The NSW Government has committed to establishing a statewide menopause services for people experiencing severe symptoms of menopause.
NSW will have a network of 12 referral sites supported by four major hub services, in different local health districts (LHDs).
The hubs will be located at:
- Northern Sydney LHD
- South Eastern Sydney LHD
- South Western Sydney LHD
- Hunter New England LHD.
Hunter New England will lead a hub that is networked to support the rural areas across Mid North Coast and Northern NSW.
About menopause
Menopause is considered to have occurred 12 months following the cessation of menstruation. It is a normal reproductive stage and, on average in Australia, occurs around age 51.
However, 1 in 10 people experience early menopause before the age of 45 and 4% experience premature ovarian insufficiency or complete loss of ovarian function before the age of 40.
Menopause can occur when the ovaries are removed through surgery or cease to function due to treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Case for change
Up to one in four women experiences severe and debilitating symptoms associated with menopause.1 Common symptoms include night sweats, bladder, vaginal and vulval changes, mood swings and trouble sleeping.
After menopause, women are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
Australian midlife women have a good understanding of the immediate effects of menopause. There is less understanding of the long-term consequences following menopause.2
Health practitioners recognise the short-term and long-term effects of menopause. There are opportunities to improve practitioners’ knowledge and confidence in menopausal care.3
Aim of the project
ACI is developing models of care for the new and enhanced services. This will include an escalation pathway for people experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms.
The services will work with primary care to ensure access to specialist menopause multidisciplinary care. They will also link to existing NSW osteoporotic refracture prevention services, given the increased risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.
This initiative is an opportunity to improve the overall health of midlife women, as well as providing better access to menopause services for priority populations.
Membership
The multidisciplinary Menopause Initiative is providing strategic advice around the design and implementation of the services. The Initiative is led by four co-chairs.
Professor Rodney Baber AM
Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney
Co-Chair
Doctor Amanda Beech
Endocrinologist and Obstetric Medicine Physician Conjoint Senior Lecturer, UNSW
Co-Chair
A/Professor John Eden
Conjoint Associate Professor, UNSW Visiting Medical Officer and Director Royal Hospital for Women Menopause Unit
Co-Chair
Ms Joanne Perks
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Liverpool Women’s Health Centre NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network
Co-Chair
Community of Interest
A Community of Interest has been launched to support the work of the Initiative. Within the Community of Interest, groups have been established to inform the design an implementation of statewide services including:
- separate consumer and clinician reference groups
- an implementation working group, with representatives from every LHD in NSW, will put the models of care into practice
- a menopause and Aboriginal health working group to understand opportunities to build on the resources in Aboriginal health to support menopause care.
Inclusive language
We are dedicated to an inclusive health system, embracing progress for women's health and LGBTIQ+ communities. We recognise people who go through menopause may identify as women and other gender identities. We use "women", "consumers", "people" and "patients" interchangeably, alongside "she/her" or "they/them". As gender language evolves, we will continue to consult with the community to ensure inclusivity for all experiencing menopause.
References
- Gartoulla P, Worsley R, Bell RJ, et al. Moderate to severe vasomotor and sexual symptoms remain problematic for women aged 60 to 65 years. Menopause. 2015;22(7):694-701. DOI:10.1097/GME.0000000000000383
- Herbert D, Bell RJ, Young K, et al. Australian women's understanding of menopause and its consequences: a qualitative study. Climacteric. 2020;23(6):622-628. DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2020.1791072
- Davis SR, Herbert D, Reading M, et al. Health-care providers' views of menopause and its management: a qualitative study. Climacteric. 2021;24(6):612-617. DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2021.1936486
