For Women aged 40-60
Project ID: 46845
Project title: Exploring Knowledge and Attitudes towards Accessing Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) for Mood Symptoms in Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women: Perspectives of Women and Prescribing Psychiatrists
Chief Investigator’s name:
Department of Psychiatry
Phone: (03) 9076 9888
Email: [email protected]
We invite you to take part in this study. Please read this Explanatory Statement in full before deciding whether to take part. If you want to learn more about this project, please contact us at the phone numbers or email addresses listed above.
Perimenopause is the time of transition to menopause, and extends on average for 5-6 years prior to the last menstrual period, often beginning between ages 42-55. Despite the impact of perimenopause on women’s overall quality of life, healthcare providers often focus on physical symptom reduction, and mental healthcare needs can be overlooked during this important life transition. Perimenopausal women have been found to be at a significantly higher risk for depressive symptoms and diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to premenopausal women, and often depressive symptoms are of higher severity compared with pre- and postmenopausal periods. We would like to understand the current knowledge and attitudes towards available
treatments for mood symptoms which occur in the transition to menopause, particularly menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).
You are invited to take part in a research study which will explore your understanding of the use of hormone therapy for mood changes surrounding the time of menopause. This survey will take around 15-20 minutes to complete, and will be a combination of tick-box and free text answers. We intend that this research study will help us to understand the views of both women, and mental health doctors (Psychiatrists), with the aim to inform the delivery of further education and guidelines.
You are eligible to complete this survey if you are a woman between the age of 40– 60 years old, currently residing in Australia. We acknowledge that some individuals who undergo menopause do not identify as women. Participation in this study is entirely voluntary and you do not have to take part in it. Please be aware but that by completing and submitting this survey, you are indicating your consent to participate. If you do not decide to participate but then change your mind before finishing the survey, please close your web browser. This survey has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC). Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study should contact [email protected] and quote the protocol number 46845. If you have any questions about the study please contact Dr Lily Aboud at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne by phoning (03) 9076 6591 or emailing [email protected].
Source of funding
There is no external source of funding for this project.
Consenting to participate in the project and withdrawing from the research
For this online survey, when you click the link at the end of this document, you are consenting to participate in this project. As this project survey is anonymous, we are not able to withdraw your response after you submit it.
Possible benefits and risks to participants
This survey hopes to provide valuable insights into women's perceptions and knowledge about using menopausal hormone treatment for mood changes, helping to identify gaps in awareness and access to care. Understanding these perspectives can guide healthcare providers and policymakers in creating more effective, personalized, and informed support for women during menopause.
This survey will ask general questions about your experience in the time around menopause and mental health. If you need to talk to someone relating to any of the survey questions, please contact one of the support services listed below:
Confidentiality
The information you provide is completely confidential. Access to study information will be limited only to the members of the research team. No identifying information will appear in any publications or presentations of the research. The aim of this data will be to inform a paper, a presentation at a menopause related conference, and be used as part of official scholarly project submission to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
Storage of data
The data will be stored for at least 5 years on secure Monash University servers accessible only to current and future members of the research team. The data will be destroyed after 5 years.
Use of data for other purposes
To meet data sharing rules, we may share anonymised data for use by other researchers. We will put the data on secure public storage. Sharing data helps make sure the truth of research. For instance, some journals need this before they will accept a paper. Journals can use the data to confirm that findings are true. Sharing data also allows other researchers to answer new questions. Any shared data will not have details that would share your identity. Only anonymous data may be used for other projects where ethics approval has been granted.
Results
A summary of the results will be available on the webpage https://www.monash.edu/medicine/hercentre/education/publications after July 30, 2026. The data will form the basis of a scholarly project submission to the Royal Australian College of Psychiatrists.
Complaints
Should you have any concerns or complaints about the conduct of the project, you are welcome to contact the Executive Officer, Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC):
Executive Officer
Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC)
Office of Research Ethics and Integrity
Room 116, Administration Building B (3D)
26 Sports Walk, Clayton Campus
Monash University VIC 3800
Tel: +61 3 9905 2052
Email: [email protected]
The Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) is a professional community dedicated to supporting health professionals who care for women through midlife, menopause, and beyond. Together, we share knowledge, resources, and connections to advance evidence-based practice and improve women’s health.
[email protected]
+61 3 7076 1930
Australasian Menopause Society Limited
PO Box 4009
Hopetoun Gardens VIC 3162
Australia
ABN 69 867 357 105
