According to AIA, there are two million women in Australia who have recently gone through menopause, while around 80,000 women move into the postmenopausal stage every year. Meanwhile, perimenopausal (women transitioning to menopause) and menopausal women make up around 40% of all healthcare visits in the country.
Despite these figures, AIA noted a lack of understanding about the symptoms of menopause, often diagnosed as predominantly mental health-related and not managed optimally.
Now the insurer has partnered with AMS to increase education and access to evidence-based information about menopause to help people reach a correct diagnosis, allowing for a better quality of life for patients and a reduced burden on the healthcare system.
“At AIA Australia, we have a strong belief in the importance of early intervention so that our customers get the right treatment before their condition worsens,” said Stephanie Phillips, chief shared value and marketing officer at AIA. “We're pleased to be working with the Australasian Menopause Society, so we can empower women experiencing menopause to know that they are not alone, and there is a wide range of support available if they need it.”
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Dr Karen Magraith, president of the Australasian Menopause Society, said the group is pleased to partner with AIA to promote awareness of menopause because it is an essential transitional stage in life, and many women experience various symptoms.
The AIA's income protection claim data shows that women in the 45–55 age bracket are 50% more likely to experience depression or anxiety than men.
Moreover, women transitioning into menopause are at risk of mood disturbance; however, the seriousness of mood fluctuation is often underestimated. For example, 2020 Australian statistical data showed that the highest suicide rate for women is the 45-49 age bracket. Additionally, during this time, women with pre-existing mental illness may experience an exacerbation of their symptoms. Even those who have never experienced depression previously are at a heightened risk of depression when compared to pre-menopausal women.
“In addition, after menopause, women are more vulnerable to the development of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis,” Dr Magraith continued. “Knowledge about menopause is crucial to women and those around them so that they can receive the support they need, and so that they can be empowered to set themselves up for a healthy life in the years to come.”
