Senator Waters calls out lack of Federal policy on menopause despite impacting half the population

Pharma News: Stakeholders have welcomed the tabling of the landmark report from the Senate Inquiry into issues related to menopause and perimenopause, commending the attention being given to issues that affect millions of Australian women.

Greens Senator, Larissa Waters, who tabled the bipartisan consensus report said “Women shared that they were disbelieved, wrongly diagnosed, or dismissed when they sought treatment – many felt gaslit.

“The committee heard that some medical degrees had only one hour of education on menopause, so I am pleased to see a recommendation for more undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.”

The report also called for more workplace flexibility, consideration of gender-inclusive reproductive leave and the development of a national awareness campaign.

Senator Waters said while more than half of the population experienced menopause and perimenopause, there was “little federal policy to address its impacts”.

“It sends a powerful message that after a year-long inquiry, all the political parties involved in the inquiry have agreed on the recommendations,” she said.

Professor Susan Davis AO, Professor and Director, Women’s Health Research Program, Monash University, said “The Senate Inquiry into menopause and perimenopause highlights the need for greater understanding of the impact of menopause across the diverse spectrum of people who are affected by this life phase. As I was quoted as saying in the report: ‘we are walking blind’.

“Having more research as the first recommendation of the Report puts the need for greater knowledge at the front and centre of improving health care provider training, health care delivery and policies, such as workplace policies, that impact Australians with respect to menopause.

“The list of recommendations demonstrates that the Committee has heard that improving midlife women’s health requires concurrent investment in community education, healthcare provider education and in research. I am pleased to see recognition of the Practitioner Toolkit for Managing Menopause and the resources Jean Hailes and the Australasian menopause Society has to offer the community.

“It is also noteworthy that the Committee recognises that work engagement for midlife women is not simply about ‘fixing menopause’ but that research is needed to elucidate the other, possibly more substantial, determinants of workforce participation and satisfaction for midlife women.”

Dr Sarah White, CEO of Jean Hailes, said the report highlights critical areas to improve support and health care for women during and after the menopause transition. 

“Not all women will struggle with severe symptoms during the menopause transition. Some might struggle instead with endometriosis or migraines, instead. Our approach must be to create inclusive workplace policies that support all employees through various life stages and health challenges.

“It’s great to see a call for more comprehensive research, particularly on how women from multicultural and First Nations communities experience menopause and the economic impacts of menopause on women’s workforce participation. This information will be fundamental to informing evidence-based policies and support systems.”

Dr White also welcomed recommendations to address the cost and shortages of Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) to ensure accessible treatment options, emphasising the critical need for women have access to safe, effective, and affordable treatments when needed.

The federal government has three months to respond to the recommendations.

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