News
5 August, 2024
Research aims to improve treatment for women
IMPROVED support and treatment for women experiencing serious physical and/or mental symptoms during menopause is the goal of innovative Monash University research.
IMPROVED support and treatment for women experiencing serious physical and/or mental symptoms during menopause is the goal of innovative Monash University research.
The cutting-edge program is assessing hormone level changes, the impact of menopause, and the possible benefits of testosterone treatment for issues like muscle deterioration and early heart failure.
Professor Susan Davis, who heads the Monash University Women’s Health Research Program in the School of Public Health and Preventive medicine, is leading the four studies.
“The testosterone changes across midlife and the menopause have never been documented with accuracy or precision,” Professor Davis said.
“Despite menopause affecting 51 per cent of the population, these hormone changes at menopause remain uncertain.”
Professor Davis, who developed the Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing the Menopause, said the world-first Menopause Matters: The Australian Women’s Midlife Years (AMY) Study will provide critical information for healthcare providers and policy makers. The project has surveyed more than 8000 women aged 40-69 about menopause, their mood and wellbeing, sexual function, and paid and unpaid work. The results will provide pivotal information about how women experience menopause today, with the goal of improving women’s health and wellbeing, but needs more funding for the work to be completed.
“The findings will have a major socioeconomic impact beyond women’s health,” Professor Davis said. “It will enable workplace policies or amendments pertaining to female workers to be formulated based on sound information, such that outdated perceptions and/or negative social attitudes about menopausal women are not reinforced.
www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/units/womenshealth/research/the-australian-womens-midlife-years-amy-study
