Asking the right questions and getting the right answers can help women navigate menopause and the years surrounding it. But where do you start? Who better to ask than the experts…
Menopause can be a time of transformation – and frustration. As a clinician in women’s health at Jean Hailes, GP Fiona Jane has seen countless women in their midlife recall feeling “unheard”, “untreated” or “partially treated” when trying to seek menopausal health care.
The reality is that when it comes to menopause there are big knowledge gaps among health professionals and the general public, says Dr Elizabeth Farrell, gynaecologist and Medical Director of Jean Hailes.
So what should you do? Here both doctors share some of the questions that women should be asking their GP about menopause, plus the answers and reasoning behind them.
Dr Jane (pictured above left): Seeking advice about menopause is one thing, but getting good, evidence-based, current information and management are another. Try to find a GP who takes an active interest in women’s health, is across the latest research and has time to talk. If your doctor is not confident in this area, ask for a referral to one who is.
Dr Farrell (pictured above right): The lead-up to a woman’s final menstrual period is called perimenopause and it affects every woman differently. Usually, it starts in your mid-40s and lasts four to six years on average. There is no test for perimenopause but if you're experiencing irregular periods and other menopausal symptoms, you might be going through it.
Dr Jane: Every woman has a different experience of menopause and I have always found that addressing her key concerns is the most important part of the consultation. There are different treatments for different symptoms and your personal and family medical history will form part of the discussion.
Dr Farrell: Twenty years ago, the publication of a study led many women to avoid MHT over fears it caused breast cancer. We’ve come a long way since then. Considering MHT involves weighing up its risks and benefits.
If you have symptoms that are bothersome, heart health issues or a family history of osteoporosis, this is a conversation worth having. That’s because MHT has been shown to lower the risk of osteoporosis, bone fracture and heart disease, in addition to providing relief from menopausal symptoms.
Dr Farrell: Yes, if menopause is causing them. Hot flushes can have other causes – think anxiety, uncontrolled high blood pressure, some medications. Prescribing MHT involves doing a full assessment.
Dr Farrell: There is no set figure. Treatment duration depends on the duration of bothersome symptoms. (Menopausal symptoms last on average about eight years.) Dosages and even the prescribed product may change over time. What’s important is that we assess the woman and weigh up the risks and benefits regularly.
Dr Farrell: Many women are too embarrassed to ask this question, but if you’re suffering, try to seek help because there are treatments. Lubricants, vaginal moisturiser and vaginal oestrogens can help, as can regular intercourse.
Dr Jane: Research shows that while most women recognise the immediate consequences of menopause, they don’t know the long-term ones.
The hormonal changes that occur at menopause can have an ongoing effect on your heart, bones, brain and body fat. So, it’s important to talk with your doctor about a healthy bodyweight, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mental and emotional wellbeing, and all the relevant health checks, plus other issues such as vaginal health and libido.
Midlife offers a wonderful opportunity to assess your health and set yourself up for that next phase of life.
All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure the information created by Jean Hailes Foundation, and published on this website is accurate as at the time of its creation.
© 2024 Jean Hailes Foundation. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without written permission of the copyright owner. Contact: licensing@jeanhailes.org.au
