Denise Asks Awkward Questions

Denise Scott, Australia’s favourite and fearless comedian, has joined forces with Jean Hailes to ask experts your awkward health questions. Nothing is off limits in these bite-sized life lessons.

This is a series of 15 episodes.

• Listen now on Apple Podcasts
• Listen now on Spotify

Episode 1: Vagina muffins

Guest: Louise Browne, Head of Public Health and Education at Jean Hailes

Battling menopausal symptoms? Learn what to do if your doctor ever tells you to ‘suck it up’ instead of providing solutions. Plus, how to improve your sex life after 60. Hint: the answer involves baking!

Episode 2: Menopause at the Logies

Guest: Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM, Medical Director of Jean Hailes

Denise heads back in time to the Logies to a story that will make you sweat. Also, Dr Farrell explains how menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can help some women with their menopausal symptoms.

Episode 3: Bearded ladies

Guest: Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM, Medical Director of Jean Hailes

Dr Farrell talks hormonal changes at menopause, growing hair in awkward places, and body shape at midlife – turning from a pear to apple-shaped.

Episode 4: Menopause and sleep

Guest: Dr Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation

Grab a pillow and tune in as Dr Junge and Denise discuss night sweats and snoring around menopause. Plus, how to tell your bedpartner she sounds like a tugboat (without causing a rift).

Episode 5: Appointment undies

Guest: Jess Davis, Practice Nurse at Jean Hailes

Does it matter what undies you wear to the doctor, and what’s the difference between a pap smear and cervical screening test?

Episode 6: Sex? I’d prefer Sudoku

Guest: Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM, Medical Director of Jean Hailes

Libido! Dr Farrell explains why it can fizzle out at midlife and what to do if low sex drive is bothering you. There’s also talk of contraception and why checks for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are a must at any age – yes, ANY age.

Episode 7: Sleep hygiene – Fact or fiction?

Guest: Dr Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation

Talking about the tricky concept of ‘sleep hygiene’ – what does it actually mean? Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with the cleanliness of your pillow.

Episode 8: Light bladder leakage

Guest: Louise Browne, Head of Public Health and Education at Jean Hailes

Is ‘light bladder leakage’ (LBL) the new term for incontinence? Plus, how to chat to your doctor about your privates without getting red-faced. The good news – doctors have heard it all before!

Episode 9: Full Pooh Bear

Guest: Jess Davis, Practice Nurse at Jean Hailes

Cervical screening ‘etiquette’ – what to wear and whether pre-appointment grooming is a must.

Episode 10: Wine before bed

Guest: Dr Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation

Can wine settle a sleepless night? And what are the best remedies for insomnia?

Episode 11: Itchy vulvas

Guest: Louise Browne, Head of Public Health and Education at Jean Hailes

Got an itch down there? Don’t scratch it, ask for an examination! Denise asks how to get your vulva examined without the awkwardness. Plus, how much period pain is too much?

Episode 12: Bad snoring

Guest: Dr Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation

What snoring can reveal about your health and hear Denise’s amazing version of counting sheep.

Episode 13: Don’t spray your ‘va-jay-jay’

Guest: Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM, Medical Director of Jean Hailes

Dr Farrell discusses midlife mood swings and why you shouldn’t spray perfume on your va-jay-jay. P.S. It’s called a vulva.

Episode 14: Should we all sleep like Kevin Rudd?

Guest: Dr Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation

Is co-sleeping with your kids a bad idea? Plus, do we really need eight hours of sleep every night?

Episode 15: Weight gain worries

Guest: Jess Davis, Practice Nurse at Jean Hailes

Put on ‘COVID kilos’? Denise asks if your doctor will slam the weight gain. And, if you have a fear of needles – take heart, you’re not alone.

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