Held on 24 February 2025 at the State Library of NSW, this first-of-its-kind event tackled the multifaceted challenges of menopause and set new benchmarks for menopause care in clinical and aesthetic practices.
The Thriving Through Menopause Symposium 2025, spearheaded by aesthetics educator Chiza Westcarr, delivered an enlightening day of education, discussion and collaboration, drawing leading minds from aesthetics, dermatology and women’s health.The full-day event sparked vital conversations and provided practitioners with actionable strategies to integrate menopause care into aesthetic medicine.
The Symposium featured a stellar lineup of speakers, including: Dr Rodney Baber AM, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The University of Sydney and past president of the Australasian Menopause Society and International Menopause Society; Caroline Gurvich, clinical neuropsychologist, Associate Professor at Monash University and Deputy Director of HER Centre Australia; Dr Nneka Nwokolo, Honorary Consultant Physician in Sexual Health and HIV Medicine at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London; Michelle Bridges, Creator of the Menopause Method Program and internationally renowned fitness expert; Dr Shauna Watts, owner of award- winning cosmetic and menopause clinics; Dr David Kosenko, President of the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia; Tracey Dennison NP, Aesthetic & Wellness Consultant Nurse Practitioner and British Menopause Society Accredited Specialist; and communications and behaviour expert Grazina Fechner, who delivered the welcoming address.
Key topics included:
- Cognitive and emotional changes and strategies to support mental health and resilience in menopause (Caroline Gurvich)
- Cultural considerations in aesthetics (Dr Nneka Nwokolo)
- Menopausal skin changes and treatment approaches (Dr David Kosenko)
- Intimate wellness and pelvic health, including innovative solutions such
as electromagnetic stimulation, exosomes and laser therapies (Agnes Dube RN, Dr Aman Bhinder, Dr Mirjana Janjic and Nawal Church). - Weight management in menopause, and the role of exercise, nutrition and medical interventions such as GLP-1 agonists (Michelle Bridges (keynote), Cherry Wills PhD, Dr Anoop Rastogi).
- Menopause in aesthetics – collaborative approaches to care, HRT insights and integrating menopause support into practice (Dr Shauna Watts, Dr Martina Lavery, Kelly Jackson RN, Tracey Dennison NP, Dr David Kosenko).
The event challenged traditional perceptions of menopause and advocated for a more holistic, patient- centred approach. It reinforced the importance of continued education and collaboration – and empowered attendees to deliver more comprehensive and compassionate care for women navigating this transformative life stage.
