A Senate Inquiry examining issues related to menopause and perimenopause has recommended the federal government consider introducing paid gender-inclusive reproductive leave in the National Employment Standards (NES) and modern awards to help people manage symptoms and a range of impacts.

It has also called on the federal government to consider how to expand the scope of practice of nurse practitioners to ensure better support for women experiencing menopause in rural and regional areas.

After hearing the stories of hundreds of women, along with evidence from clinicians, academics, and public health bodies, the report, handed down earlier this week, found Australian women “do not always receive adequate support to manage their symptoms, both in the health system and in their workplaces”.

The inquiry looked at a range of issues related to menopause and perimenopause, including reduced workforce participation and impacts to superannuation balances, physical and mental health challenges, barriers to treatment, and the level of awareness amongst medical professionals, patients and the community.

Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include hot flushes or night sweats, fatigue, sleep difficulties, anxiety, depression, and muscle and joint aches/pains.

“Throughout the inquiry, women shared their personal stories of the significant impact menopause and perimenopause have had on their lives,” the report states.

“The stories told by submitters highlighted that, for some women, the menopause transition can involve debilitating symptoms that can affect all aspects of a woman’s life. Their direct experiences reveal the difficult challenges faced by many women in Australia to access the care and support they need.”

As well as reproductive leave, which unions including the ANMF called for in giving evidence during the inquiry, the report also recommends:

• The Australian Government consider how to expand the scope of practice of nurse practitioners to ensure better support for women experiencing menopause in rural and regional areas.
• The Department of Health and Aged Care Commission research to establish a comprehensive evidence base about the impacts of menopause and perimenopause on women in Australia.
• The Australian Government launch a national menopause and perimenopause awareness campaign, designed in consultation with experts and people with lived experience, to provide information and resources for women and communities across Australia.
• The Australian Government commission research to undertake a comprehensive study to assess the economic impacts of menopause such as workforce participation, income, superannuation and age of retirement.
• The Australian Government consider amendments to Section 65 of the Fair Work Act 2009 to ensure women can access flexile working arrangements during menopause.
• Australian workplaces develop perimenopause and menopause workplace policies in consultation with employees.
• That the Australian Medical Council work with Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand to ensure that menopause and perimenopause modules are included in all medical university curriculums.
  
  

In giving evidence to the inquiry in July, ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said that with an overwhelmingly female workforce and the average nurse aged 47, the union’s members not only experience the challenging symptoms and impacts of menopause and perimenopause but are also uniquely positioned to contribute to the solution through providing better education and healthcare.

She told the committee that modifying rostering practices would provide greater flexibility for nurses and midwives trying to manage their symptoms, who often quickly run out of sick leave. Implementing practical system changes would ultimately improve the workforce’s leading issue, retention, she argued.

“We have more than 120,000 members who are in that 45-64 age bracket and we are at extreme risk of losing that wealth of experience and knowledge. If we could perhaps take a little pressure off the direct care workload, implementing formal coaching and mentoring roles, what we could see is a more relaxed situation for some of our more experienced nurses but not losing their knowledge,” Ms Butler said.

Overall, the committee found that women in Australia experiencing menopause or perimenopause face numerous issues as a result and need better support to manage their symptoms.

The federal government now has three months to respond to the recommendations.