I’ve worked in healthcare for my entire career. I started out in mental health nursing, before focusing on sexual and reproductive health and joining Family Planning (now Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa) in 2001.
Given my background, you might expect that I’d be well prepared for what menopause might bring. But when I started having hot flushes over 20 years ago it took me a while to figure out what was going on. People didn’t talk about hot flushes and menopause at all. And even though I was working for Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, it took me some time to cotton on. Then I saw one of our doctors and my hormone therapy journey started. It was quite a process of finding out what worked for me and getting the dosage right. This means I know firsthand just how important it is to see a health professional who’s well-versed in menopause.
It was quite a process of finding out what worked for me and getting the dosage right. This means I know firsthand just how important it is to see a health professional who’s well-versed in menopause.
Menopause can impact your quality of life, physical health, and relationships. In fact, a Global Women survey released in 2023 highlighted that women’s wellbeing can be significantly impacted in midlife in a huge variety of ways due to menopause, with women reporting experiencing fatigue, feelings of brain fog, anxiety, and loss of confidence. This survey also found that three-quarters of those surveyed said menopause symptoms negatively affected their work.
Similarly, Gender at Work reported in mid-February 2024, that 1 in 12 women resign due to menopause symptoms.
I’m glad to see that these days, more people are talking about menopause, the impact of its symptoms, and the treatment options available. Unfortunately, many still find it difficult to access the care they need. This is especially true of wāhine Māori (and others who face inequities within the health system), with Māori much less likely to be prescribed menopause hormone therapy.
If we’ve made progress in terms of awareness and treatment options, why do many women still find it difficult to receive menopause care? I’ve detailed some key causes below.
There’s a growing need for menopause services across Aotearoa. We have an ageing population, which means that the number of people experiencing menopause will continue to increase. What’s more, women experiencing perimenopause today are more likely to seek out treatment, rather than just put up with their symptoms.
And yet there are relatively few dedicated menopause providers. Our intention is for Menopause Wellbeing to help address this need.
And it’s not just demand for services. There’s also a supply issue with some of the treatment options, such as oestrogen patches.
Our initial appointments are 45 minutes long. This gives us the time to discuss your symptoms, menopause stage, any other conditions, and put together a holistic and tailored treatment plan.
We’re experts in sexual and reproductive health. We provide excellent menopause support through Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinics. But we wanted to make the most of our expertise through a service dedicated to this complex issue. So we created Menopause Wellbeing.
Menopause Wellbeing is a private clinic offering dedicated, expert menopause care that supports a holistic, inclusive approach to menopause treatment. This includes supporting a Te Ao Māori approach to menopause, and having an understanding that is broader than a western biomedical viewpoint. It also includes understanding the concept of Ruahinetanga, whānau roles and responsibilities and the welcoming of whānau or support people to your appointments.
Menopause Wellbeing is philanthropic at its core, with proceeds from this service helping fund Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa’s other vital mahi.
By coming to us for menopause treatment, you’re also funding valuable work across Aotearoa. All proceeds from the private menopause clinic are re-invested in Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, enabling us to continue to promote health, advance education, and benefit the community.
