Last week, the handing down of findings from the Australian Senate inquiry into menopause underscored the significant impact menopause has on the health and wellbeing of Australian women.
The report brings to light widespread issues, including the lack of information and resources available to women experiencing menopause, as well as the stigma and silence that still surrounds this important topic.
This silence is especially concerning when you consider recent research showing that women are at a higher risk of suicide during their menopausal years compared to other phases of life. This is a sobering reality that demands urgent attention.
One of the most striking conclusions from the Senate Inquiry was the need for better workplace policies and support systems for menopausal women. The overwhelming evidence shows how menopause symptoms affect women's ability to remain in the workforce.
Right now, one in five women are considering reducing their hours, leaving their jobs, or exiting the workforce entirely because of these symptoms.
As these women consider leaving the workforce, the nation faces broader economic and social challenges. The loss of these experienced workers impacts productivity, knowledge transfer, and the overall diversity of the workplace. In an era where women are actively fighting for gender equity in leadership roles, the lack of menopausal support risks pushing back progress.
The inquiry also highlights the urgent need for more comprehensive training for healthcare professionals and increased access to treatment options. This would help women manage their symptoms while continuing their careers and contributing to society.
While these findings may be considered news in the media, they come as no surprise to me or the team at Coastal Goddess. In Australia, it's estimated that around 20 percent of the population is women of menopausal age—roughly five million women. Of these, approximately 85 percent experience symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats, and mood changes. Some women face even more severe symptoms that can deeply affect their daily lives.
It was hearing about these more severe symptoms that prompted me to start Coastal Goddess three years ago this month, with our flagship treatment of Vaginal Rejuvenation. I regularly heard from women suffering from vaginal atrophy or genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which results from a significant drop in oestrogen. GSM can cause vaginal dryness, leading to crippling pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), constant itching and burning, and even involuntary urine leakage due to weakened pelvic muscles.
As the Senate inquiry findings show, not enough practitioners are educated on this topic. Many fail to ask the necessary questions and aren’t aware of treatments like our Vaginal Rejuvenation. As a result, millions of Australian women suffer in silence.
This is the same group of women who have spent the last 30-40 years dealing with painful menstruation, endometriosis, and traumatic childbirths, all while raising children and maintaining careers. I am passionate about providing these women with the quality of life they deserve after years of selfless contributions to their families and society—it’s nothing short of heroic.
It saddens me to think we even needed a Senate inquiry into menopause, given that it impacts 50 percent of the population. But just as with the National Inquiry into Endometriosis in 2020, it seems to be the only way to shed light on women’s health issues. Coastal Goddess has been trying to keep the conversation going about these matters, through platforms like our Intimate Health Month Survey and findings in June this year, but a much broader approach is needed.
I sincerely hope the 25 key recommendations delivered to the Government today are adopted. A plan is only as good as its execution.
Until those changes take effect, I want to remind our followers and the broader community that we are here to help with the debilitating symptoms of vaginal atrophy. I am personally available to speak with patients in a safe, supportive environment and walk them through our Vaginal Rejuvenation procedure.
I am so passionate about making this treatment accessible (as it currently receives no Government subsidy) that I’ve recently reduced the price, ensuring it’s available to the women who truly need it. I never want financial constraints to be a barrier to improving women’s intimate health. At Coastal Goddess, we have Afterpay and Zippay payment platforms to ease financial pressure, and I am able to work with underprivileged women on compassionate grounds.
If you are suffering from the effects of vaginal atrophy, dryness or urinary incontinence, we would love to support you in improving your overall quality of life. Please feel free to call the clinic, where our caring team will assist you with sensitivity and professionalism.
Dr. Kelly Needham
Founder and Owner,
Coastal Goddess
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