The Members Connect Series will provide a platform for women to engage in discussions concerning industry trends and pioneering programs, offering them unique insights and opportunities. The aim is to advance the careers of women and increase female participation in the sector.

Founder and Director of Franklin Women, Dr Melina Georgousakis says that members of Franklin Women bring diverse experiences and skills to the sector, so bringing them together through the Members Connect Series is a special opportunity. 

“By connecting these women outside of their day-to-day and linking them with innovative ecosystem partners, we are facilitating opportunities for them to thrive,” she said. 

Franklin Womn is a leading social enterprise championing women in the health and medical research fields.

The inaugural Members Connect event will be hosted by Organon, a the only global healthcare company of its size focused primarily on the health and wellbeing of women, at their Sydney office.

Managing Director of Organon ANZ, Nirelle Tolstoshev, says that the global healthcare company believes in this series’ ability to “drive real change” by investing in women in the sector. 

“Just 34 per cent of CEO and Head of Organisation roles in our biopharmaceutical sector are held by women – and whilst women tend to be well represented in middle management, they seem to be passed over for more senior opportunities,” says Tolstoshev. 

“At Organon, we believe that by investing in the bright pipeline of innovators and empowering these women through collaborations such as these, we can drive real change in this area.”

Following the Federal Government’s Senate Inquiry into Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and the recent announcement of an Australian-first inquiry into women’s pain in Victoria, the initiative’s goal to support women in the health and medical research sector is particularly critical. 

The Members Connect meetups are free to attend, and those who participate will be able to contribute to emerging women’s health priorities. Franklin Women and Organon say the events will “be instrumental in breaking down silos between different stakeholders and contributing to the improvement of health outcomes in communities”.

Interested members can register for Members Connect meetups here. 

The post Franklin Women and Organon launch meet up series for women in health and science appeared first on Women's Agenda.

“I had no concept of what any of that would mean, but I just held onto those goals,” says Steele, who can now boast a remarkable 13-year swimming career, with the titles of Paralympian and gold medalist under her belt. 

“We forget that we have this power within us to decide what it is that we want to have in our lives,” says Steele.

Connecting to this power from a young age, Steele won her first gold medal in competitive swimming at just 14. Then, at age 17, she represented Australia for the first time at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics in the 400-metre freestyle, breaking a national record. 

Steele was born with a congenital disability called Arthrogryposis, which affects the range of motion in the joints and impacts the cartilage in the body. She also developed Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) in the womb, affecting the shape of both her hands. 

“Sport has been everything,” says Steele. “It has shaped me. It has shaped how I react to things, and how I have managed my disability.”

“We create our own reality,” she says. 

“Things are always going to happen in your life, but it’s how you react to those things. And so when I was a kid – and when I was early in my swimming career – I would react in a way that was like a victim because the world was telling me I was a victim. But then I realised I could change that narrative and go ‘well, you might see me like that, but I don’t see myself like that’.”

Throughout her swimming career, Steele has represented Australia internationally five times, including at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics. She’s also been captain of a number of Aussie swimming teams and held a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship for eight years. 

After swimming, Steele took up wheelchair rugby. She was the only woman to be selected to play for Victoria at a national level. 

Today, Steele is an award-winning sportswoman, experienced personal coach and motivational speaker, who works in the personal development space as The Self Belief Agent. 

She’s also the Project Manager for the ‘Building Inclusive Sport Clubs’ program to promote the access and inclusion of people with disabilities in sporting clubs across Australia, working with Disability Sport Australia.

Recently, Steele was selected by the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation to become a Change Our Game ambassador. Steele is joined by seven other inspiring women in this movement to raise awareness on key issues in women’s sport. 

Steele is using this advocacy platform to create equitable change for all people with disabilities in sport. 

Emphasising the importance of her role with the Change Our Game movement, Steele says she’s proud that she and the other ambassadors have a direct opportunity to help other people feel the positive, life-changing aspects of sport that they’ve experienced. 

She says they’re able to do this “by breaking down inclusion and access issues and being able to share our expertise and make it easier for people to access the sports that they want to play.”

Looking back at her own sporting career, Steele can see clearly the changes she wished had been in place when she was competing at such a high level. These are the changes she’s working to implement for the next generation. 

And while there are some days where this change might feel impossible, Steele remains optimistic about the future.

“There are going to be days when you feel like you’re hitting your head against a brick wall,” she says. “And on those days, you just need to go for a walk or a swim in the ocean.”

“We’re not going to change the world in 24 hours because there’s so many different ways that people view women and sport and disability.” 

“We’ve all got our own perceptions or ideals of how people are meant to behave, but sometimes we need to put them aside for a bit so we can learn from other people,” she adds. 

“It’s okay if you just go, and take a deep breath, and start again.”

Change Our Game Ambassadors are using their platforms to help drive change and raise awareness on key issues and barriers for women in sport. Change Our Game is led by the Office of Women in Sport and Recreation to level the playing field for women and girls. Be sure to follow the Ambassadors’ journeys through @ChangeOurGame on socials.

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“I remember a patient once said to me that her fertility and having children was never important to her. She never really even thought she’d become a mother, but having the threat of that option taken away from her was actually quite distressing,” says A/Prof Michelle Peate, the Program Leader for the Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing Research (emPoWeR) Unit, University of Melbourne. 

Around 4000 women in Australia and 440 women in New Zealand are diagnosed with breast cancer each year who are under the age of 45. Some treatments for breast cancer, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, may induce premature menopause and can reduce a woman’s chance of having children in the future.

While treatments can affect each person differently, it’s important to discuss fertility options with a breast cancer or fertility specialist as soon as possible. 

Dr Peate says that once breast cancer treatment begins, there can be irreversible damage to fertility, so “it’s really important to have those discussions early and give people all the options so they can make an informed choice.”

“My perspective is a lot about giving everyone the information they need to make the right choice for themselves, which may be to preserve and freeze embryos or eggs, or it may be about making sure they all know that there’s a risk and know that there are options available to them,” she says.  

Whether or not you’ve had children, are single or in a relationship or haven’t thought much about family planning, Dr Peate recommends talking to your doctors about your fertility options. 

“And if the doctor is not able to provide that information, find another doctor who will,” she says. “Just make sure you have an informed decision.”

Values-driven options

One resource that might be useful for breast cancer patients is a ‘decision aid’, such as booklets or websites that contain information to help inform on fertility preservation options and the impact of cancer on fertility. 

An advocate for value-driven decisions, Dr Peate was one of the first people in the world to incorporate this aspect into a fertility decision aid.

“What’s the right thing to do really comes down to what’s important to the individual’s values,” she says. “So our decision aid always has at the end this thing called a ‘values clarification exercise’.”

Some examples of values-driven options that a fertility decision aid might give include whether it’s important for the patient that their children are biologically related to them. If so, then Dr Peate says looking into fertility preservation options may be right for that patient, to preserve that genetic link. Whereas, if adoption appeals to the patient, then it might be less important to consider those fertility preservation options. 

Through her research, Dr Peate says she and her team proved that decision aids with values-driven options “resulted in improved decision outcomes.”

“Women were more satisfied with their decision,” she says. “They did have less regret, as they were making choices consistent with their values.” 

POEMS Trial

Research into fertility options for breast cancer patients has been quickly evolving. One innovative, new treatment option for young women with breast cancer has emerged from the POEMS clinical trial, to better preserve fertility during chemotherapy. 

POEMS, which stands for Prevention of Early Menopause Study, was conducted in Australia and New Zealand by Breast Cancer Trials and globally by the SouthWest Oncology Group (USA).  

One of Australia’s most prominent research-orientated cancer surgeons, Professor Christobel Saunders says she’s excited about the POEMS trials results as it showed “it was safe to interrupt hormone therapy after about 18 months to try to become pregnant.”

“This is very important for women with ER positive breast cancer who may be looking at 10 years of treatment and very diminished fertility at the end of this,” says Professor Saunders. 

“This trial looked at how Zoladex may protect ovaries during chemo. Thanks to the trial and the women who participated, this is now standard of care and has allowed many women to maintain their ovarian function after chemo.”

Clinical trials such as POEMS can offer the best possible treatment and care to patients, says Professor Saunders, who encourages women with breast cancer to consider joining one to further their knowledge and help the next generation of patients. 

“We know those in trials–and even those managed in centres that run trials– have better outcomes,” she says.

Join Breast Cancer Trials’ next free and online Q&A, happening Tuesday 20 February from 5-6:30pm (AEDT). The session will be moderated by author and journalist Annabel Crabb on the topic of breast cancer and fertility. To register click here.

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“It just felt like being vulnerable was going to be able to help people, and I did not expect that once I would share my story (publicly), just how many people would resonate,” she said.

When it went public, the blog quickly amassed a dedicated following, which Sepel expertly grew even further, securing a book deal, creating JSHealth programs, a smartphone app, along with her most popular venture: JSHealth Vitamins. 

Sepel says her is a passion for nutrition and helping others has always guided her business decisions.

“Being authentic and vulnerable is always a good thing,” she says. “People just love and appreciate it. Don’t overthink it because you can’t really plan for the journey of businesses, as it just sort of happens how it’s meant to.” 

Sepel is the latest to feature in our How I Manage My Health series, examining how dynamic women from different career backgrounds manage their physical and mental health.

Read Jessica Sepel’s full “How I Manage My Health” profile below, and see other women profiled in this series here.

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What’s one key thing you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?

As a customer-first company, the goal for us is to make JSHealth Vitamins the most trusted wellness brand in the world and to help as many people as we possibly can to thrive. That was the goal from day one, and how it remains, so I’m incredibly excited about our recent expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, with our first step being in Singapore through Watsons. This expansion marks a new chapter for us as we continue our mission to support our community on their wellness journeys, around the globe. 

Singapore is a place known for its dynamic lifestyle and health-conscious citizens, making it an ideal starting point. Partnering with Watsons, a leading health and beauty retailer there, allows us to reach more people and provide them with the tools they need to nourish their bodies and minds, both inside and out.

The excitement behind this expansion isn’t about business growth for me, but about bringing our message of balanced, sustainable wellness to more and more people.. It’s about sharing the power of wholesome nutrition and self-care routines, and helping individuals around the world to feel their best – that’s the JSHealth way.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with and learn from diverse cultures. As we progress, I look forward to seeing how our JSHealth community in the Asia-Pacific region evolves and grows.

What does your morning routine typically look like? 

I always start the day on a positive note – it has such a powerful ripple effect on my whole day ahead.  Each morning I’ll wake up around 7.30am to have 7-8 hours sleep daily. I continue my technology ban from the evening (I switch off around 8pm each night) – no checking of social media, texts or emails –  until after I’ve been awake for at least 30-40 minutes and practised my wholesome morning routine.

I love to begin with a 30-minute workout from the JSHealth App, followed by a piccolo coffee, and a 10 minute meditation practice, and then I get ready for work. I usually eat breakfast once I get to the office. At the moment, I love fuelling my body with the JSHealth Power Protein Smoothie or my current obsession, a quick and easy-to-make bowl of oats – my Banana Bread Overnight Oats!

Do you have any top tips for staying focused on key tasks? 

Running a business can get overwhelming, so I’m a big  believer in the power of prioritising. Each day, I identify the top three tasks that align with my goals and commit to completing them. This keeps me focused and prevents me from becoming stressed out by a long to-do list.

I also practise mindfulness. Being present in each task, rather than thinking about the next thing on my list, increases my productivity and the quality of my work. It also reduces stress and enhances creativity, which is really important for me when I am working on developing new formulas – my primary focus at JSHealth. For this process I need the mental space to connect with what my community needs for their health, delve into the research of ingredients and work intuitively with all of this and my wellness knowledge in order to create products that stand out and deliver.

Also, taking regular breaks is essential. This may seem counterintuitive when you’re busy, but research shows that short breaks can significantly improve focus and productivity. I usually step away from my desk, do some stretches or practise a quick 10-minute meditation from the JSHealth App. 

Do you have a framework or key rules or procedures for organising your day? 

I never use the word ‘rules’ as to me it sounds too rigid, and I’ve learned that we need to maintain the ability to be flexible in all areas of our wellness, including a healthy work routine. However, daily structure is key for me to stay organised and productive, especially when the days get very busy! I start off the day on a strong note with my morning routine – that’s a non-negotiable. 

Due to my varied schedule, days do often look a little different, but I like to check in with my plan and prioritise or plan anything needed. During the day, I always make sure to schedule breaks and personal time. It’s essential for maintaining balance and avoiding burnout! 

Having a routine is important and flexibility is key. Some days will be unpredictable, and that’s okay. The goal is to have a framework that helps you manage your day effectively – but always be kind to yourself if things don’t go exactly as planned. 

Once the day wraps, I look forward to cooking a JSHealth dinner and spending time with my hubby Dean (our night walks are my favourite time of day) so that I can recharge and do it all again tomorrow! This is a really important part of my daily framework, outside of “work hours”.

Can you share a time when your work really tested or even harmed your health and wellbeing? 

Building a business can be incredibly tough and demanding. When you accept this fact, it actually gets easier to prioritise your own wellbeing as part of the process, rather than an afterthought.

It will be even more challenging when you build a brand based on care for your customers, as your natural inclination is to put their needs first. However, it’s essential to remember that you can serve others more effectively when you are at your best, both physically and mentally.

On the journey, there have definitely been times when certain aspects of my work have encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. Team management is the ultimate test, especially with an ever-growing global team ! I am so committed to a healthy work culture, so constantly being aware of this and managing personalities has previously been a challenge for my husband and I in the past. As with all things in life, challenges are opportunities for growth. We’ve learned so much from these experiences and have taken proactive steps to create a really vibrant company culture – we are more like a family! Today, I’m proud to say that our work environment is the most positive and supportive it’s ever been.

How do you stay active?

20 minutes a day of movement is my foundation! I believe in listening to your body – it knows what it needs. You don’t have to push yourself through exhausting workouts. 

Find a form of movement that you genuinely enjoy and commit to it. I used to force myself through workouts, motivated by wanting to look a certain way. These days I only workout in ways that I love…to FEEL good – with a kind, compassionate and gentle approach. This is what we call ‘body kindness’- it’s the JSHealth way.

The JSHealth App offers quick and easy workouts that can fit into anyone’s schedule, no matter how busy. You can do them from the comfort of your home, or even your office – which is where you’ll often find me squeezing in a workout! 

Can you share a key thing you regularly do (or aspire to do more) that really supports your wellbeing?

Gratitude: it may sound cliche, but giving thanks has become an important part of my daily routine, especially after experiencing a mental health crisis over the past two years.

During that challenging time, my perspective on life changed drastically. I found myself longing for peace of mind and appreciating the simple things in life that I previously took for granted. Today, I make it a point to express gratitude for my health, my husband and my loved ones.

Practising gratitude doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be as simple as taking a moment each day to acknowledge what you’re thankful for. For me, this short daily practice has had a profound impact. It serves as a reminder of the good in my life, helps to keep things in perspective, and nurtures a positive mindset.

How do you manage your health when working remotely or from home?

Working remotely or from home has its unique challenges, but it also provides opportunities to care for your wellbeing.

For me, it allows for more quality time with my loved ones, which is incredibly nurturing for the soul. I also make use of the flexibility to engage in workouts that I genuinely enjoy, whether that’s a yoga class, a swim in the ocean or simply taking a mindful walk.

Cooking at home is another advantage. I love preparing delicious, nutritious meals from the JSHealth App. The process of cooking and eating wholesome food can be deeply satisfying and beneficial for overall health.

Working from home also provides a break from social pressures and comparisons, which can often lead to stress. Embracing the slower pace of life and learning to say ‘no’ when necessary are vital parts of self-care and living the Healthy Life. 

Finally, effective stress management is key. For me, this involves daily practices like deep belly breathing or resting with my legs up against a wall. These simple techniques help me unwind, reset and maintain a calm and steady mind amidst the busy schedule!

Considering you’re so present in the health and wellness space, has there been a  particular piece of health advice you always find yourself coming back to?

The most important lesson I’ve learned and find myself coming back to, especially on a personal level, is the importance of prioritising my mental health so I can show up for my business and my community as my absolute best. Something that’s been integral to this is creating self-care rituals, such as switching off from social media every night by 8 pm, moving my body each day in ways that I love, and nourishing myself with wholesome foods. 

The other one is advice from my grandma that I’ve really learned to be true – “Keep boxing” as she says. I have this phrase all through my head during the harder days of building a business. You just have to keep boxing, and you will go far.

What do you want more women to know about their health?

In my journey as a nutritionist and through building the JSHealth community, I’ve had the privilege of hearing countless women share their health concerns. From digestion issues, skin problems, hair health, bloating, anxiety, mood imbalances to sleep disturbances – these are common issues that many women face.

Women must know they are not alone with any of their health concerns. I want women to know they have our support through JSHealth and JSHealth Vitamins.

JSHealth Vitamins came about purely as a way to help support my clients and community’s health and wellbeing. Our goal is that our solution-focused vitamins will give women the confidence and comfort they deserve for a broad range of health concerns. Some of our top women’s targeted supplements at JSHealth Vitamins include Hormone + PMS Support, Vaginal Probiotic+, Menopause+, Detox + Debloat, PM+ Sleep Formula, Skin + Digestion and Hair + Energy.

What I want more women to understand is the importance of letting go of fad dieting and embracing a balanced approach to eating. Being “healthy” doesn’t come from deprivation or restriction, but from balance and kindness towards ourselves. Practising body love daily and building a nourishing, positive relationship with food works for the long haul. The JSHealth way is a wellness philosophy so sustainable, enjoyable and result-driven that it will last a lifetime!

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Sonia Martin MACN, a Registered Nurse with 30 years of experience and the founder of One Bridge, has been appointed to Chair the faculty.

The Street Health Faculty will help some of the most vulnerable populations in the community.

“The Faculty will be a dynamic nurse-led network committed to serving the specific health needs of people who are marginalised and disadvantaged, many of whom have no choice but to try to survive living on the streets,” said ACN CEO, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN.

“They cannot get to the health services they need, so the health services must go to them – and nurses are actively working in this space.

“We are fortunate to have Sonia Martin on board to lead this Faculty. She knows the sector. She knows the streets. She knows the solutions.”

Martin is the recipient of the 2021 Health Minister’s Nursing Trailblazer Award, as well as  The Dr Dorothea Sandars and Irene Lee Churchill Fellowship in 2022. In 2023, she conducted research that informed her ongoing advocacy for policy change in Australia and championing equitable healthcare access. 

In 2022, Martin was also awarded the National Outstanding Leadership Award in Entrepreneurship.

Martin said the establishment of the new street health faculty at the Australian College of Nursing aligns with the global inclusion health agenda and it will contribute to improving health and social inequities.

“We want to fully understand the landscape of nursing in this sector in Australia, identify current needs, and uncover barriers these groups face,” Martin said.

“This will inform our priorities and guide our next steps in education, advocacy, and policy development.”

Adjunct Professor Ward said the faculty would help attract nurses who want to contribute in socially positive ways. 

“It is a strategic move to foster inclusivity, equity, innovation, and leadership in nursing and health care,” she said. 

“ACN will be actively promoting the new Faculty across the profession to attract nurses who want to contribute to this exciting and worthwhile initiative.”

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This frightening information comes from a new peer-reviewed study published on Wednesday in the medical journal JAMA.  

The study estimates that the rapes resulting in the staggering number of pregnancies occurred between July 1, 2022 and January 2024, in states where abortion has been almost completely banned. 

Out of the nearly 65,000 pregnancies, its estimated more than 5,500 occurred in states with rape exceptions and nearly 59,000 are estimated for states without exceptions.

Researchers found that more than 26,000 rape-caused pregnancies likely took place in Texas alone. 

In the states with rape exceptions for abortions – Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, West Virginia and North Dakota – survivors are required to report crimes to police in order to access abortion services. Research from 2022 has shown only 21 per cent of victim-survivors do so. 

“Thousands of girls and women in states that banned abortion experienced rape-related pregnancy, but few (if any) obtained in-state abortions legally, suggesting that rape exceptions fail to provide reasonable access to abortion for survivors,” researchers concluded.

“Survivors of rape who become pregnant in states with abortion bans may seek a self-managed abortion or try to travel (often hundreds of miles) to a state where abortion is legal, leaving many without a practical alternative to carrying the pregnancy to term.”

The Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling ended the constitutional right to abortion across America that the landmark Roe v. Wade 1973 ruling guaranteed. 

“Highly stigmatized life events are hard to measure. And many survivors of sexual violence do not want to disclose that they went through this incredibly stigmatizing traumatic life event,” said Samuel Dickman, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of Montana, who led the latest study. 

“We will never know the true number of survivors of rape and sexual assault in the U.S.”

Data collection 

Researchers calculated the findings by combining data from multiple sources, including national data from a U.S Ceners for Disease Control and Prevention survey on intimate partner sexual violence from 2016 to 2017. 

The researchers also used a Bureau of Justice Statistics survey on criminal victimization to help determine the number of completed vaginal rapes among girls and women of reproductive age (defined as 15 to 45 years old). State-level rape estimates came from FBI crime reports as state-level data wasn’t available.

Considering that stigma and fear prevents many people from reporting rapes and sexual assaults, the authors noted that the numbers could be lower than reality.

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The change is one of the promises made by President Emmanuel Macron last year and is the first step in a legislative process that will still require a vote in the Senate in order to be passed. 

On Tuesday night, the French National Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of amending Article 34 of France’s constitution to include that “the law determines the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed.”

“Tonight, the National Assembly and the government did not miss their rendez-vous with women’s history,” Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said.

Macron’s government is aiming to get the constitutional amendment passed by both chambers of parliament before getting it approved by all legislators in three-fifths majority of a joint session of parliament. 

In October, the French president said that his government would aim to make abortion rights constitutional by the end of the year. “In 2024, the right of women to choose abortion will become irreversible,” he wrote on his socials. 

A 2022 opinion poll from France showed that 89 per cent of respondents wanted abortion rights to be legislated under the constitution.

Earlier this month, an anti-abortion “March for Life” rally took place in Paris, with numbers soaring to 15,000, according to the organisers. 

Abortion in France was decriminalised over half a century ago, however there remains nothing in the constitution that guarantees abortion rights. If the latest constitutional amendments is passed, France will have a vastly superior approach to women’s reproductive rights compared to its surrounding countries: in Poland, pregnancies can only be legally aborted in cases of rape, incest or a threat to the mother’s health or life. Even in cases of severe fetal deformities, the Polish constitutional court ruled that women are not allowed to access abortion. 

In 2022, Hungry’s far-right government tightened abortion access, requiring women to “listen to the foetal heartbeat” before they can access the procedure. 

In Italy, a group of anti-abortion organisations have sought to enshrine a similar rule, collecting over 106,000 signatures in December in an attempt to force women to listen to the ‘foetal heartbeat’ before undergoing the procedure.

The post France’s National Assembly votes to enshrine abortion rights in constitution appeared first on Women's Agenda.

Menopause and perimenopause are another case in point. Time after time, I hear from women that they simply aren’t being heard, and their concerns just aren’t being taken seriously enough. And while menopause and perimenopause of course don’t impact every woman in the same way, for too many women, they can have a really big impact on their lives, work, relationships, and study.  

The 2023 National Women’s Health Survey found that of women aged 45-64 who had been bothered by menopause or menopausal symptoms in the past 5 years, 27 per cent of them had taken an extended break from work, study or exercise.

Those extended breaks have a huge economic and social impact. Menopause could currently be costing Australian women a collective $15.2 billion in foregone income and super for every year of early retirement, according to the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees.

This amounts to an economic loss of $112.2 billion over an average 7.4 years of missed earning opportunity. Menopause is creating yawning chasms in the economy, workplace inclusion, and the gender pay gap. And this is only the financial impact – we haven’t even touched on the physical, mental, social and wellbeing impacts for women.

We need a public conversation about menopause so that governments, employers and other institutions can advance the right policy responses that women need. Health, economic, and social policies that will benefit not just women, but our entire Australian community. 

That’s why I’ve been passionate in my efforts to co-sponsor the Senate’s inquiry into menopause and perimenopause. It’s time to bring the reality of women’s health into the spotlight in a way where women’s voices and experiences can no longer be ignored.

The Senate Community Affairs References Committee will spend the next 9 months delving into the issues related to menopause and perimenopause. It’s my hope that this inquiry will help shine a light on these issues, spark a louder public conversation, and lead to meaningful policy responses that will make a real difference – in women’s lives, and in their health outcomes.

More specifically, the Senate inquiry will consider:

• The economic consequences of menopause and perimenopause, including workforce participation, productivity, and retirement planning;
• Physical health impacts, including symptoms, associated medical conditions, and access to healthcare services;
• The mental and emotional wellbeing of individuals experiencing menopause and perimenopause, considering issues like mental health, self-esteem, and social support;
• The impacts on caregiving responsibilities, family dynamics, and relationships;
• Cultural and societal factors influencing perceptions and attitudes towards menopause and perimenopause, including within culturally and linguistically diverse communities and women’s business in First Nations communities;
• Levels of awareness amongst medical professionals and patients of symptoms and treatments, including affordability and availability;
• The level of awareness amongst employers and workers of the symptoms, and the awareness, availability, and usage of workplace supports;
• Existing Commonwealth, state and territory government policies, programs, and healthcare initiatives addressing menopause and perimenopause; and,
• How other jurisdictions support individuals experiencing menopause and perimenopause from a health and workplace policy perspective.

It’s well past time to change the narrative. To end the stigma and discrimination that can keep this issue in the dark. It’s time to validate the experiences of women in speaking up about our unique health needs.

The only way we can understand the reality of menopause and perimenopause in Australia, is to hear about the many different experiences of Australian women.

This inquiry will hear from doctors, academics, researchers, and advocates. But we need to hear hundreds of stories about the hundreds of ways menopause and perimenopause have impacted women’s lives, health, careers, wellbeing, families.

If we don’t talk about things, we can’t expect them to change. Raise your voices, ladies.

It’s time to spark the conversations that will spark change.

It’s time for women to be heard in a way that matters.

It’s time for women to share their stories. I encourage you to share yours.

Submissions to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry, Issues related to menopause and perimenopause, are sought by 16 February 2024.

Individuals and organisations are encouraged to share their opinions and proposals in writing by addressing responses to the inquiry’s terms of reference. Submissions can be uploaded at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause

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The Long Story Short project collects real stories from women in rural and regional areas to be shared by actors in a series of videos. It’s an initiative put on by Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE) as well as Women’s Health Lodden Mallee (WHLM) in rural and regional Victoria.

Formerly called “Storylines”, the multi-year project aiming to reshape the narratives of women’s sexual and reproductive health.   

“Some years ago, I started experiencing some worrying symptoms,” says one of the women in the project’s videos.

“Even though my first thought had been menopause, I dismissed it almost immediately. I was only 39 at the time and my admittedly limited understanding was that menopause didn’t hit until your late 40s or into your 50s.” 

The woman in the video goes on to explain that her doctor diagnosed her with perimenopause– something she’d never heard of before but felt grateful to have learned about through a supportive doctor.

“I wish the story ended there,” she says next.  “I’d been at my job for over three years and thought I had a really good relationship with my employers. But they were not sympathetic at all when I requested lighter duties or time off.”

“I feel like a better understanding of women’s health is needed, especially around taboo subjects like perimenopause and menopause.”

The woman’s story is only one among the many videos included in the Long Story Short Project and the group has a submission form on its website where more women and gender diverse people can share their experiences and perspectives. 

The organisations (WHGNE and WHLM) will then use the data provided to “better understand women’s experiences and more effectively advocate for sexual and reproductive health services and information that is rights-based and provided to women in a way that is nonjudgmental, easily understood, culturally sensitive, free from discrimination, affordable, geographically accessible, and sex positive.”

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Despite this increased risk, new research published in the Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP)’s Internal Medicine Journal has found that nearly half (48.2 per cent) of these women aren’t being adequately screened for the conditions in the years following childbirth.

“It is important to understand that early detection and proper management can help ensure that severe and long-term risks associated with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are mitigated,” said one of the study’s lead researchers, Simone Marschner, a Senior Research Fellow at the Westmead Applied Research Centre.

“A failure to identify the presence of these risk factors early and implement the proper management strategies can lead to women experiencing serious heart problems and other complications of diabetes, which could have been prevented.”

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 19 per cent of all pregnant women experience gestational diabetes, which significantly increases their risk of developing cardiovascular (heart) disease and diabetes after giving birth. 

Researchers from the University of Sydney examined the medical records of over 10,413 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes over a four-year period post-childbirth. 

They found that only 51.8 per cent were assessed for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Along with this, 29.4 per cent were not assessed for diabetes, and 37.4 per cent were not assessed for high cholesterol. 

“These findings reveal that many women with a heightened risk of developing serious medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are not receiving adequate screening and hence preventative management,” said Marschner.

“There must also be greater efforts taken at public health messaging by governments at all levels, to help ensure that the instances of potential underdiagnosis are reduced to the minimum possible level.”

Women already have a greater risk of heart attack than men due to established risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking and high blood pressure. Conditions such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, premature menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome, can increase CVD risk as well.

Over 1 million women in Australia are living with cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet it remains underdiagnosed, under-treated, and under-researched in women. 

“It is imperative that physicians across the country, especially ones tending to post-partum women, recognise the vital importance of adequate screening,” said Marschner.

“We must all do our part in ensuring that women across Australia receive the medical care and attention they deserve.”

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The WNBL is the only professional league in Australia that has a round dedicated to fighting period poverty, with players speaking out about how we can normalise conversations about periods and ensure everyone who needs to can access period products.

In 2021, a survey of 125,000 Australians found that more than 1 in 5 people who menstruate have had to improvise on period products due to the cost.

This year, the WNBL Fighting Period Poverty round runs from January 24 to January 31 and is supported by Boody and Cygnett, raising funds for period charity Share the Dignity. 

Captain of the Southside Flyers Bec Cole said it was imperative we all get more comfortable talking about periods and encouraged men to take part in the conversation. 

“We shouldn’t feel embarrassed by our periods. The more we speak about it, the more comfortable it’ll be,’ Cole said. 

“It’s also so important that our male colleagues are open to talking about it too and feel comfortable lending a hand if something happens to one of the girls on the team when she’s on her cycle — for example a leak. I do think we’re on the right track to breaking those barriers.” 

Meanwhile, Melbourne Boomers squad member Jordin Canada wants to raise awareness of how the menstrual cycle can affect female athletes. 

“People don’t understand how challenging it is to play sport when have your period,” Canada said. “Sometimes it’s hard to even get up in the morning and you have to compete to the best of your abilities.”

“Accessibility to menstruation products is a huge issue, and highlighting that is important, but it’s also important to simply normalise talking about periods,” said Kelsey Griffin, a three-time WNBL MVP recipient.

“Each cycle experience is unique so you don’t know what someone may be going through. For me, it’s cramps and brain fog that impact me most.”

During the round, WNBL players will wear themed t-shirts in their warm-ups and wear ‘Bloody Good Socks’. Both items are available for purchase with all funds raised going to Share the Dignity

Head of WNBL, Christy Collier-Hill also encouraged fans of the game to donate sanitary products when attending a game.

“As a women’s league, it’s important we support issues that affect women and girls, and we’re really proud to be working with Share the Dignity, with support from Boody and Cygnett, to positively impact period poverty in Australia,” Collier-Hill said.

“As well as raising awareness of the issue, we will have collection bins at every game during the round, and we encourage all our fans to bring sanitary products to the games to donate to this wonderful cause.

“If you can’t make it to a game, grab a pair of Bloody Good Socks, or buy period undies from Boody – both will help make an impact for women and girls in need.”

 The WNBL has also announced the installation of the first dignity vending machine in South Australia, which has been facilitated from money raised from last season’s Fighting Period Poverty Round.

Feature Image: Bec Cole.

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No, I haven’t been scanning Finnish newspapers or mixing reality with an episode of Succession. 

Rather, I’ve engaged in reading about the morning routines of Australian businesspeople. It makes for classic, voyeuristic reading, once you move past any personal frustration about how your own care responsibilities would make replicating such routines impossible.

I learned about the sauna business meeting from an Australian executive quoted in the Australian Financial Review this week, who shared that his morning routine includes a 5:30am walk with his toddler (great) before getting a coffee, returning the kid home to his wife, going for a 5km run and then having a sauna and an ice bath. Five days a week. 

This executive then shared that clients are increasingly moving on from dinners as the norm for business meetings and are taking the option to go for a walk (great idea), or actually go for a 7am sauna and ice bath. And so a few days a week, this executives shares his sauna and ice bathing experiences with others, while they talk through ideas.

Baffled by this and a little alarmed at the thought of being invited to a meeting in a sauna, I did a quick search for evidence of saunas and ice baths being a common place for business meetings outside of Finland.

It’s possible the COVID-19 pandemic put a swift end to any emerging trend, particularly for startups in Scandinavia, where in 2019 calls were made by women in the startup community for tech events to “stay away” from including saunas until the lack of diversity in tech was sorted. In 2012, the Financial Times shared an explainer on the etiquette of sauna networking in Finland, noting that “full nudity is particularly important if you are with business contacts”. Good to know. In 2023, an Australian-based sauna business offered a guide for business owners on creating the best possible setting for meeting and bonding activities, incorporating photos of attractive women wearing nothing but towels. 

Business meetings in saunas before breakfast are not the ideal morning routine for everyone. Nor are routines that include journalling, complex teamaking, lifting weights, hanging from the pullup bar for three minutes, or even having just one minute to yourself in the morning.

Other routines shared by the business press these past few weeks include that of AICD director Mark Rigotti, who swims three kilometres (three kilometres!) every morning. Carla Zampatti CEO Alex Schuman says his morning routine is “entirely based around coffee”. Westpac digital strategy head Jessica Hallett says she likes an early morning walking meeting or coffee with a colleague. David Donnoli from Swisse Wellness had a refreshing take — he wakes before his kids so he can jump on his phone to check social media for ten minutes. Then he gets up and makes breakfast for the entire family – well everyone but himself, as he fasts 17 hours a day. 

But as for saunas and ice baths, you don’t have to search too far to read about more businessmen swearing by the daily benefits, even if it’s costing them a small fortune to access them.

Entrepreneur Paul Hanney tells the AFR he is up at 4:30am and goes directly from his bed to his ice bath, already set at three degrees. “If I can’t handle cold water, how on earth am I meant to handle any stress throughout the day?” (Maybe the same way the rest of us do?) Hanney then goes to his personal training session at an executive gym, eats food formulated by his nutritionist, and finishes his day with a 30-minute meditation session in his personal infrared sauna. He tells the AFR he spends around $50,000 on his health every year, which equates to around two thirds of the average Australian salary. 

Morning routines really have evolved. Especially for those with the time and money.

As for the evolution of business meeting locations, I’m not convinced ice baths and saunas are the way forward for bringing together more diverse ideas and people.

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