'This is not a joke': Karl Stefanovic experiences hot flashes during live TV segment

Menopause is a condition that will impact almost all Australian women at some stage in their lives, but symptoms can vary in type and severity.

From hot flashes to night sweats to body aches and tenderness around the breasts, these symptoms are unpleasant, yet so often menopause is summed up as "just a natural part of life".

It is natural, but those physical responses to menopause impact women in so many other ways, at home and in their professional lives as well.

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Men are fortunate enough not to know what it's like to go through menopause or experience any of the associated symptoms that come with it.

But that doesn't mean they can't be allies and get a better understanding of what it's like to go through menopause.

October is World Menopause Month and Own Your Health Co's Lisa Saunders and Natalie Moore have developed a special vest that simulates a hot flash so the guys can really get a sense of what women go through.

"It's one of those things that will just come out of nowhere, you could be delivering a presentation at work and all of a sudden you'll just experience this hot flash and it doesn't really warn how it's going to come on, it just comes on," Lisa told Today.

"And so the flow on effect is feeling that sense of anxiety, that brain fog, loss of concentration, loss of confidence as well."

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Karl Stefanovic considers himself a big ally to the fairer sex, so he put his hand up to try the menopause vest on.

And the results were intense.

"It's really, really hot, especially around the mid area," the Today host said, sweating.

"That's so intense, people have a tendency to make jokes about it and it's just not a joke - this is not a joke."

Hear the full chat with Lisa and Natalie in the video above