Government backing for menopause support tool

With navigating menopause treatments reported to be overwhelming and confusing, women’s health experts are working on a first-of-its-kind, evidence-based resource to streamline decision-making for individualised care.
 
Announced on Tuesday as part of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Partnership Project scheme, an online decision-making tool is being developed to support women to make ‘informed and confident’ decisions about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in collaboration with their healthcare team, while reducing confusion due to misinformation.
 
The ‘Supporting informed choice: MHT decision aid’ is one of nine NHMRC-funded research projects receiving a total of $13.7 million, with an additional $17.4 million committed by funding partners, including the RACGP. Enabling findings to be implemented into policy and practice, the project is designed to assist women to navigate tailored menopause information and care.
 
Leading the project is University of Melbourne Professor Martha Hickey, who is also Director of Women’s Gynaecology Research Centre at the Royal Women’s Hospital and sits on the Australasian Menopause Society.
 
She said with conflicting information and uncertainty surrounding what to choose and who to speak with, navigating menopause treatments can be overwhelming for many women.
 
‘Millions of women experience menopause, and around one quarter report symptoms severe enough to affect their daily lives,’ Professor Hickey said.
 
‘Effective treatments are available, [but] treatment decisions are often made in the context of confusing, incomplete or inaccurate information.
 
‘While MHT is the most effective treatment for menopausal hot flushes and nights sweats that affect most women at this time, it’s not suitable for everyone, and carries small but well-defined risks that vary person to person.’
 
As well as reducing uncertainty and stress, the new tool aims to improve patient conversations with their healthcare providers to enable them to access timely and personalised care. It is being co-designed with various stakeholders, including clinicians and female patients.
 
‘This project will be the first evidence-based tool, co-designed with consumers and clinicians to empower women to make informed choices on MHT, based on their own values and needs,’ Professor Hickey said.

‘The tool is aimed at women considering starting, or potentially stopping, MHT. Having used the tool, they will then be more certain and more informed when they discuss MHT (or not) with their GP.’
 
The NHMRC funding comes following the Federal Government’s flagship women’s health funding package announced last year, including the listing of three new MHTs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme: estradiol (sold as Estrogel), progesterone (sold as Prometrium), and estradiol and progesterone (sold as Estrogel Pro).
 
A paper published in the recent menopause-focused edition of the Australian Journal of General Practice details clinical guidance on MHT prescribing, recommending it as the first-line treatment for menopausal symptoms with the GP providing advice on risks and benefits, individually tailored treatment and appropriate follow-up.
 
But polarised opinions and patient concerns remain around the use of MHT, with a separate paper revealing that Australian women are still hesitant to use it – largely driven by ‘outdated, widespread fears’ regarding cancer and cardiovascular risks from older studies.
 
Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White said approaches such as the new decision-making tool can ‘help ensure women have access to clear, trusted information when they need it most.’
 
‘For many women, menopause can be a confusing and isolating experience, made harder by conflicting advice and misinformation,’ she said.
 
‘Every woman’s experience of menopause is different – that’s why it’s so important women have the information and support they need to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.’
 
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medical misinformation menopausal hormone therapy menopause MHT NHMRC women’s health