Mamamia Well - Expert Advice on Women's Health and Wellness

Australian women, welcome to your full body health check.

Got a question about women's health or a personal story to share? Tell us here in the The Waiting Room.

Pelvic Health

Just diagnosed with endometriosis? Here's what you need to know.

Valentina Todoroska

'The dangerous endometriosis advice that almost cost me my life.'

At 30, Olivia went off the pill. What followed was '10 years of hell'.

'After 7 surgeries to 'manage' endometriosis, here's what I wish someone told me 19 years ago.'

9 things you didn’t know about your period (but probably should).

Everything you've ever known about your period is probably wrong.

Dr Rebecca Goadby

'I was told my pain was 'normal' for 20 years. Here's what finally helped me.'

'After a decade of period struggles, here's what nobody's talking about.'

We asked a pharmacist 5 pelvic health questions you're probably too shy to ask.

Naomi Cotterill

Australian women do not feel well. When we asked them their symptoms, here's what they said.

We got 3 men to experience period pain. Here's exactly how it went.

Cassandra Green

'PMDD is like PMS on steroids. It drove me to a dark place.'

'The worst pain imaginable.' Why women are recording their IUD insertions.

At age 11, Indi was in debilitating pain. A doctor told her the only way to fix it was to get pregnant.

Women are discovering bleeding on birth control isn't actually your period.

Penelope Clifton

The Pill and migraines: here's everything you need to know.

The best (and worst) time to exercise during your cycle.

From period pain to PCOS cramps: 12 women on all the ways they deal with it.

Everyone is talking about 'toxic' period underwear. Here's what you need to know.

Is 'period flu' a real thing? We asked an expert everything we need to know.

Mind

Angie Kent posted about her extreme burnout. We felt that in our chest.

Cassandra Green

15 years ago, Mel Robbins hit rock bottom. She's now the most listened to woman in the world.

At the height of her success, Emma Gannon had a breakdown. Only a 'year of nothing' fixed it.

There are 7 types of cryers. Which one are you?

Cassandra Green

10 women share the advice they wish they'd gotten before 30.

Feeling anxious? Here's what a psychologist suggests you can do in just 5 minutes.

The subtle signs of high-functioning depression we often miss, according to a psychologist.

'I was diagnosed with ADHD at 30. Here's what no one tells you about the grief.'

The difference between burnout and stress (and how to solve it).

Dr Rebecca Goadby

You're not imagining it, burnout culture is more prevalent than ever.

Hannah Vanderheide

Feel like everything is a disaster? You need to try the 'lemonading' hack.

Cassandra Green

Your body knows you have burnout. Here's how to spot it.

Cassandra Green

'I roasted my husband in my wedding speech. 12 years later, it's not quite so funny.'

'I was diagnosed with ADHD and left my husband at the same time. Here’s what dating has been like.'

'My partner has ADHD. Here are 5 things we've had to do differently since his diagnosis.'

Anisha Premawardhana

Sally Hepworth's behaviour became a running joke among friends. Then she was diagnosed with ADHD.

'I'm the mum of an 11-year-old child with ADHD and I hate the diagnosis.'

'I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Here's why the new ADHD guidelines are so important.'

'I'm not hyperactive.' 3 women on what life is really like as an adult with ADHD.

‘There’s a loneliness that comes from knowing you’re too much.’ What happened when I was diagnosed with ADHD at 49.

Body

9 micro-habits that are proven to make you live longer.

The mid-year slump is real. Here's 7 ways to refresh your routine.

Valentina Todoroska

'6 things that happened to me on weight loss medication.'

'I've been taking weight loss medication for 2 months. I didn't expect the comments.'

Move over protein, glucose spiking is the latest wellness obsession.

'I spent years finding a GP that would listen. Then, one asked me a question that brought me to tears.'

There’s more to weight gain than diet. The 3 things your doctor should ask you.

Dr Rebecca Goadby

'I asked women in their 40s what they'd tell their younger selves. Their answers might surprise you.'

Do this today to live longer.

Inside the growing trend of Ozempic 'microdosing'.

'I'm an A-list trainer, and there's one thing nobody is saying about weight-loss drugs.'

Samantha Jackson

This is what happens when you stop taking Ozempic.

'I was told to take Ozempic to help me fall pregnant. Here's what I want other women to know.'

'After years taking Ozempic, here's what people aren't saying.'

How weight loss injections ate awards season.

Health Checks

'My doctor dismissed me and told me to take painkillers. If I'd listened, I would've died.'

SHAYNA JACK: 'It was supposed to be an ordinary Sunday night. Then my dad sat us down.'

Erin McNaught's 9-month-old baby had brain surgery this week. She's just shared an update.

Raffaella Ciccarelli

'My daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 2. Here's what I wish someone had told me.'

Sarah became lactose intolerant at 22. She knew it was a deadly sign.

Raffaella Ciccarelli

'I thought I was just a tired young mum. When I took a shower, my world turned upside down.'

Raffaella Ciccarelli

'At 59, my mum was diagnosed with brain cancer. This is the reality no one shares.'

Before she died, 27-year-old Holly Butcher wrote a letter we all need to read.

When Caitlin's daughter got sore legs on their holiday, she could've never imagined the true cause.

Richard Scolyer saved thousands of lives. Then he found himself convulsing on the floor.

'I have brain cancer in a post-Belle Gibson world. Here's what I want you to know.'

Days before their honeymoon, Taylor was told his new wife was going to die. So, he didn't tell her.

Cassandra Green

Ollie was on a camping trip when his mum noticed something wasn't right.

'Our newborn’s lazy eye seemed harmless. Then a 10-minute appointment broke our hearts.'

'18 months after my mum died, my wife started having strange symptoms.'

Honey Hireme-Smiler

The one detail in Kate Middleton's remission announcement that has people floored.

'I moved to Australia alone at 19. 4 years later, I made a devastating call to my mum.'

'Doctors ignored my concerns for months. What they found shocked them.'

‘At 33, I thought I had sciatic pain. The truth was devastating.’

'I thought I had a UTI. The true cause could have killed me.'

Peri

11 women share what surprised them most during menopause.

ASK HOLLY: Can I ask my friend to shut up about menopause?

Holly Wainwright

'I wasn't me': 10 women share what perimenopause is really like.

PERIMENOPAUSE: How it started, how it’s going.

'I'm a dietitian. Here are 5 things I always recommend to women over 50.'

'I was called Monster Mum.' I've had reproductive depression 3 times. Here's what it's like.

'I'm 43 and a doctor diagnosed me as being in 'early menopause'. He was wrong.'

'Can I get a test for peri?' 6 questions you have about menopause, answered by a meno-doctor.

Why have I put on weight around my middle in my 40s? An expert explains.

Perimenopause will change the strength of your pelvic floor. Here's how to manage it.

Turns out you can train your bladder for menopause. Here's exactly how to do it.

DR PERI: Should I stop taking contraception during peri? Does HRT double as a contraceptive?

DOCTOR PERI: 'Where the hell is my sex drive, and will it ever come back?'

DOCTOR PERI: Will I become a rollercoaster of emotions during Peri because my Mum did?

DOCTOR PERI: What can I do to minimise brain fog and forgetfulness?

DOCTOR PERI: ''My nutrition and exercise has stayed the same, but my weight keeps going up."

TED TALK: What really happens to your body during menopause.

PODCAST: Menopause: Misunderstood, Mysterious & Magnificent.

PODCAST: (Peri)Menopausal Symptoms Start Decades Before You Think.

TED TALK: The link between menopause and gender inequity at work.

Sleep

'I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve been taping my mouth shut. These are 4 ways it’s helped me.'

'I've found 8 great mattresses on sale right now if you're too lazy to try them in-store.'

'I'm a sleep expert. Here are 6 things you can do for the best sleep of your life.'

Olivia Arezzolo

'Your adult bedtime tells me everything I need to know about you.'

It turns out how you dream depends on 2 things.

Sleep tourism is booming. But would you really pay for a good night's sleep?

When sleep isn’t enough: The 7 types of rest.

13 women tell us their secrets to a sleeping baby.

We've always been told we need 8 hours sleep. For women, that's not right.

DEAR DOCTOR: 'The only way I can keep a full-time job is to give my kids sleep gummies.'

Dr Rebecca Goadby

Meet the people getting paid $50k a month to film themselves sleeping.

Do you sleep naked? 5 great reasons to get your kit off at bedtime.

You're not imagining it: Women do need more sleep than men. Here's why.

What is a 'reverse sleep in' and why you probably need one.

'I'm a sleep expert. Here are the 4 ways I teach people to sleep better.'

'I've started getting up over an hour before my 3 kids. It's absolutely saved my sanity.'

Naomi Cotterill

'I asked a sleep expert what was wrong with my bedroom. They instantly told me 5 major things.'

Shannen Findlay

'I'm a new mum. Here's what no one told me about the sleepless nights.'

The boy who didn't sleep for 11 days, and how it came back to haunt him.

"I used to only sleep for 4 hours a night. These 5 things bumped me up to a solid 8-hour snooze."

Shannen Findlay

Skin

'My skin has never been softer after using this $4 product.'

'I get messages about my skincare routine all the time. So, here’s exactly what I use.'

The telltale sign your skin problems are actually coming from your gut, according to an expert.

'I test beauty products for a living. These are the 30 best deals I'm shopping in the Amazon Prime Day sales.'

'I've never skipped a day of using eye cream in 15 years. Here are the ones I swear by.'

'This $22 retinal serum is better than the more expensive one that wrecked my skin.'

‘The $16 exfoliator that didn’t irritate my sensitive skin.'

Women are putting beef fat on their face as skincare. But does it actually work?

Shannen Findlay

‘I tried the $30 serum that rivals a $500 facial.’

'I found a $26 exfoliating cleanser I love more than my $112 one.'

'I used to be obsessed with this $77 viral concealer — and then I found a $7 dupe.'

'I'm a beauty writer in my 50s. This $20 product is my non-negotiable for great skin.'

The 17 beauty products worth adding to your cart this month.

‘I visited Seoul and every skincare girlie was using this $35 product.’

'I use pimple patches nearly every day. Here's how Go To's stack up against my favourites.'

This 22-year-old shared her skincare method online. People were horrified.

'I swear by this $1 hack to protect my skin.'

'I tried this $28 product that Victoria Beckham uses, and I have thoughts.'

Anisha Premawardhana

'The $20 tinted moisturiser that has replaced my everyday foundation.'

You might want 'mirror skin', but there's a cost.

Fertility

Is your body at its most fertile right now? Here's a simple guide to tracking your cycle.

'I felt an intense pain in the shower. When I looked down, I saw my baby's head.'

The big business of infertility.

The checklist you actually need before trying for a baby.

"I've always been anxious about my fertility. Then I heard about a test that can help predict it."

"When are you going to have a baby?" The question that eventually, quietly broke me.

Jennifer Robertson

'I had to manage other people's feelings': We need to talk about the unseen emotional tax of IVF.

From consultation to treatment: A complete no-BS breakdown of the costs of IVF.

"It still hurts." The unique grief of losing an embryo after IVF.

"We've been trying for 7 years." 3 women open up about struggling with secondary infertility.

Everything you want to know about the process of IVF, answered by a fertility specialist.

"It’s not your fault, but I hated you." When it feels like everyone's pregnant, except you.

Separating fact from fiction about having a baby in your 40s.

'Can you take it too many times?' The 7 things you didn't know about the morning after pill.

"We couldn’t be more in love." Jennifer Hawkins has given birth to her first child.

Bronte Chaperon

'I've never wanted kids. Then at 21, I was told I may not ever be able to have any.'

A man named Stefan just offered some simple fertility advice and... Sir, no.

‘I asked an expert my 6 most pressing questions about freezing my eggs. Here’s what she said.’

"It changed everything": Kylie Minogue on how cancer affected her plans to become a mum.

'This is exactly what it feels like to have your eggs frozen at 24.'

Natalie Fornasier

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Peri And Beyond

Before The Bump