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TAKE THE QUIZFront, L to R: Researcher Erin Morton, TV journalist Shelly Horton, Prof Jayashri Kulkarni and MP Peta Murphy with the team of menopause experts and advocates.
7th March 2023 was a landmark day in Parliament House: the #MenopauseMatters Parliamentary Round Table was the first time that menopause had been formally presented in those hallowed (predominantly male) halls. We had it all: flooding periods, tears, VAGINAS ()… and that was just the politicians’ speeches!
Our consortium of menopause experts gave (to quote several Ministerial attendees) “the best Round Table presentation I’ve ever attended”. The speakers were united in calling for development of a National Menopause Action Plan, to consolidate all the expert recommendations and formally incorporate them into Government policy.
We can’t rest on our laurels though; you can help keep the pressure on by asking your local MP to support the push for a National Menopause Action Plan… tell them loud and clear that MENOPAUSE MATTERS!
The following is from the written submission to the Round Table by WellFemme Founder Dr Kelly Teagle:
Menopause is not a disease. The menopausal transition is a life-stage experienced by half the population which lasts for decades, with physiological changes that significantly impact future health. Many people experience debilitating symptoms which can be managed with the right information and support.
In 2016 an Australian research group, including Prof Sue Davis, estimated that almost 400 000 Australian women were needlessly suffering with untreated flushes and sweats; and this is just one symptom of the many symptoms of the menopausal transition.
This is an excellent question which is also currently being examined by Minister Kearney’s National Women’s Health Advisory Council.
Women are desperate for information and support, as evidenced by the huge growth of online support groups, such as Menopause and Perimenopause Support Group on Facebook which has over 24 000 members.
The pandemic forced a rapid adaptation to Telehealth, which has now been well validated for medical service delivery over several years in Australia. The creation of new Medicare rebates specifically for reproductive and sexual health care in 2021 was pivotal in removing barriers related to privacy or locality. WellFemme, a solely Telehealth menopause clinic founded in 2019, has experienced a steady increase in demand for services and now helps thousands of women all over Australia.
To improve access for financially disadvantaged people:
To facilitate good menopause care in Primary Care settings:
To improve service access in rural and remote areas:
To improve access to information:
To reduce the burden of suffering and chronic disease everyone needs to know about the menopausal transition: how it might impact their functioning and relationships, what lifestyle changes to make, how to manage symptoms and where to get support.
Everyone has the right to this information and access to appropriate, affordable services and treatment.
[NOTE: In this document “women” refers to people born with functioning ovaries, who will therefore experience menopause]
If you can’t find the professional help you need for your menopause or perimenopausal symptoms then book a Telehealth consultation with an expert WellFemme menopause doctor.
WellFemme is Australia’s first dedicated Telehealth menopause clinic, servicing locations nationwide including: Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Hobart, Brisbane, Dubbo, Bendigo, Broken Hill, Broome, Alice Springs, Launceston, Cairns, Mildura, Lightning Ridge, Kalgoorlie, Albany, Toowoomba, Charleville, Port Headland, Katherine, Ballarat, Coober Pedy, Bourke, Albury… and your place!