The midlife roller-coaster: thinking about the issues

Foundation psychologist Dr Mandy Deeks is often asked  about midlife issues. She says who you are, your life experiences and how you feel about your  life will all influence the way you experience  menopause. To start the ball rolling, here are some  questions to get you thinking.

Factors that may influence your experience of  menopause  and midlife

• your personality and roles
• previous mood problems
• roles
• attitude to ageing and menopause
• relationships with a partner, family and friends
• sexual function
• body image
• social and cultural expectations

Questions to think about

• How do you feel about ageing and menopause?
• How do you feel about your body, and the physical changes that are occurring now?• Have you been depressed or anxious before?
• Are there other stresses in your life?
• What roles do you have and do you perceive them  as important?
• If you are in a relationship, how do you feel about  it?
• Does your relationship impact on your experience  of menopause, or does menopause impact on your relationship?
• Could menopause or other factors be impacting on  your libido?
• How do you feel about your relationship with your family and/or children?
• Do you have friends you can turn to when you need support?
• Do you have social and cultural beliefs that influence how you see your experience of menopause?

Take action

Some of these influences may affect you, but menopause need not be a difficult time for you.

Think  about how these questions relate to you and  look out for more detailed answers in the next magazine.

Please see your health practitioner for information and guidance in any areas of your life that  you’re concerned about.

Take action, seek help and ensure you are in control.

Resources

For the full version of our new fact sheet on  emotional health at midlife and menopause please go to Emotional Wellbeing at Midlife and Menopause or call  the Foundation tollfree on 1800 151 441.

What’s new in education

2006 is shaping up to be one of our busiest  years yet in the education unit, as  we  venture into new approaches and initiatives to deliver women’s health education  across Australia.

For women

Community educators now available in  rural  Victoria

More than 30 health professionals were recently trained by Jean Hailes Foundation educators to deliver high-quality, accurate and relevant women’s health information sessions to community groups across rural and metropolitan areas in Victoria. This  program was funded by The Felton Bequest.Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Seven new websites to be uploaded soon

Our website has been updated and seven new portal websites are currently being developed. This demand has arisen from women seeking more health information on the internet. The education unit strongly supports informed decision making and self-responsibility when dealing with personal health issues. Watch out for these websites mid-2006.

Women’s health in the west

Thanks to the Besen Family Foundation, and in partnership with Women’s Health West, we held two successful, and colourful, women’s health sessions in Melbourne’s west, for women from local  Bosnian and North African communities.

Midlife health seminars in Victoria

In partnership with Melbourne Pathology and local community health services, we are offering midlife women’s health seminars in Mornington, Bendigo and Geelong.

Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Community seminar, Newcastle, NSW

A community seminar will be held in Newcastle in partnership with the Hunter Women’s Health &   Menopause Centre.

Date: September 6

Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

English and multicultural fact sheets

New sheets will become available in English and  other languages in the second half of 2006. Log  on to www.jeanhailes.org.au to view these new  resources.

For health professionals

Health professional update, Newcastle, NSW

A health professional update and lunch will be held in partnership with the Hunter Women’s Health & Menopause Centre.Date: September 6Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Global telehealth programs

These videoconferencing programs can be accessed by all health professionals Australia-wide. Following on from the success of our May event two more programs will be offered this year. On July 12 there will be a bio-psychological look at menopause and midlife. On October 11 we will cover polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bookings: www.telehealth.com.au

Victorian rural doctors women’s health update

This comprehensive one-day program is offered in  partnership with the Rural Workforce Agency of  Victoria.Date: July 29, 9am to 5pmVenue: Melbourne, VicI

nquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bookings: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Women’s health updates

These education sessions are offered in partnership with Melbourne Pathology and the relevant divisions of general practice.

Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Date: June 15, 7pm to 9.30pm
Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Geelong, Vic Date: August 24, 7.15am to 9am (Breakfast included)
Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Melbourne GP education forum

Topic: Medically induced menopause – a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and management

Date: June 6Venue: Lecture theatre (level 3) Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne

Speakers: A/Prof David Allen Dr David Thomas Dr Liz Farrell Dr Mandy Deeks

Resources

For details of other events log on to www.jeanhailes.org.au or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call tollfree on 1800 151 441.

This resource was developed with the support of the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.

Due to recent changes in Australian privacy laws your permission is required for The Jean Hailes Foundation to continue sending you information about our activities. You will continue to receive information unless you indicate otherwise. If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, or would like to make changes or additions to your contact details, please contact us on 03 9562 6771 (1800 151 441 tollfree).
The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended that The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health professional. The Jean Hailes Foundation does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of information or advice) which is provided in this magazine or incorporated into it by reference. Information is provided on the basis that all persons reading the magazine undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. 

Note: This article is an archive. Whilst the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health has made every effort to ensure this information was accurate at the time of publication, the article content has not been updated since the date listed below.

Content created May 18, 2006