The Australian Government is investing in health and medical research to better support women experiencing menopause.
Funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Partnership Project scheme, researchers will develop a trusted online decision aid to help women make informed, confident decisions about Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT).
Developed by a team led by Professor Martha Hickey of the University of Melbourne, the new tool will provide further support for shared decision making between women and their healthcare providers.
For many women, navigating menopause treatments can be overwhelming, with conflicting information and uncertainty about who to trust.
This research-led tool aims to cut through that confusion - reducing stress, improving conversations with clinicians, and helping women access the care that's right for them, sooner.
Professor Hickey will co-design the tool in partnership with various organisation and stakeholders, as well as women and clinicians, and it will improve access to consistent, high quality menopause care and reduce confusion caused by misinformation.
This project is one of nine research projects the Australian Government is funding through the Partnership Project scheme. The projects will receive a total investment of $13.7 million, with an additional $17.4 million committed by funding partners.
Partners include hospitals, federal, state, territory or local government, health service providers, non-government organisations and charities and community organisations.
The Partnership Project scheme provides funding and support to create new opportunities for researchers and policy makers to work together to define research questions, undertake research, interpret the findings and implement the findings into policy and practice.
Full details of the researchers and projects funded are available to download on NHMRC's outcomes of funding rounds page.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"Investing in research that benefits Australian women is essential. It helps give women have access to trusted information and the support they need to make confident health decisions.
"Australia remains a global leader in health and medical research and projects like these can transform treatment and strengthen healthcare for all Australians."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
"For many women, menopause can be a confusing and isolating experience, made harder by conflicting advice and misinformation. Research partnerships like this can help ensure women have access to clear, trusted information when they need it most.
"Every woman's experience of menopause is different. That's why it's so important that women have the information and support they need to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing."
Quotes attributable to Professor Martha Hickey, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health at the University of Melbourne, and Director of the Women's Gynaecology Research Centre at the Royal Women's Hospital:
"Millions of women experience menopause, and around one quarter report symptoms severe enough to affect their daily lives and while effective treatments are available, treatment decisions are often made in the context of confusing, incomplete or inaccurate information.
"While MHT is the most effective treatment for menopausal hot flushes and nights sweats that affect most women at this time, it's not suitable for everyone, and carries small but well defined risks that vary person to person.
"This project will be the first evidence based tool, co-designed with consumers and clinicians to empower women to make informed choices MHT, based on their own values and needs."
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh:
"NHMRC funded researchers are strongly encouraged to collaborate with partners whose decisions and actions shape health services, health policy and the delivery of care.
"The Partnership Projects receiving funding today have the potential to do that, and to ultimately improve the health of all Australians through the research translation - congratulations to all chief investigators and their teams."
