Advocates hope a landmark report into the impacts of menopause will spark much needed conversations around the condition and lead to meaningful change. or signup to continue reading The Senate is handing down its inquiry report into the economic, physical, mental and financial impacts of menopause and perimenopause on Tuesday. Menopause occurs between the ages of 45 to 60, and perimenopause - which precedes it - can last for up to 10 years and begin in women aged in their 30s.
Those with the condition can face mild to severe symptoms such as tiredness, aches and pains, menstrual changes, a racing heart, difficulty sleeping, increased irritability and depression. Advocates hope the inquiry can kickstart crucial conversations and quell the stigma associated with the condition to help women suffering in silence. Three in four women will experience a mild to moderate menopause, but one-in-four will experience a severe menopause, Menopause Friendly Australia chief executive Grace Molloy said.
"Most people don't understand what menopause is until it hits them in the face, and many struggle to get support if they are experiencing and wanting that support," she told AAP. Ms Molloy fronted the inquiry calling for employers to educate workforces and break down taboos, develop policies supporting women experiencing the condition and make the working environment more inclusive. She says the inquiry's report will be the first step to opening up the conversation meaningfully in Australia.
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