The Australian Psychological Society (APS) commends the Government on its Inquiry into Issues related to menopause and perimenopause (The Inquiry). There is no doubt that (peri)menopause is highly significant psychologically, as the associated physiological changes affect many aspects of life including mood, cognition, body image, sex and sexuality. Given this, both practice-informed evidence and psychological science can provide valuable insights to support all Australians affected by (peri)menopause.
The APS is a strong advocate for effective, evidence-informed psychological interventions as first-line treatment for mental health concerns, alongside interventions recommended by medical practitioners as part of a multidisciplinary team.
In our submission, we have sought evidence-informed and practice-based evidence from our members. We have also heard some very moving lived experience accounts from our members which are indicative of the importance of this inquiry to them.
The APS has responded to the relevant Terms of Reference (TORs) and has made the following recommendations:
- Consistent with The National Women’s Health Survey, improve awareness and the Australian community’s understanding of the symptoms and impact of (peri)menopause. This will not only help to reduce the taboo regarding this natural transition it will promote help seeking behaviour. The facilitation of open conversations to normalise this significant life transition is important, for example, in educational settings.
- Fund sustainable research programs with long term follow up to investigate the impact of psychological support on menopause.
- Provide access to appropriate psychological care to address the multi-faceted physical, emotional, existential, and social impacts of (peri)menopause.
- Support public health interventions to reduce the stigma and increase community awareness, acceptance and celebration of menopause.
- Urgently fund research investigating the specific support needs of our First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, and LGBTIAQ+ communities.
- Enhance training for health professionals to identify and address the psychological impacts of (peri)menopause. This is particularly crucial for young people who experience early onset menopause.
- Optimise the ways in which health practitioners can holistically support people experiencing (peri)menopause, ideally through the development of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. Standards should be patient-centred, increase routine screening, and help support family and kin.
- Expand the provision of specialised (peri)menopause health services which can provide in-depth exploration of the potential benefits and risks of evidence-based treatments according to individual circumstances.
- Decrease the cost of HRT, dependent on evidence-based health economic analysis.
- Utilise the expertise of psychologists, specifically, organisational psychologists, to design workplace policies and initiatives to best support individuals experiencing (peri)menopause.
- Undertake more research into the best ways to support people experiencing (peri)menopause in the workplace
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