Strong Bones in Perimenopause and Beyond. A live online workshop with Dr Taisia Cech and Lisa Bates

One in three women over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis.

That figure comes from the International Osteoporosis Foundation, and in New Zealand it adds up to around 22,300 fragility fractures a year in people aged 50 and over. Yet almost none of us were taught what is happening to our bones, or when.

Bone loss is one of the quietest changes of perimenopause. There are no symptoms. Oestrogen has been protecting your skeleton for decades, and as it falls, the cells that break down bone start to outpace the cells that build it. The first years around menopause are the window where that matters most. Most women find out years later, after a fracture, or when a scan comes back with a number they were never taught to read.

That's what this workshop is for. One evening, two of us, and a plain explanation of what's happening and what you can do about it.

Lisa Bates, Medical Imaging Technologist and founder of Form Imaging, has been scanning bones for years and has a special interest in osteoporosis prevention. She'll walk you through what a DEXA scan is, what it feels like, who should have one and when, and what your results actually mean. So the next time a report lands in front of you, you'll understand it.

I'm Dr Taisia Cech, a GP and women's health doctor. I'll cover the medical side: when treatment is usually recommended, what the main options are (bisphosphonates, denosumab, the newer bone-building medicines, and where HRT fits), what the evidence says about each, and how to think through the decision with your own doctor. Then the part you can act on straight away: what to start doing this week to support your bones, whichever path you choose.

In this live workshop you'll learn:

- What happens to your bones through perimenopause and after, and why this window matters
- What a DEXA scan is, who should have one

- The medical treatments for low bone density, explained plainly, with the evidence behind them
- Where HRT fits in protecting bone
- What you can start doing this week: the food, movement and everyday habits that support your bones

Then live Q&A with both of us. Bring your questions

This workshop is for you if:

- You're in perimenopause or past menopause and want to understand what's happening to your bones
- You've been told you have osteopenia or osteoporosis and want to understand your options before you decide anything
- You have a family history of osteoporosis or fractures
- You've been offered a DEXA scan, or wonder whether you should ask for one
- You want to look after your bones early, while it makes the most difference

Two ways to be there

A ticket is $29 and gets you into the live session.

Or join The Morning Room, my perimenopause membership, for $21 a month, and get this workshop free. Every monthly live talk is free once you join, with the replay to come back to, along with my Understanding Perimenopause course, the Recipe Vault, the yoga and meditation library, the patient handouts I use in clinic, and a private community. You can see both options side by side on my website, thehealthstyledoctor.com/strong-bones.

If you come through The Morning Room, you also get the replay. Every workshop is saved in the members' workshop library, so you can rewatch it whenever you need it.

About your speakers

Lisa Bates is a Medical Imaging Technologist with over 30 years of experience and the founder of Form Imaging, which she established nearly nine years ago. Lisa has a special interest in bone health and osteoporosis prevention, and works closely with patients to improve awareness of the importance of bone density testing. Bone health is often overlooked, yet healthy bones are essential for maintaining independence, mobility, and quality of life as we age. Through DEXA scanning, education, and early detection, Lisa is committed to helping people take proactive steps to protect their bone health and reduce their future fracture risk.

Dr Taisia Cech is a New Zealand GP and women's health doctor with a perimenopause clinic in Wānaka. She holds a dual fellowship in General Practice and Lifestyle Medicine, and is a member of the Australasian and International Menopause Societies.

Details

Thursday 29 October 2026, 7:15pm to 8:45pm New Zealand time. Live on Zoom. Your joining link comes with your ticket, and again by email on the day.

This workshop is general education, not personalised medical advice. Please talk with your own doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.

Feel heard. Feel in control. Feel like yourself again.