True hosted the launch of the Menopause Network on Friday morning at the Calile Hotel in Brisbane! Experts, advocates, and community members alike gathered over breakfast to celebrate the launch of this momentous initiative. The Menopause Network aims to facilitate support and ensure access to accurate and up to date information to ease the challenges faced during this transition.
As the event hosts jokingly declared, it was a day of “High hopes, low estrogen”, and that spirit carried throughout the morning. This wasn’t just a launch, it was a call to action! A celebration of shared experience, and a long-overdue investment in connection, compassion, and care.
The day began with a warm welcome and the story of how the Menopause Network came to be. Developed over the past year, the network is the result of deep, intentional listening, and listening, and listening some more, to those experiencing menopause, peri- and post-menopause, from all walks of life. The message was clear: People navigating menopause want a centralised place for accurate information, as well as peer connections, mentorship, and support. Exactly what the Menopause Network aims to do!
As one advocate put it:
“In pregnancy and motherhood, we seek out mother’s groups. Why shouldn’t we have the same kind of peer support for menopause?”
It was a sentiment that resonated throughout the room.
Next, one of True’s doctors offered a powerful overview of the current landscape of menopause care in Australia. Using the metaphor of uncertain waters, she described the peri- and post-menopausal journey as one of ebbs and flows, where no two experiences are the same.
She emphasised the importance of a holistic approach to menopause care, balancing medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and mental health support to recognise what the patient is facing, and truly optimise their quality of life.
Finally, the event wrapped up with an “in conversation” style panel that brought together clinicians, advocates, and researchers to share their insights from diverse perspectives and lived experiences. The discussion spanned a variety of topics:
Clinicians on the panel, which included doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, and sexologists, discussed evidence informed care, available treatments and considerations for menopause support. They also emphasised the benefits of multidisciplinary teams (GPs, nurses, allied health) can offer more coordinated, comprehensive, and accessible support.
Advocates on the panel spoke about recognising menopause as a significant life transition, akin to puberty, or pregnancy, that deserves recognition, empathy, and connection. They thoughtfully reflected on the unique experiences of non-binary, trans, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, whose journeys may not align with mainstream narratives. As one speaker noted, “Not everyone will mourn the loss of estrogen—but many still need support navigating the changes it brings.” Furthermore, another advocate highlighted systemic gaps in care for marginalised communities, specifically within the justice system, and called for targeted training and awareness to facilitate more equitable care in this space.
Finally, an expert in menopause epidemiology discussed that, despite our growing population-level knowledge in menopause and its impacts, there are major gaps to be explored. For example, the prevalence and impact of severe menopause symptoms in diverse ancestries remain underrepresented in Australian data.
Overall, this launch event was full of hope, insights, and direction for the future of menopause care in Australia.
With the Menopause Network now live, a new era begins - one of connection, peer support, and comprehensive, evidence informed care for everyone.
The Menopause Network website is now live: https://menopause.true.org.au/
Congratulations to all involved in bringing this vital resource to life. This represents meaningful progress in healthcare equity and community-centred care.
