Development of Australia's first national clinical guidelines for perimenopause and menopause has reached a new milestone with the opening of the tender process to develop the guidelines.
As the world marks World Menopause Day on 18 October, this announcement highlights the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to improving the health of women at all stages of life including better diagnosis, treatment and care for perimenopause and menopause.
A recent Senate inquiry into perimenopause and menopause reported many healthcare professionals have significant gaps in their knowledge of the appropriate management and treatment for perimenopause and menopause.
As a result, health professionals can lack confidence in advising patients about appropriate management options, particularly menopausal hormone therapy. This can lead to delays and inconsistencies in diagnosis and management and poorer health outcomes for women.
Perimenopause and menopause can have a major impact on women's health and wellbeing, affecting sleep, concentration, mood and quality of life. Yet too many women continue to struggle to find the right advice and support.
The national guidelines will improve the care and experiences of women in perimenopause and menopause by providing health professionals with evidence-based, high-quality, safe and consistent information, with a requirement that the guidelines be developed in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Standards for Guidelines and be approved by the NHMRC.
This initiative builds on the Albanese Government's landmark $800 million Women's Health Package, which is improving access to affordable, high-quality care for women across Australia.
The package includes new Medicare items for menopause and perimenopause assessments, with more than 32,000 delivered since July, as well as better access to IUDs, contraceptives and menopause treatments through the PBS, and delivering more endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country.
Development of the clinical guidelines is part of the broader work the Albanese Government is doing to improve support for perimenopause and menopause. This includes funding for health professional training, development of a public health campaign and expansion of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics to include support for perimenopause and menopause.
