General News
20 October, 2026
Range of treatments for menstrual adjustments
AS a middle-aged female specialist GP I see a large number of women experiencing symptoms which could indicate perimenopause or menopause.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. Menopause happens one year after the final menstrual period because the ovaries stop producing certain hormones and stop producing eggs.
While the average age of natural menopause in Australia is currently 51 years, perimenopause often starts from around age 45.
There is a wide range in how and when women experience menopause and many women are frustrated that there is no single hormone test to accurately detect these phases of life.
Menopausal symptoms can include tiredness, hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, muscle and joint pains, brain fog, decreased libido, anxiety, mood changes, weight gain and urinary problems.
These symptoms can also be caused by a range of other conditions too. If the symptoms are affecting a woman’s quality of life, it is well worth a visit to see her usual GP.
Menopause is a fantastic opportunity to review and optimise health. We know making lifestyle changes can improve menopause symptoms and help improve wellbeing.
This may include changing our diet to eat less processed foods and more whole foods, stopping smoking, reducing stress, reducing alcohol use and doing regular resistance exercise to prevent loss of muscle.
There are also a range of medications available for menopausal symptoms.
Menopausal hormone therapy (also called hormone replacement therapy) can be a very effective treatment for menopausal symptoms.
The benefits and risks of these medications should be carefully considered in the context of each individual woman’s medical history, family history and symptoms.
The medications come in a range of products, including tablets, patches, gels and intrauterine devices. Some women need to try multiple different options to find what is right for them.
If you think menopause may be impacting on your quality of life, please make an appointment to see your GP and seek help.
– Dr Aileen Traves works in clinical practice as a specialist GP in Cairns. She is the head of the James Cook University Cairns Clinical School, overseeing medical training at the university.
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