E68 - Lipoedema: Awareness, Diagnosis & Self-Compassion - The Hidden World of Women

The Hidden World of Women

In this episode, Emma is joined by Fiona MacPherson to talk about her experiences with Lipoedema. This is a common connective tissue disorder that causes an abnormal buildup of fat that cannot be removed without surgery. Despite affecting 11% of women, Lipoedema remains underdiagnosed, often mistaken for obesity, and is not recognised by Medicare in Australia—leaving many women struggling to access affordable treatment. Many people live undiagnosed for years due to the lack of conversation and awareness about this condition.

Fiona was kind enough to share her personal journey with us, from living with Lipoedema unknowingly for years to finally receiving a diagnosis in 2022. She talks about the relief of understanding her condition, the emotional process of forgiving herself, and the importance of raising awareness so that more women can access the diagnosis and care they need.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

What Lipoedema is, how it progresses, and its connection to hormonal changes.

Fiona’s experience navigating the healthcare system and the emotional impact of diagnosis.

The financial reality of treatment, from preventative care to surgery costs.

The urgent need for greater awareness, funding, and recognition of Lipoedema in Australia

Why self-compassion is key, and how to move forward without shame or stigma.

Our goal with this episode is to shed light onto a condition that is rarely talked about and misunderstood. We always aim to provide a space for women to tell their stories without shame or fear of judgement. Through this episode we hope more people can identify a potential cause of their struggle with their body and begin working towards self-acceptance. If you’ve struggled with similar symptoms, you’re not alone and there are ways to manage lipoedema.

If you’d like to learn more visit Lipoedema Australia Foundation: www.lipoedema.org.au

If this feels relevant to people in your life, please share it with those around you. Awareness changes lives.

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