Breaking News: for women and those who love them
Menopause and women's health is being recognised and $500m pledged by the Australian government. My favourite resources below.
This weekend, the Australian government announced its commitment to improving women’s health—specifically around contraception, menopause, and hormone therapy!!!!
I almost cried!
For too long, this has been an underfunded, under-discussed, and under-supported area of medicine. The generations before us had to suffer in silence, dismissed with a pat on the head and a “that’s just part of getting older.” Many of us have been navigating this storm with Google, Facebook groups, and whispered conversations in the chemist aisle.
So yes, I got emotional. While I don’t know what this will look like in reality (and let’s be honest, government promises don’t always land the way we hope), I do know that acknowledging the problem is the first step.
And if it rolls out the way it should, these are the things I’m most excited about:
Reduced cost of HRT/MHT
This is a game-changer. If you’ve been following my journey, you know that accessing the right treatment—while having to jump through a million hoops, advocate for myself, and tell doctors what treatment I needed, all while navigating gaslighting due to healthcare inadequacies—was life-changing for me.
But the cost is a huge barrier for many women. If we’re finally moving towards making HRT/MHT affordable and accessible, that’s a massive win.
Better-equipped healthcare providers
How many times have we heard, “You’re too young for menopause” or “That’s just anxiety; have you tried yoga?” Or what I heard (no joke), “Snap out of it, get up earlier, exercise, and take your vitamins.”
It’s infuriating. The fact that doctors receive almost no training in menopause care is baffling, given it affects half the population. If this new commitment means GPs will actually be educated in perimenopause and menopause symptoms and treatment, that’s a real step forward.
Greater awareness & public education
I can’t tell you how many women I’ve spoken to who don’t think they need to know about menopause—yet they’re dealing with the symptoms! Brain fog, anxiety, joint pain, insomnia… so many women are struggling but have no idea it’s hormone-related.
Even worse, their partners, workplaces, and even some doctors aren’t clued in either.
More awareness means more understanding, more advocacy, and (hopefully) less gaslighting.
What’s actually changing?
From what’s been outlined so far, the plan includes:
👉 Lower costs for HRT/MHT (we’ll see how much!)
👉 Better training for GPs & healthcare professionals
👉 Education campaigns to raise awareness
👉 New Medicare rebates for menopause consultations
👉 Increased Medicare rebates for IUD insertion
👉 Expansion of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics
👉 Better access to UTI treatments at pharmacies
The details are still emerging, and I’ll be watching closely to see if this is a genuine shift or just another PR move. But for now, I’m cautiously hopeful.
Key Facts from News Reports:
Subsidised Contraceptives:
New oral contraceptives, including Yaz® and Yasmin®, will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), reducing costs for around 50,000 women from $380 to $126.40 annually, or $30.80 for concession card holders. (The Australian)
Affordable Menopause Treatments:
Three new hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications—Prometrium, Estrogel, and Estrogel Pro—will be subsidised under the PBS. (The Australian)
Enhanced Medicare Support:
A new Medicare rebate will be introduced for menopause health assessments.
Medicare rebates for IUD insertions will increase from around $91 to $215. (The Australian)
Expansion of Specialised Clinics:
11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics will be established, bringing the national total to 33. (The Australian)
Improved Access to UTI Treatments:
National trials will enhance pharmacy access to UTI treatment with free consultations for concession card holders. (The Australian)
Better Healthcare Professional Training:
The government is investing in menopause education for medical students, addressing the lack of training (often limited to one hour during their degrees). (The Guardian)
Final Thoughts
While these announcements are promising, the real impact will depend on execution. It’s up to us to keep talking, keep pushing, and hold the system accountable.
I was chatting with my husband about this this morning, and we actually high-fived at this progress. He’s been along for the ride as well. I explained how so many of my girlfriends have just accepted the monthly pain as part of being a woman. But now’s our time. I just wish it had happened sooner—years of asking older friends and family members, Tell me everything! Only to be met with blank stares or “I don’t really remember.”
I’ve been thirsty for this knowledge and support for the last decade. I’m just so glad we’re finally being heard.
I’d love to hear from you—how would better menopause support have helped you (or someone you know)? And what do you think needs to change next?
Let’s talk in the comments. 💬👇
My favourite resources:
Ged Kearney: Member 4 Cooper, Asst Min for Health, Aged Care & Indigenous Health.
Australian Menopause Society Symptom Scorecard - this is what I used to give to my gynaecologist to determine I was indeed in Perimenopause and was able to be treated after being turned away from another doctor.
Wellfemme: a Telehealth menopause clinic offering online menopause consultations, treatment and information to Australian women.
So Hot Right Now ~ Redefining Menopause: I’m so excited to attend these two events in March in Sydney. They’ve both sold out but have now announced a live-stream option!
