Health Actually Means
24:28 - The Cortisol–Insulin Weight Gain Cycle
31:18 - Trends vs What Actually Moves the Needle
33:58 - Stress, Telomeres & Accelerated Aging
36:35 - Why Sleep Is Foundational
39:14 - Muscle: The Organ of Longevity
43:34 - BMI vs Body Composition
45:05 - Is It Too Late After 60?
48:17 - Aging With Agency, Not Fear
—------------------------
longevity medicine for women
midlife health
health span vs lifespan
metabolic health women
perimenopause metabolic changes why women gain weight in midlife
cortisol and weight gain women
muscle and longevity
insulin resistance in perimenopause
aging and metabolic health
how to improve health span
menopause and metabolic syndrome
sarcopenia women

Can’t sleep through the night? In midlife, wake-ups, restless nights, and feeling unrefreshed are often misunderstood but they’re not your fault. 

In this episode, we explore the real reasons sleep changes during perimenopause and menopause, and how to work with your body instead of against it.
We bring together key conversations on sleep, hormones, alcohol, and the female brain. 

If you fall asleep but wake at 3 a.m., feel wired yet exhausted, or struggle to feel rested no matter how long you sleep, this episode explains why: without fear, shame, or oversimplified “fixes.”
You’ll hear why there’s no single “perfect” amount of sleep, how hormonal shifts reshape your sleep cycles, and why even one drink of alcohol can quietly sabotage restorative rest. 

We also dive into something rarely discussed: sleep isn’t passive. While your body rests, your brain is actively processing emotion, filing memories, and softening the edges of daily stress. When sleep is disrupted, that work doesn’t happen— nd it shows up as irritability, anxiety, low mood, or burnout.

Topics covered include:
- Why sleep changes during perimenopause and menopause
- How REM sleep supports emotional and mental health
- The impact of estrogen and progesterone on sleep quality
- Why more sleep isn’t always better and less sleep isn’t always the problem
- Evidence-based, practical strategies to improve sleep without pressure or perfection

If sleep has started to feel fragile, frustrating, or out of reach, this episode will help you reframe it, calm your nervous system, and stop blaming yourself.

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

Leave a Voice Note
Have a question about perimenopause, brain fog, anxiety, or midlife confidence? Leave a 45-second voice note via our website below. Your question may be featured in a future episode.
🔗https://www.allaboutyoupod.com

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

00:00 – Why sleep feels harder lately
01:19 – How much sleep do we actually need?
02:47 – What happens when you oversleep or undersleep
05:14 – The real health risks of chronic poor sleep
07:15 – Why alcohol sabotages your sleep
09:32 – Alcohol, REM sleep, and emotional regulation
10:57 – Hormones, fatigue, and the hidden cost of nightly drinking
12:42 – Sponsor: Rediscover You Program
13:27 – Sleep as emotional repair, not just rest
15:24 – Why REM sleep matters so much
17:01 – Practical sleep habits that actually help
18:37 – How to quiet a racing mind at night
20:13 – Phones, clocks, and sleep anxiety
22:26 – Hormones and sleep quality in midlife
25:26 – The ideal sleep environment
27:08 – You can’t ‘bank’ sleep
29:06 – Circadian rhythm and morning light
31:26 – Why you may still feel tired after sleeping better
32:58 – Screens: is it the light or the engagement?
34:56 – The most important thing to know about sleep

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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women and sleep
REM Sleep
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alcohol and sleep quality women
REM sleep emotional processing
hormones and sleep architecture
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estrogen progesterone sleep
why I’m tired after sleeping 8 hours