Menopause and perimenopause support expands into nationwide clinics

More Australian women will be able to access menopause and perimenopause care from July 1. (Getty Images: Sergey Mironov) A national healthcare initiative to support women experiencing menopause and perimenopause symptoms will be expanded from next month. Perimenopause and menopause, which can impact women as young as 20, have wide-ranging symptoms from hot flushes and sleep problems to anxiety, brain fog and changes to mental health and wellbeing. The support will include improved access to physiotherapy, dietetics and psychology. Link copiedShareShare articleIncreased support for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause symptoms will be available from next month as the federal government expands existing services. From July 1, dedicated menopause and perimenopause support will roll out into all 33 of the nation's existing endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive stage, but it can also spell the beginning of changes in the way we think and feel. So how does oestrogen affect the brain? The investment, slated at $40 million, will include broader support such as physiotherapy, dietetics and psychology to give women more coordinated care to manage symptoms and maintain their wellbeing. There is at least one endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic in each state and territory. Menopause occurs when women have gone 12 months without their menstrual periods with no other medical reason for it, while perimenopause occurs during the years leading up to menopause, when hormonal changes and physical symptoms begin. Tasmanian Lia Divirgilio has been receiving care from state-based family planning services, which the 48-year-old said has been "life-changing". Lia Divirgilio has since been prescribed medications containing progesterone. (ABC News: Crystal McKay) Struggling with menopause symptoms such as brain fog and hourly night sweats, she went to her GP and was referred to the clinic. She has since been prescribed medications containing progesterone to alleviate her symptoms, and said without it, her life "would have gone quite downhill". Dr Catherine Moult (left) says menopause and perimenopause can impact a woman's ability to parent and work. (ABC News: Crystal McKay) Catherine Moult, a senior medical officer at Family Planning Tasmania, said menopause and perimenopause present "a huge issue" to women in all aspects of their lives, including employment and parenting. Catherine Moult says the condition can affect women of all ages, including some as young as 20. (ABC News: Crystal McKay) She described the symptoms as "really wide ranging". "You can have symptoms such as brain fog, vasomotor symptoms, so, hot flashes and night sweats. You can have issues with dry skin, with joint pains, joint aches," she said. Despite the average age of menopause in Australia being 51, Dr Moult said the condition can affect women of all ages, including some as young as 20. "We really welcome this additional funding because it's going to build on the important work that we already do to support these women." Federal Assistant Minister Rebecca White, who helps oversee the health and women portfolios, said there was "a lot of evidence that tells us that women are dropping out of the workforce when they're dealing with menopause". The average age at which menopause occurs in Australia is 51. (Supplied: Andrew Popov/AdobeStock) Health department figures show that about one in two women reports mild to moderate symptoms, while one in four reports symptoms severe enough to affect daily activities. 'Brain fog' during perimenopause is real, and it can disrupt women's lives and careers. "So, this is an investment in productivity of our economy, as well as in the life of the women who are living with menopause and perimenopause," Ms White said. She said many women do not know where to turn for help or feel dismissed in the system, and the expanded clinics aim to fill that gap. "We know that when women are able to access the healthcare that they deserve, particularly when it comes to menopause, they're able to continue being a great parent, a great partner, and a great employee, or running their own business, and that's what we want for every woman." Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionTop StoriesThousands turn out to watch the Socceroos battle Paraguay for World Cup gloryTopic:FIFA World Cup

Menopause and perimenopause support expands into nationwide clinics

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