Breaking taboos: push to help women navigate menopause

Australian women will have greater access to information about perimenopause and menopause to break down the stigma many have faced as they approach this major life transition.

Women typically enter menopause between 45 and 60 years of age and perimenopause, which precedes it, can start in their 30s and last up to 10 years.

The hormonal changes can affect women differently, with symptoms ranging from hot flushes and sleep problems to anxiety, brain fog and changes to mental health and wellbeing.

But a parliamentary inquiry into menopause and perimenopause found women often entered this life stage without enough information about symptoms, treatment options and support.

A national campaign now aims to change that, with a new health website to provide women with trustworthy information and resources.

The campaign will roll out across television, cinema, social media and in the press until the end of the year.

"Menopause should not come as a surprise, but for too long silence and stigma have left too many women in the dark," Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said.

"Making sure women have credible, evidence-based information that is easily accessible is essential to supporting their health and wellbeing and it's important for women's families and the broader community to have awareness too."

In 2025, the federal government announced it would open the tender process to develop national guidelines to improve health outcomes for women in diagnosis, treatment and care during menopause.

It also launched a landmark women's health package that included new listings for menopausal hormone therapies on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which subsidises prescription medicines and makes them cheaper.

More than 430,000 women have accessed these therapies since their listing, while almost 105,000 have undergone a menopause health assessment since Medicare began covering them in July 2025.

Too many women had felt dismissed, confused or had to navigate this significant life stage on their own without clear information, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Rebecca White said.

"We know perimenopause and menopause affects women differently and can have a major impact on their life and wellbeing, which is why it was so important this campaign included real lived experiences to help break down the stigma that still exists," she said.

"This campaign is about breaking the taboo of talking about menopause and perimenopause and making sure women can access trusted, evidence-based information for their health."