FAQs
Discover the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Menopause
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How lond do I need to be on treatment?
Each woman is different and therefore your symptoms will be different and the length of time on treatment will also differ. There is no set time to be on treatment.
Is the treatment price covered by Medicare?
Do I need a blood test before treatment?
In general, the doctor will not require a blood test prior to commencing you on treatment. This is because hormonal fluctuations are best represented by your symptoms over a period of time rather than a blood test at one point in time. Once you begin the treatment program, the doctor may organise blood testing for you as a monitoring tool. Of course, certain patients with pre-existing conditions may require screening testing prior to treatment.
Is it recommended to do a saliva test prior to treatment?
In our experience saliva testing has been unreliable when it comes to hormone profiles. However, saliva testing is highly reliable and recommended for the assessment of Adrenal Fatigue or Cortisol Insufficiency.
What is a technology based consultation?
A technology based consultation is where a doctor conducts the consultationwith you over the phone or via video link. The consultation would be similar to if you were face to face with the doctor in the consulting room. Treatment of hormonalimbalances does not require a physical examination but the doctor will confirm this at the consultation. Technologybased consultations has made it possible for patients in rural or remote areas to gain access to medical care. We follow the Australian Medical Board’s guidelines for technology based consultations to ensure your privacy is secured.
What is included in the $99/month treatment program fee?
Our $99/month program supports you through menopause with experienced care, natural therapies, a supportive community and flexible access that fits your lifestyle - without lock-in contracts. You get the following benefits:
Unlimited Telehealth Consults: Speak to doctors (gap-free bulk-billed, eligibility criteria apply), naturopaths, and nutritionists as often as you need—no referral or clinic visit required. Our medical team specialises in menopause care.
Personalised Treatment & Medication Delivery: We can organise your prescriptions and treatment plans, including Menopausal Hormone Therapy if appropriate, and our partner pharmacies will ship medications directly to your door.
Lifestyle Perks & Wellness Offers: Enjoy exclusive discounts and samples from trusted wellness, beauty, and supplement brands like Antipodes, Trilogy, INTU Wellness, and more.
Concierge-Style Support: Need help navigating your plan or managing your treatment? Our on-demand support team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Community Connection: Join a supportive space of like-minded women navigating menopause together—because you’re not alone in this.
Coming Soon: Members will soon get early access to the Emsee app, complete with expert Q&A, educational content, and symptom support tools.
*Medications and treatments are charged separately.
What are compounded hormones and are they safe?
Compounded hormones are those that are specifically produced bya trained and qualified pharmacist adhering to strict Australian Pharmacy Board regulations that are specifically prescribed and tailored for the individual use of patients to target their symptoms.
Why do so many women choose hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)?
In recent years, one of the most important shifts in menopause research and treatment is the recognition that body-identical hormone treatments have proven to be much safer than synthetic hormone treatments. This is something that the doctors at the Centre have supported since our inception in 2003. This has also meant that commercially produced TGA-registered body-identical hormones are available in specific doses.
‘Body identical’ hormone therapy refers to a hormone that is identical to those produced by the body. These are TGA approved treatments and have a documented profile of benefit as well as short term and long-term risk. Commercially available body-identical oestrogen is available in Australia as tablets, transdermal patches or gel in specific doses. Examples of these include Estraderm, Estradot, Climara, Estrogel and Sandrena gel. It is also available for topical vaginal treatment – Ovestin and Vagifem.
Commercially available body-identical progesterone is now available in capsule form in Australia (as Prometrium). Prometrium is currently available as a 100mg capsule. Many of the studies/research available on commercial products do not extend to bioidentical hormones alone, as they predominately focus on synthetic hormone preparations. In studies that use bioidentical hormones, it does appear that the health outcome is more favourable compared to the synthetic alternative.
Compounded bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) are products are compounded to an individual prescription from your doctor. Although the active constituents are pharmaceutical USP grade bioidentical hormones, the preparations are not individually TGA approved. Some large cohort studies including the French E3N study, have been conducted on patients using compounded bioidentical hormones and these studies have contributed to the development and controlled trials of set dose products that have been listed on the TGA register. However, because each prescription is compounded for an individual’s needs, there is no data available from controlled studies on these specific preparations regarding efficacy and safety.
Compounded bioidentical hormones may provide an option for patients where a commercial/pharmaceutical product does not achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes for patients and an alternate strength or mode of application, which is not commercially available, is indicated.
References:
Their chemical and molecular structure are the same as the hormones the body produces. In addition, BHRT is derived from plant sources such as wild yam.
The doctors and clinical team at AMC take into consideration a women’s weight and symptoms before prescribing a dose that best suits a patient. The dose can be adjusted, which is a tremendous bonus especially in per-menopause where hormones are fluctuating regularly. A standard dose often leaves patients with symptoms of overload or insufficiency which is not ideal. If this occurs, a compounded BHRT may offer an even greater benefit as the dose can be adjusted according to a patients needs.
Where does BHRT come from and how is your medication made up?
These hormones are derived from plants such as the wild yam. They are termed as such because they are chemically identical to the hormones the body produces naturally. Bio-identical hormones have been prescribed by doctors, either is a pharmaceutically available standardised product or produced by compounding pharmacies. The advantage of compounding is that it allows the doctor to tailor a dose that is specific to the patient’s needs.
Does Hormone Therapy cause weight gain?
Several factors cause weight gain during peri-menopause and menopause. As you age, your metabolism slows down which can contribute to weight gain. Declining levels of Oestrogen can also affect body fat distribution. Drops in Oestrogen may cause an increase in fat mass especially around the abdomen. It is important to note that weight gain is not caused by HRT and symptoms of bloating can be misinterpreted as weight gain. Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3964739/
Are medications and treatments included in the $99/month program fee?
No, medications and treatments are not included in the $99/month program fee. Patients pay for the medications they need separately, charged at the relevant pricing depending on their eligibility for PBS and other benefits such as Concession and Closing the Gap. In summary, treatments are charged as follows:
- PBS listed medications will be charged at the PBS pricing or Concession and ‘Closing the Gap’ pricing for those eligible
- Non-listed medications will be charged at private prescription pricing
- Supplements will be charged at discounted partner pricing exclusive to women who are signed up to our treatment program
What’s your program cancellation and refund policy?
Our $99/month program is designed to be flexible and convenient.
We do not provide refunds on program fees already paid for but you can cancel the program anytime and you will not be charged again in the future.
What is menopause?
Menopause is defined as when a woman has not had a period for 12 months. The age menopause starts varies from woman to woman but generally occurs in the late 40s or early 50s. At this time there is a drop in the oestrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries which results in women experiencing symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, headaches and low libido just to name a few. 8 out of 10 women will experience the symptoms associated with menopause and most of these can be treated.
Do all women experience the same symptoms during menopause?
Every woman is different and therefore is likely to experience different symptoms and of varying severity. Some women will experience severe hot flushes and night sweats while others are will have difficulties with sleep and moods. It is important to seek help from a doctor who will focus on your individual symptoms and receive a treatment that is tailored for you.
What is the difference between menopause and peri-menopause?
Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause where the ovaries begin to produce less oestrogen. Perimenopause typically begins in the 40s but can start as early as the 30s. At this time, a woman’s hormone levels fluctuate leading up to the point when the ovaries cease to produce eggs and hormone levels drop sharply. Once a woman has stopped menstruating for 12 months she is considered to be in menopause. Similar symptoms are associated with both perimenopause and menopause such as hot flushes and night sweats although symptoms will be much less consistent during the perimenopausal years.
At what age does menopause start?
In general menopause is most likely to begin from the late 40s to the early 50s. The exact time menopause starts for each individual woman varies depending on their family history, genetics, health profile and other factors such as certain medications. Women who have had a hysterectomy will have gone into surgical menopause irrespective of their age.
Do men also go through menopause?
Men also suffer symptoms associated with ageing however this process is very different to what women go through. Whilst women reaching menopausal age will experience a sudden drop off of hormones produced by the body, men see a gradual decease in the hormone testosterone over many years. This is sometimes referred to as andropause. Just like menopause, andropause may be treated by hormonal supplementation. It is important to speak to an experienced doctor.
What are the most common symptoms of menopause?
Every woman is different and will experience different symptoms during menopause. The most common symptoms we see from patients are hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood swings, weight gain, bloating, headaches and loss of libido.
Is breast pain a symptom of menopause?
More than two thirds of women will experience breast discomfort. This is a result of hormonal changes mainly during peri-menopause. Breast pain or tenderness can be in one breast or both.
Is fatigue a symptom of menopause?
Change in hormone levels can be a contributor to fatigue during menopause. Falling levels of Oestrogen and Progesterone can result in fatigue. It is also important to rule out other factors that can contribute to fatigue such as, thyroid problems, heart disease, anxiety and depression.
Is depression a symptom of menopause?
Depression is one of the most common symptoms of menopause. Many women are likely to experience depression during menopause. The increase in risk of a woman developing depression can range from 30% to 5 times the normal risk depending on whether there is prior history of depression.
I am getting headaches at the same time each month. Are they hormonal?
Hormonal headaches are associated with the fluctuations in oestrogen levels during a woman’s cycle. Most women complain of headaches just before their period, this caused by a gradual build up of oestrogen leading up to the period followed by a sudden drop in levels as the bleed starts. Insufficient levels of progesterone mid cycle may also contribute to hormonal headaches.
Is lack of concentration a symptom of menopause?
Yes, this can be a common symptom of both peri-menopause and menopause. Many women going through menopause report that their memory and concentration is not as good as it used to be, this has been shown in various studies and point to a drop in Oestrogen being a possible cause. There is also evidence that memory problem suffered during menopause do not continue post menopause.
Is a woman’s memory worse after menopause?
Studies have shown that memory and concentration problems developed during menopause do not tend to continue after menopause. As many factors can contribute to memory problems it is advised to speak to a health care practitioner if symptoms worsen post menopause.
Is weight gain a symptom of menopause?
Several factors cause weight gain during peri-menopause and menopause. As you age, your metabolism slows down which can contribute to weight gain. Declining levels of Oestrogen can also affect body fat distribution. Drops in Oestrogen may cause an increase in fat mass especially around the abdomen. It is important to note that weight gain is not caused by HRT and symptoms of bloating can be misinterpreted as weight gain. Provided that treatment is tailored to the individual, these symptoms should subside over time.
Is vaginal dryness a symptom of menopause?
Vaginal dryness along with symptoms of vaginal itching, or pain with sexual intercourse are common symptoms of vaginal atrophy generally caused by a drop in oestrogen levels during peri-menopause and menopause. Not every woman will experience the same symptoms or the same severity and various treatment options are available.
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