Free yourself and embrace positive sexual wellbeing 

Download booklet here: Sexual wellbeing after menopause840.7 KB

Sexual wellbeing

Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing related to sexuality.

Sexuality is an integral part of the human psyche. Sexuality is expressed throughout life in all people both consciously and unconsciously in body movements and body language, speech, appearance and in every imaginable way people interact with each other. The way people demonstrate their innate sexuality varies according to their stage of life. Sexuality is not limited by age, relationship status or sexual preference.

Studies across a number of countries have shown that women place high value on sexual intimacy in their relationships and the majority of women continue to be sexually active into their later years. [1., 2.]

Consequently, a decrease in sexual wellbeing and loss of intimacy can have profoundly negative effects. After menopause 30-50% of women experience sexual difficulties that adversely impact their intimate relationship, psychological wellbeing health, social functioning and overall quality of life. [3., 4.] However, there is a range of treatment options for women to consider.

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) guideline offers best practice advice on the care of women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), both primary and secondary.

The patient population comprises women younger than 40 years (which includes Turner Syndrome patients) and women older than 40 years, but with disease onset before 40. 

Information for  women with  Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

The consumer companion for the clinical guideline providing recommendations for POI is for you if: 

• You have been diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). 

The booklet aims to

• increase awareness of premature ovarian insufficiency
• encourage women with POI to attend their healthcare provider.
• provide women with POI with tools to discuss their options with their healthcare provider.

Information for  women with Iatrogenic  Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

The consumer companion for the clinical guideline providing recommendations for iatorgenic POI is for you if:  

• You have been diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) as a result of treatment for cancer or benign disease -
• You are about to undergo treatment that could result in POI

The iatrogenic booklet aims to:

• increase awareness of premature ovarian insufficiency
• encourage women with POI to attend their healthcare provider.
• provide women with POI with tools to discuss their options with their healthcare provider.

 These booklets are intended for patients, but may also be useful for their family members and caregivers 

Although some women may abruptly stop having periods leading up to the menopause, many will notice changes in patterns and irregular bleeding. 

Whilst this can be a natural phase in your life, it may important to see your healthcare professional to rule out other health conditions if other worrying symptoms occur.

Many women experience Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) during perimenopause. AUB  is defined as bleeding that differs in frequency, regularity, duration or amount to your regular menstrual bleeding. [1] Changes to the menstrual cycle often carry no significant consequences [2]; however, they could have a range of causes. Although it may simply be a symptom of perimenopause, it is still sensible to raise the issue with your healthcare professional. A thorough history and physical examination will indicate the cause of uterine bleeding and help discern the need for further investigation and treatment. [3] Other investigations for abnormal uterine bleeding include a PAP Smear, Endometrial or Uterine Sampling (Endometrial Biopsy), a Vaginal Ultrasound (Echography) and routine laboratory testing.

Changes before the Change1.06 MB

This booklet is designed to support women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer who may experience menopausal symptoms. Menopausal symptoms can be a side effect of some breast cancer treatments. Management of menopausal symptoms after treatment for breast cancer needs a different approach to that used by women who enter menopause naturally.

This booklet provides information about menopause and its symptoms. It describes some of the physical and emotional changes experienced by women with breast cancer and offers some practical suggestions for managing these changes.

This booklet is not a replacement for advice given by a health professional and it does not cover all options available. Only a health professional can help individualise your care.

Managing menopausal symptoms after breast cancer - a guide for women 

In recognition of World Menopause Day on October 18, 3AW Talking Health with Dr Sally Cockburn ran a special edition of the program.

Sally sat down with Jean Haile's Gynaecologist, Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM and Jean Haile's Endocrinologist, Dr Sonia Davison to give listeners a better understanding of menopause and how it involves more than just hot flushes. 

Talking Health: Menopause - October 16, 2016

https://audioboom.com/boos/5171069-talking-health-menopause-october-16-2016

Dr Farrell is a past President of AMS

Dr Davison is AMS "Changes" Editor

Heart Health Matters

Menopause is the stage in your life when your periods stop permanently, signaling the end of your reproductive years. It happens when there are no more eggs in your ovaries. Because eggs stimulate your body to produce oestrogen, the levels of estrogen in the blood drop, resulting in menopausal changes in the body when they are exhausted.

As a result of the hormonal changes surrounding menopause, many women experience both physical and emotional symptoms:

• Hot flushes / flashes
• Night sweats
• Insomnia and disrupted sleep
• Racing heart / palpitations
• Weight gain (especially around the waist and abdomen)
• Headaches
• Changes to the skin, hair and nails
• Aches and pains in joints and muscles
• Lower sex drive
• Vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse and increased risk of vaginal infections
• Inability to control urination and increased risk of urinary infections
• Difficulty concentrating and memory lapses
• Fatigue / low energy levels
• Mood swings and irritability
• Depression

This comprehensive booklet offers positive advice on preventative strategies to prevent cognitive decline. It explains the difference between cognitive decline and dementia, how to prevent memory loss in midlife and highlights the top 10 tips for women to improve brain health and function.

What comes to mind – menopause and the aging brain?810.25 KB

Prevention is key to reducing memory loss as women age

What happens during the menopause?

All women go through the menopause. When a woman's menstrual periods stop, her ovaries stop producing eggs and her oestrogen levels decline.

51 years is the average age for a woman to reach the menopause and the entire process can last anywhere from 2-10 years. [1]

Menopause Monologues was an information resource kit for women.  Stocks have now been depleted and copies are no longer available.

For comprehensive resources go to Menopause Management for Information Sheets and Videos to support women through midlife health and the menopause.

This information is organised into the following management categories for ease of reference: 

• Menopause Basics
• Menopause Treatment Options 
• Early Menopause
• Risks and Benefits
• Uro-genital
• Bones
• Sex and Psychological 
• Alternative Therapies
• Contraception 

Presenter Natasha Mitchell, Jean Kittson and Professor Martha Hickey discuss all matters menopause in the final program in the ABC Radio National's Women's Health Series that aired on 28 June 2014, about menopause.   

Listen here 

Jean Kittson - comedienne and author 

When Jean Kittson hit menopause, she was amazed at what she didn't know. Given that 1.5 million Australian women are menopausal at any one time, why, she wondered, was menopause so little discussed and then only in hushed tones?

So Jean set out to write the sort of book she felt she needed to read: 'An easy-to-read book full of useful information that didn't make you want to put on an old chenille dressing-gown and a pair of comfortable slippers and throw yourself under a marching band.'

You're Still Hot to Me is a chatty - sometimes robust - conversation between women and with some of Australia's top experts. 

Professor Martha Hickey, BA (Hons) MSc (Clin Psych) MBChB FRANZCOG MD 

Professor Martha Hickey is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne and Adjunct Professor of OBGYN at Yale University, CT. In her clinical practice she runs the menopause services at The Women's Hospital, Melbourne. She initially trained as a Clinical Psychologist in the UK and then qualified in medicine in 1990 from the University of Bristol. She completed her specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2000 at Imperial College School of Medicine, London. She then moved permanently to Australia.

Professor Hickey is an experienced clinician researcher in gynaecology. Her main areas of interest are abnormal uterine bleeding and menopause. In the field of menopause she runs a large clinical service, offering unique multidisciplinary care for women with menopausal symptoms following a cancer diagnosis. She has clinical and research interests in the development of non-hormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms and in the mechanisms of abnormal bleeding in women using sex steroids for contraception or HRT. 

Your years between 45 and 55 can be the best of your life. You should now be able to do the things you enjoy.

These years are also usually the time when you reach the menopause. With the right treatment however, menopause will barely interfere with your life.

This booklet has been put together to answer your questions about the menopause.

So you can maintain an active, vibrant lifestyle after the menopause, it also outlines ways in which you can reduce, and even eliminate the impact of menopausal symptoms.

Presenting a Positive Outlook on the Menopause375.29 KB