Govt still ‘going through’ damning menopause report

Health Minister Mark Butler has declined to say how the government intends to respond to a damning report that found both the health system and workplaces were failing women.

Released last week, the Senate Community Affairs References Committee's report made 25 recommendations that included giving menopausal women flexible work arrangements, providing extra training to GPs, and increasing the time medical students spend studying menopause and perimenopause – the current curriculum only allots an hour of education during a five- to six-year course.

The Committee also called on the government to consider paid gender-inclusive reproductive leave, plus a national awareness campaign, and for menopause to be studied in schools as part of the curriculum.

It also said urgent action was needed to address shortages of menopause hormone therapy, and that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) should be changed to make the drugs cheaper and more accessible.

While Mr Butler acknowledged it was an “important inquiry” and said some of the findings were “shocking”, he would not commit to implementing the recommendations.

“This is now one of two really important inquiry reports the Senate has delivered to us around women’s health, and together, they tell a pretty shameful story of women not being taken seriously in the health system about their symptoms,” he told ABC Insiders host David Speers.

“Also our treatment regimes, our PBS medicines … the hormone replacement therapy, [is] just not keeping pace with best practice.”

When asked if he would specifically consider the recommendations to ensure flexible work arrangements for women, Mr Butler said “the report was only delivered in recent days, so we’re going to go through it carefully, but it’s been a really important inquiry."

“They are complex conditions that need really complex support," he said.

The health minister will be working with Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney in the consideration of the report findings.

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Women, on average, go through menopause between the ages of 45 to 55. Symptoms include hot flushes, vertigo, brain fog, headaches, anxiety and depression.

Multiple women told the Senate they were ignored by medical professionals, with one woman telling the Committee: “I’ve been gaslit and misdiagnosed, had symptoms ignored and dismissed, told they’re all in my head or it’s stress, told to exercise, take a holiday, have a glass of wine.”

Dr Sarah White of Jean Hailes for Women's Health welcomed the tabling of the landmark report.

“Many of the recommendations have the potential to significantly improve the health and wellbeing of Australian women if implemented thoughtfully," she said.

“We are particularly pleased to see recommendations for improved healthcare professional education, affordable treatments and workplace flexibility.

“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.”

Experts have commended the committee for recognising that the recommendations are not designed to 'fix menopause', but rather understand it better and offer women the tools they need to maintain the quality of life they deserve.

Professor Susan Davis, director of the Women's Health Research Program at Monash University said more research is key.

“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’," Professor Davis said.

“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."

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