Greens plan to end menopause treatment horror stories

Women have told a Senate committee about the impact of unaffordable menopause treatments. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)

Cheaper treatments and a national education blitz feature in a Greens election pitch to ease pressure on women experiencing menopause and perimenopause.

The struggle to find and afford menopause hormonal therapies (MHT) was a key finding from a parliamentary inquiry that reported in September.

The committee heard "horror stories" from women about medication costs, said inquiry co-sponsor and Greens spokesperson for women Larissa Waters.

“We were told about one woman who was controlling her anxiety and depression with MHT until she could no longer afford it, she was forced to ask for Valium because it is PBS listed and $15 for a box of 50," she said.

“For too long, women experiencing menopause and perimenopause have suffered in silence."

Greens senator Larissa Waters
Larissa Waters said the Greens want $50m annually to subsidise treatments and prevent shortages.

Women typically enter menopause between 45 to 60 years of age, and perimenopause - which precedes it - can last for up to 10 years and start in their 30s. 

Tiredness, aches and pains, menstrual changes, a racing heart, difficulty sleeping, increased irritability and depression are on the long list of symptoms. 

Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health on Friday, Senator Waters said the minor party wants $50 million annually towards subsidising treatments and preventing medication shortages.

A $5 million national education campaign also featured in the party's election policy, aimed both at the public and health professionals.

Labor, Liberal and Greens senators all agreed the government should look at ways to make menopause hormonal therapies more affordable and accessible in the committee's September's inquiry report.

Education and awareness campaigns also attracted broad support.

The government was also urged to consider paid gender-inclusive reproductive leave, though coalition senators argued it was a matter for the private sector.

Employers would be in a better position to determine what was needed to keep and motivate staff, they said.

Unions call for 10 annual days of reproductive health leave for both men and women, which could involve vasectomies or attending a pregnancy appointment.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store