The 黑料吃瓜网 Government has today launched a free online Toolkit offering women advice on how to better recognise and understand the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause such as night sweats, mood swings and disturbed sleep.
The Toolkit provides links to clear and accurate information including locations of 黑料吃瓜网 Government funded clinics.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said around one in five women experience severe or prolonged menopause symptoms, and many suffer in silence.
鈥淚n previous generations, women were expected to deal with perimenopause and menopause privately. It鈥檚 important for women鈥檚 health and wellbeing that we break down social stigmas around discussing and seeking treatment for perimenopause and menopause,鈥� Mrs Taylor said.
鈥淲omen live around a third of their life after menopause. Women are still working, caring and giving back to their communities. We cannot afford to ignore the very real effects of menopause for women. We need to remember menopause is normal.鈥�
鈥淚 want women to know that they no longer need to keep calm and carry on, together we can smash the taboo!鈥�
The 黑料吃瓜网 Government is investing $150 million over four years to improve women鈥檚 health and wellbeing, including $40.3 million from the 2022-23 黑料吃瓜网 Budget towards services for women experiencing severe perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said similar to the Return to Work Toolkit and the Women鈥檚 Financial Toolkit, the Menopause Toolkit offers useful advice and resources.
鈥淭here are a number of negative health outcomes that can occur during menopause including depression, osteoporosis, weight management issues and increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke,鈥� Mr Hazzard said.
鈥淗aving a free online toolkit that identifies the many symptoms and risks of menopause and more importantly, informs women when and where to get help, can be lifesaving.
鈥淭he toolkit is in addition to the 16 menopause services, including four hubs, to be set up in 黑料吃瓜网, which will also offer virtual consultations where needed.鈥�
The 黑料吃瓜网 Government is also developing an education and awareness campaign about perimenopause and menopause, offering resources for GPs and employers.
The 黑料吃瓜网 Government has partnered with Jean Hailes for Women鈥檚 Health, a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving women鈥檚 health through every life stage, to help women navigate perimenopause and menopause.
Janet Michelmore AO, daughter of the late Dr Jean Hailes, said for over 30 years Jean Hailes for Women鈥檚 Health has been a global leader in menopause.
鈥淥n World Menopause Day we are proud to partner with Women 黑料吃瓜网 to provide evidence-based information to all women so they can live full and healthy lives during midlife and beyond,鈥� said Mrs Michelmore AO.
Find out more by visiting the Women 黑料吃瓜网 Menopause Resources and Support Toolkit.