WOMEN experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms will benefit from enhanced support, with a new menopause hub opening at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick.
The new hub includes NSW’s first publicly-funded dedicated hormone and mood clinic, and is part of NSW Health’s extensive menopause network, which includes four central hubs and multiple referral sites throughout New South Wales.
Moree’s Dr Callum Fealy said the hub is principally a good idea.
“In practice, they are not easy for rural women to access but it is great to see hormone-related mental health specifically mentioned, which is so often under-recognised and misdiagnosed,” Dr Fealy said.
Dr Fealy, a menopause-trained doctor with five years’ experience in the field, hopes to conduct an information session in Moree about perimenopause and menopause care, with details, time and date to be confirmed.
“Ultimately, perimenopause and menopause care is something women should be able to access locally,” he said.
The Sydney hub will offer a comprehensive approach to women whose menopause symptoms have not responded to previous treatments, or who face additional complications from other medical conditions through a multi-disciplinary team of medical, nursing and allied health specialists.
“In my experience providing peri/menopause care for the last five years, the greater barrier to adequate care is lack of awareness amongst women of just what the perimenopause and menopause are, the fact that symptoms can start in the late 30s, as well as the short- and long-term health and social consequences of not getting adequate treatment,” Dr Fealy said.
“The other massive factor is the misconception menopause hormone therapy (MHT) increases breast cancer risk.
“This has now been well and truly proven to be untrue but is sadly ingrained in popular belief,” he said.
“Gold standard MHT prevents cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. It also treats brain fog, irritability, poor sleep, heavy and irregular periods, mood disturbance, hot flashes, aches and pains, soft tissue injury and bladder and genital symptoms.
“This in turn has positive social and economic flow-on, such as preventing workforce drop-out and marriage break-up,” Dr Fealy said.
Through the hormone and mood clinic, psychiatrists, gynaecologists and endocrinologists will also collaborate to provide specialist care to women experiencing significant impact to their mental health due to hormonal changes or fluctuations.
General practitioners, specialists and nurse practitioners can refer eligible women for advanced care, with in-person consultations available, along with telehealth support for those located in the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Southern NSW Local Health Districts.
Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said up to one in four women will experience severe menopause symptoms at some stage in their life.
“Symptoms can be debilitating and affect all aspects of their life, so access to specialist support is so important,” Mr Park said.
“The establishment of a menopause hub at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick is a significant milestone for women in the South Eastern Sydney, Sydney, Illawarra Shoalhaven and Southern NSW local health districts who need advanced support.”
Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison said women have identified menopause as a top health issue and managing it can be complex.
“Women’s health and wellbeing are a key priority for the NSW Government. The opening of this Menopause Hub, as part of a wider network of supports available for women experiencing severe menopause symptoms, is another way we are ensuring women get the important holistic healthcare they need,” Ms Harrison said.
Dr Fealy said the Australasian Menopause Society is a great evidence-based resource for women wanting more information and education.
“There is also a section titled ‘find an AMS member’, where they can search by location for a menopause-trained doctor,” he said.
For more information about South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s menopause hub and referral criteria, contact 02 9382 6248.
