SPHERE’s submission helps shape Senate inquiry into menopause and perimenopause
SPHERE's submission to the Senate inquiry into menopause and perimenopause has played a crucial role in guiding the recommendations released in the Senate’s final report this September.
The inquiry highlighted significant gaps in policy, education, service provision, and research translation, many of which were flagged in SPHERE's consultation with consumers and experts from its 15 partner organisations.
The report’s 25 recommendations reflect several of SPHERE’s key contributions, particularly in the areas of research, education, and healthcare services.
“Our approach has always been to give our consumers a voice. We used the stories from perimenopausal and menopausal women to frame the evidence informed recommendations we made,” says SPHERE Executive Director, Professor Chris White.
“It is pleasing to see the report from the Senate Inquiry used a similar approach, often citing these examples throughout the text in support of the recommendations finally agreed by the committee.”
Research: Elevating Gender Equity in Research
One of SPHERE’s primary recommendations was the need to address gender inequity in evidence-based, translational research, specifically tailored to the experiences of women in menopause and perimenopause. The Senate inquiry acknowledged this gap, with Recommendation 1 calling for comprehensive research to build an evidence base on menopause's impacts, including mental health effects and early menopause. Importantly, the Senate’s recommendation is that research should also focus on the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse women, First Nations women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and women with disabilities. This marks a significant win in prioritising inclusivity and gender-specific health research, areas SPHERE championed in its submission.
Education: Tailored Clinical Training and Awareness Campaigns
SPHERE also highlighted the need for a committed approach to education on perimenopause and menopause for healthcare professionals, workplaces, and communities. The inquiry’s report aligns with this in several recommendations. Recommendation 2 calls for a national awareness campaign, designed in consultation with experts and those with lived experiences, which directly reflects SPHERE’s call for greater public education. The report also calls for menopause and perimenopause to be included in the Graduate Outcome Statements of primary medical programs and to extend this to nurses and physiotherapists (Recommendation 9).
SPHERE’s recommendation for the need to educate healthcare professionals was reinforced through Recommendation 10, which advocates for menopause and perimenopause modules in medical university curricula. Additional recommendations include education for practising physicians, and increased funding for incentivised continuing professional development in these areas (Recommendations 11 and 12).
Improving Service Delivery: Multidisciplinary and Integrated Care
Recognising the complex and varied needs of women experiencing perimenopause and menopause, SPHERE recommended a population health approach, as well as a shared care model with integrated care hubs.
The inquiry's Recommendation 21 supports this by calling for multidisciplinary facilities within the public health system to better support women during the menopause transition. Additionally, Recommendation 24 suggests creating a National Menopause Action Plan, aligning with SPHERE’s push for coordinated, best-practice care across the country.
“In addition to keeping women at the centre of our research journey and improving the knowledge base of our clinical communities, we emphasised the need for a planning and policy framework to tie the pieces together to make a lasting change for all women who must inevitably transition to menopause,” says Professor White.
As SPHERE celebrates these achievements, it remains committed to advancing the practical management of menopause and perimenopause in Australia, building on the momentum of this inquiry to ensure women receive the care and attention they deserve.
Read the Inquiry's final report
Read SPHERE's submission