A Senate Inquiry and a world congress: Why menopause is so hot right now

Let’s start with the ground-breaking Senate Inquiry into menopause, perimenopause and related issues, which handed down its findings last month. What does this mean for women across Australia?

What recommendations have come out of the Inquiry?

Dr White: The recommendations mostly fall into five categories:

1. More research, particularly on the experiences of women from diverse backgrounds. This includes multicultural, First Nations and LGBTIQA+ communities, and women with a disability
2. More education for women to feel informed and prepared, and for healthcare professionals to provide the right advice and support
3. Better access to healthcare professionals trained to provide menopause care
4. Improved access to proven medicines, both in terms of cost and availability
5. Increased workplace flexibility.

Many of the recommendations have the potential to significantly improve the health and wellbeing of women in Australia.

The other big news is that the 19th World Menopause Congress is coming to Australia this month. Why is this a big deal for women?

Dr White: This congress is the biggest global event dedicated to menopause research and this year it’s being held in Melbourne. The world’s leading researchers and clinicians will come together over 3 days to present and discuss the very latest in menopause research. What comes out of the congress will ultimately shape the care that’s provided to women around the world.

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is playing a special role at the congress this year, right?

Dr White: Yes. The International Menopause Society (IMS) has invited Jean Hailes to be a community education partner for the event, which is absolutely wonderful. We’ve had many interactions with the IMS over the decades and they know our work well. (One of our founders, Professor Susan Davis, is an IMS past President in fact.) It’s a great honour and privilege to be asked to be a community partner of the IMS.

So, we're using our clout to give women in Australia access to world-leading experts. Women from across the country have sent us their questions and we’re putting them to the experts attending the congress. The questions and answers will be recorded and then released on our social media. You can follow us to stay in the loop.

What do you want women to get out of World Menopause Month?

Dr White: The facts! There is so much information out there and it can be hard to work out whether a source is credible and trustworthy. Jean Hailes has been providing menopause information and education for decades. Our first public awareness campaign about menopause was a national roadshow in 1996, would you believe! And it led to the Federal Government funding Jean Hailes to provide women’s health information that was – and still is – desperately needed.