Your questions about menopause, answered.

Every woman’s symptoms are different, so the length of treatment is different too. There is no set time you need to stay on treatment. Your Doctor reviews how you are feeling and adjusts your plan as you go. You can read more about symptoms and the Emsee Care Program.

Your first Menopause Assessment is bulk billed with Medicare, if you are eligible. The care plan fee is not covered by Medicare. You can see what each care plan includes and costs on our care plans page.

Usually not. Hormone levels go up and down, so your symptoms over time are a better guide than a single blood test. Once treatment begins, your Doctor may order blood tests to monitor how you are going. If you have a pre-existing condition, you may need some screening before you start.

In our clinic’s experience, saliva tests are not reliable for building a hormone profile. They are considered highly reliable for assessing adrenal fatigue or cortisol insufficiency.

It is a consultation with a Doctor by phone or video, much like an in-person visit. Treating hormonal imbalances does not require a physical examination, and your Doctor will confirm this with you during the consultation. It also means women in rural and remote areas can access care. We follow Australian Medical Board guidelines to protect your privacy.

Each plan combines experienced menopause care, natural therapies and flexible access. Depending on the plan you choose, this can include Doctor appointments, a Clinical Care Team you can message, personalised treatment and medication management, and support from naturopaths and nutritionists.

Medications and treatments are charged separately. See every inclusion and price on our care plans page.

No. Medications are paid for separately. PBS-listed medications are charged at PBS pricing, or at Concession and Closing the Gap pricing for eligible patients. Medications that are not PBS-listed are charged at private prescription pricing. Supplements are charged at discounted partner pricing for members of the program.

Our plans are designed to be flexible, and the terms depend on the plan you choose. Your care team can explain cancellation before you start, and the details are on our care plans page. Fees already paid are not refunded.

Compounded hormones are made by a trained, qualified pharmacist under Australian Pharmacy Board regulations. They are prescribed by a Doctor and tailored to you to target your symptoms. Your Doctor will talk with you about the benefits, the risks and the TGA-approved alternatives. You can read more on our bio-identical hormones page.

Our clinic has prescribed body-identical hormones since we opened in 2003. Body-identical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones your body makes, and TGA-registered body-identical products are available in set doses.

TGA-approved body-identical hormones. These have documented benefits and documented short- and long-term risks. Oestrogen is available as tablets, transdermal patches and gels. There are vaginal oestrogen options too, and progesterone is available as a capsule.

Compounded body-identical hormones (BHRT). These are made to an individual prescription using pharmaceutical-grade (USP) hormones, and the preparations are not individually TGA approved. Large cohort studies, including the French E3N study, helped inform the set-dose products now on the TGA register. Because each compounded prescription is individual, there is no controlled-study data on the effectiveness and safety of these specific preparations. Compounding may be considered when a commercial product has not worked, or when a strength or application method is not commercially available.

Your dose. Your Doctor considers your weight and symptoms when setting a dose, and it can be adjusted. That matters in perimenopause, when hormones fluctuate and a standard dose may be too much or too little.

References: Mayo Clinic Proceedings article and PubMed Central article.

These hormones are derived from plants such as wild yam, and they are chemically identical to the hormones your body makes. Bio-identical hormones are available as standardised pharmaceutical products, or as compounded preparations from compounding pharmacies. Compounding allows your Doctor to tailor the dose to you.

Several things contribute to weight gain in perimenopause and menopause. Metabolism slows with age, and falling oestrogen can shift where your body stores fat, particularly around the abdomen. Our position is that hormone therapy does not cause weight gain, and that bloating is often mistaken for it.

Reference: PubMed Central article.

No. Symptoms and how strong they are vary from woman to woman. Some women have severe hot flushes and night sweats, while others struggle most with sleep and mood. A Doctor can focus on your individual symptoms and tailor your treatment.

Perimenopause is the transition before menopause, when your ovaries begin producing less oestrogen. It usually starts in your 40s, but it can begin in your 30s. Hormone levels fluctuate until the ovaries stop releasing eggs and levels drop sharply.

You are considered to be in menopause after 12 months without a period. Similar symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats, can occur in both stages, but they tend to be less consistent during perimenopause.

Menopause most often begins in the late 40s to early 50s. The timing varies with family history, genetics, your health and some medications. Women who have had a hysterectomy go through surgical menopause, regardless of age.

Men experience age-related symptoms too, but the process is different. Women have a sudden drop in hormones, while men see testosterone decline gradually over many years. This is sometimes called andropause, and like menopause it may be treated with hormone supplementation. If you are concerned, speak with an experienced Doctor.

Yes. More than two-thirds of women experience breast discomfort, mostly during perimenopause, because of hormonal changes. It can affect one or both breasts. Read more about breast pain and tenderness.

It can be. Falling oestrogen and progesterone can cause fatigue. Other causes should be ruled out too, including thyroid problems, heart disease, anxiety and depression. Read more about fatigue.

Yes, it is one of the most common symptoms. Depending on whether a woman has a history of depression, the risk of developing it during menopause ranges from about 30% higher to five times the usual risk. Read more about depression.

They may be. Hormonal headaches are linked to oestrogen changing across your cycle. Many happen just before a period, when oestrogen builds gradually and then drops suddenly as bleeding starts. Low progesterone mid-cycle may also play a part. Read more about hormonal headaches.

Yes, it is common in both perimenopause and menopause. Many women notice poorer memory and concentration, and falling oestrogen is a possible cause. Evidence suggests these problems do not continue after menopause. Read more about lack of concentration.

Studies suggest the memory and concentration problems that arise during menopause do not usually continue afterwards. Many things can affect memory, so please see a health practitioner if your symptoms get worse after menopause.

Yes. Several factors contribute, including a slower metabolism and oestrogen-related changes in where fat is stored, particularly around the abdomen. With treatment tailored to you, these symptoms should improve over time. Read more about weight gain.

Yes. Vaginal dryness, itching and pain during intercourse are common symptoms of vaginal atrophy, usually caused by falling oestrogen in perimenopause and menopause. Not every woman has the same symptoms or severity, and there are several treatment options. Read more about vaginal dryness.