About the service
The WNSWLHD Specialist Menopause Service aims to provide help and support for women experiencing symptoms that have not responded to previous treatments, or those who face additional complications from other medical conditions.
General Practitioners (GPs) have and continue to be a trusted first point of contact for people experiencing symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. However, if further care is needed the Specialist Menopause Service can provide support and expert advice on:
- managing severe and complex symptoms of menopause
- bone health for the management of osteoporosis and to prevent fractures
- lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke
- supporting mental health and wellbeing
- management of weight and lifestyle
- managing urinary problems.
What to expect from the service
The WNSWLHD service is networked with the South-Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Specialist Menopause Hub Service as part of NSW Health’s state-wide Menopause Network, which has four hubs and multiple referral sites across the state.
The WNSWLHD Specialist Menopause Service is a referral service, with a care co-ordinator assessing and triaging patient referrals and helping patients to navigate care locally. The service also assists with additional referrals as needed, to a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists, nursing, and allied health professionals (including women’s health nurses, physiotherapists, and dietitians) both locally and through the SWSLHS Hub.
The service aims to be inclusive and culturally safe for all women and uses a person-centred approach to care, so women can understand and be actively involved in decision making for their care.
The WNSWLHD service will usually provide care virtually, either using phone or online appointments, however occasional face-to-face consultations will be available if required, to meet individual patient needs. Any services offered by the SWSLHD Hub will be 100% virtual.
Eligibility criteria
When women experience severe and/or complex menopausal symptoms it can have a big impact on both their quality of life and health, including heart and bone related issues. For these women, more expert advice, direction and treatment options from the Specialist Menopause Service can help.
To access this service women need to meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria:
- Experience perimenopause/menopause symptoms before the age of 40
- Experience perimenopause/menopausal symptoms after the age of 40 but also have a history of any of the following medical conditions:
- Cardiovascular (heart) disease or stroke
- Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) or known thrombo-embolic disease
- Cancer (current or past history or genetic risk of breast/gynaecological cancer)
- Migraine with aura
- Symptoms of menopause not improved 6-8 weeks after initiating therapy
- Acute liver disease
- High risk of fracture or history of minimal trauma fracture
How to refer
General practitioners, medical specialists and nurse practitioners can refer eligible women to the WNSWLHD Specialist Menopause Service for advanced care.
Referral forms are available either in your medical practice software or from the HealthPathways - Western NSW PHN website.
Completed referral forms should be sent via secure software to WNSWLHD-SpecialisedMenopauseReferralService@health.nsw.gov.au