While women experiencing menopause are talking more openly about it than ever before, new research shows there’s still work to be done.
Eighty-two per cent of women who have experienced symptoms of menopause say it has impacted their quality of life, but nearly half don’t feel comfortable talking about it to people outside of close family and friends.
Hot flushes and night sweats were the most common symptoms reported. This was followed by tiredness, trouble sleeping, weight gain, mood changes, and brain fog and forgetfulness.
Ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October, these findings were revealed in a survey of 1,000 Australian women aged 40-65, commissioned by Astellas Pharma Australia in September 2024.
Nearly half (44 per cent) of women don’t feel comfortable talking to their employer, a quarter (25 per cent) don’t feel comfortable talking to their work colleagues and one in five (22 per cent) don’t feel comfortable talking to their children about menopause.
While 8 out of 10 women do feel comfortable talking to their doctors, only 57 per cent of those who have experienced or are experiencing menopause have sought medical advice.
And when conversations with doctors do happen, 32 per cent of women don’t know what to ask.
The stigma continues
Two-thirds (67 per cent) of the women surveyed said their mothers or other significant women in their lives never discussed menopause openly. And when conversations did occur, they were often shrouded in euphemisms such as “the change” or “the change of life”.
Dr Elina Safro, GP and Chair of the Education subcommittee of the Board of Australasian Menopause Society, says it is crucial for women to feel empowered to discuss menopause symptoms with their families, friends, employers and with their doctors.
“Many women may hesitate to voice their concerns, but open communication, including sharing the impact that menopause may be having on one’s life, is key,” said Dr Safro.
“There are many options available to support them, from lifestyle adjustments to effective, evidence-based medical treatments.”
Taking control of menopause
Women across Australia are uniting through a new Taking Control of Menopause initiative to bring conversations out of the shadows.
One of the women launching this initiative, journalist and women’s health advocate Shelly Horton says it’s about amplifying women’s voices and “supporting open conversations around menopause and connecting more women to vital support and information”.
“We’re seeing a growing, powerful shift in how menopause is spoken about and prioritised across Australia. Many women are already breaking away from historical stigmas, boldly sharing their experiences and supporting one another. We must build on this momentum,” she says, adding that “this will help women prioritise their health”.
Along with sharing first-hand stories from women across Australia and resources, the Taking Control of Menopause initiative outlines three simple steps for women who would like support to start taking control of their menopause: talk to your doctor about menopause symptoms; tell them about its impact on your life; and ask them about options that are right for you.