World Menopause Month: Women's midlife pain must not be dismissed

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling for greater awareness and research around menopause care this World Menopause Month, following World Menopause Day’s (18 October) spotlight on chronic pain at midlife. 

RACGP Specific Interests Menopause Health Subgroup Chair Dr Sharon Vasey said the theme ‘Chronic Pain at Midlife’ highlighted an often-overlooked issue affecting women during and after menopause. 

“Women should not have to accept chronic pain as an inevitable part of getting older or struggle to have their symptoms taken seriously,” she said. 

“We need greater recognition of the complex health changes that can occur during midlife, one of which is an increased likelihood of chronic pain.” 

According to the International Menopause Society (IMS), women are up to 70% more likely than men to experience chronic pain, while almost three in four women experience joint or muscle pain during perimenopause. Linked to falling estrogen, musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause refers to a group of changes which can include joint pain, stiffness and weaker muscles. 

“Like so many areas of women’s health, menopause has historically been overlooked, underfunded and under-researched,” Dr Vasey said.  

“We’ve made progress in raising awareness, but we need sustained investment in research, education and evidence-based care so women can get the support they need.” 

RACGP women’s health spokesperson Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis said GPs are ideally placed to support women through menopause. 

“Women deserve access to high-quality menopause care, no matter where they live,” she said.

“GPs build ongoing relationships with their patients and understand their medical histories, putting them in a unique position to support women through the menopause transition and make informed decisions about their health. 

“With this being said, improving menopause education is vital. GPs need access to the latest clinical guidance and training to ensure women can have informed conversations about their symptoms and treatment options.” 

The College welcomes the Federal Government’s plans to develop Australia’s first national living clinical guideline for perimenopause and menopause, following a 2024 Senate inquiry report that identified significant gaps in medical education. 

The RACGP also continues to call for Medicare rebates that better support longer consultations, recognising that female GPs are more likely to provide longer consultations and complex care involving women’s health. 

Additionally, the RACGP has raised concerns about Victoria’s expansion of pharmacy-based prescribing for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), emphasising that access to medication must not come at the expense of comprehensive, ongoing care. 

“Menopause care is about much more than a prescription. Women need a GP who can assess their symptoms, review treatment and consider their broader health. A repeat prescription can be one part of care, but it cannot replace an ongoing relationship with a GP who understands their medical history,” Dr Vasey said. 

“Women deserve to be heard, properly assessed and supported with evidence-based care — not left to suffer in silence.” 

Clinicians, researchers, educators, students and the wider healthcare community may wish to access the Australian Journal of General Practice (AJGP)’s ‘Menopause 1’ and ‘Menopause 2’ issues, which were published earlier this year to support GPs in delivering high-quality menopause care.