Table of contents
Menopause in Australia - What Regional, Remote and CALD Women Really Face
Menopause is a biological phase, but its lived experience varies wildly depending on geography, culture, socioeconomic status, and the health system. Below are findings from Australian research and inquiry that shed light on what it’s really like — especially outside big cities and for women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds or First Nations communities.
The Broader Impact: Work, Family, and Mental Health
The Jean Hailes National Survey (2023) found that more than 70% of women reported menopause symptoms that impacted their work, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
In rural employment sectors, such as agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality, women often have limited access to sick leave, flexible hours, or menopause-friendly policies. These factors can compound the mental load, particularly for women balancing caregiving, community, and employment roles.
Key Findings from Australia: Regional, Remote, Indigenous & CALD Experiences
1. Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander Women
- A qualitative study by Jurgenson, Jones, Green, Haynes & Thompson (2014) explored the menopause experiences of 25 Aboriginal women in a regional centre (Mid-West Region, Western Australia). BioMed Central+1
- Language and meaning: Many women recognised terms like “change of life” more easily than “menopause” or “perimenopause.” The formal medical terms are less meaningful or familiar. BioMed Central
- Lack of prior knowledge: Women often did not understand that what they were experiencing — irregular menses, mood swings, hot flushes — were part of menopause. They attributed them to ageing, stress, or other things. BioMed Central
- Coping & community support: They spoke of both fear and uncertainty about symptoms, but also of gaining respect in the community (“being seen as elders”) after the “change of life” is acknowledged. Yet they also reported insufficient health information directed to them or their families. BioMed Central
- Another review, Menopause and the influence of culture: another gap for Indigenous Australian women? (Jones, Jurgenson, Katzenellenbogen, Thompson) shows that there is very limited literature specifically around Indigenous women’s experience. Social disadvantage, poorer general health, cultural beliefs etc., intersect to shape different experiences, but there is much less data. BioMed Central
2. National Inquiry, Senate Reports & Government-Level Documented Lived Experiences
- The Senate Inquiry into Issues Related to Perimenopause and Menopause (Australia) collected many personal stories from women across the country. Some notable excerpts:
“I wish I knew at 30 what I know now. Perimenopause is not for old ladies and is not just hot flushes. Not knowing this before I entered this phase… has negatively impacted my life.” Parliament of Australia
“Like many others I was familiar with menopause being referred to as the ‘change of life’. As it turns out, what I was massively less aware of is how that change could manifest itself in reality.” Parliament of Australia
- Gaps identified include:
- Women reported being dismissed by health providers: symptoms labelled as stress, psychological, or told it was “just ageing.” Parliament of Australia
- Lack of awareness of perimenopause — many didn’t know what that term meant until already in it. Parliament of Australia
- Strong call for health services to include longer consultations, specialist training, and better access in rural areas. Parliament of Australia+1
- The Government’s response acknowledges many of these issues: healthcare access gaps, workplace impacts, and the need for better awareness campaigns. Health, Disability & Ageing Australia
3. Rural, Remote & Regional Health Disadvantage (Non-Indigenous)
- Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) show that women in rural, remote and regional areas experience worse general health outcomes, more barriers to accessing services, and higher burden of chronic disease. Menopause-specific data are less detailed, but the gap in health access is well documented. Australian Women’s Health Alliance
- The Advancing menopause care in Australia: barriers and opportunities article (in the Medical Journal of Australia) outlines that women outside urban centres often have poorer access to specialist care, hormone therapy shortages, fewer health practitioners with menopause expertise, and delays to diagnosis or treatment. The Medical Journal of Australia
- The NSW Menopause Initiative is one practical response: establishing hub + spoke referral sites, including in the Hunter New England LHD which supports rural areas along the Mid North Coast & Northern NSW. This is intended to improve access for regional/remote women. Agency for Clinical Innovation
4. CALD Women (non-Indigenous)
- Direct qualitative research specifically focused on CALD women in regional/remote Australia is quite limited in the literature, but there are some findings and submissions pointing to challenges:
- The Senate Inquiry notes that CALD women frequently report language barriers, cultural stigma, lack of culturally safe care, and low awareness of menopause terms or treatment options among community and health professionals. Parliament of Australia
- The Menopause and the influence of culture paper (for Indigenous women) often draws parallels with other cultural groups: in many cultures menopause is private, not discussed; there can be shame; women may feel their symptoms are minimized. Though not all studies are specific to CALD, themes overlap. BioMed Central+1
- The Research Australia submission emphasises “disadvantaged populations” needing more study, including CALD, remote, low-income women. RESEARCH AUSTRALIA+1
5. Symptom Burden, Work, Mental Health
- The Jean Hailes report, The impact of symptoms attributed to menopause by Australian women found that many women report symptoms severe enough to affect their work, emotional wellbeing, physical activity, sleep, etc. Jean Hailes
- Women in the Senate Inquiry described missing work, struggling with cognitive symptoms (memory, concentration), fatigue, mood swings often without adequate recognition from health providers. Parliament of Australia
Implications: What These Experiences Reveal
Putting together all these findings, these are some of the authentic, specific challenges:
- The language used in health settings often does not resonate with many Aboriginal or CALD women. “Change of life” or local terms may be preferred; medical jargon can feel alienating.
- Information lack: Many women reported not knowing about perimenopause, or recognising what was happening to them, until after more serious or prolonged symptoms.
- Cultural beliefs and norms can lead women to delay seeking help: stigma about discussing reproductive health, expectations of endurance, or perceptions that menopause is “natural”, so medical help is less appropriate.
- Access to specialised care is poorer in remote/regional areas: fewer GPs with specific menopause training, fewer specialists or services nearby, and challenges in getting follow-ups or referrals.
- Cost and travel: For regional and remote women, to see specialised or experienced providers sometimes means travel, accommodation, time off work, which may be prohibitively expensive.
- Workplace impact is a real and reported burden, even for women in regional roles, especially where there is less flexibility (e.g. manual jobs, farming, shift work) and less understanding from employers.
- Overlap with other social pressures: Women in regional/remote and CALD communities may also be dealing with caregiving, financial strain, limited transport, less privacy or social support. All of this can worsen the menopause transition.
Quotations & Voices to Keep in Mind
I hadn’t come across the term ‘perimenopause’ until I was in my 40’s… I didn’t know what it meant … even when I was in the midst of it what the symptoms were.
— Submitter to the Senate Inquiry.
Parliament of Australia
Like many others I was familiar with menopause being referred to as the ‘change of life’. As it turns out … I was less aware of how that change could manifest itself in reality.
Parliament of Australia
From the Aboriginal women’s study: many women expressed fear of symptoms and a lack of understanding, and noted that existing health services and information had not addressed their specific needs.
BioMed Central
Recommendations More Deeply Rooted in Australian Reality
Based on what women are actually saying, here are more grounded proposals tailored for regional/remote and CALD settings:
1. Culturally Safe Communication & Resources
- Develop menopause materials in community languages; use terms women already use (e.g. “change of life”) rather than imposing medical terminology only.
- Use methods like “yarning” or storytelling for First Nations groups, community health workers for CALD communities.
2. Training Primary Care in Regions
- Ensure GPs in remote/regional areas receive continuing professional development focused on menopause, perimenopause, including cultural competency training. The Senate report specifically recommends this. Parliament of Australia+1
- Expand the scope of nurse practitioners, allied health, local clinics to deliver support where specialists are unavailable. Parliament of Australia+1
3. Improved Access through Outreach, Telehealth & Hub Models
- Increase telehealth availability for menopause care; ensure reliable internet, subsidised telecommunications for remote communities.
- Use “hub and spoke” models such as NSW’s menopause hubs which include rural-support for suburbs and more remote areas. Agency for Clinical Innovation
4. Workplace Policy Adaptations
- Recognise symptom burden (such as sleep disturbance, hot flashes, cognitive fog) and allow for flexibility.
- Educate employers, particularly in regional industries, about what reasonable workplace adjustments might look like.
5. Further Research Targeted to CALD / Remote Populations
- More qualitative work to explore how menopause is experienced in different CALD communities (language, faith, migration history) in rural/remote settings.
- Disaggregate data in national surveys by geography and cultural background, so the unique experiences of these groups are visible.
6. Government & Funding Responses
- Senate Inquiry has made several recommendations: e.g. expanding scope of practice for nurse practitioners in rural/regional areas, creating new Medicare item numbers or adjusting existing ones for better menopause-related care, ensuring supply and affordability of hormone therapies, etc. Parliament of Australia+1
Menopause is not simply a biological milestone; it’s a public health, social equity, and cultural issue. While Australia has made strides in visibility and advocacy, many women still face avoidable suffering because of geography, culture, and systemic neglect.
The call to action is clear: every woman, in every community, deserves to understand her body, access compassionate care, and navigate menopause with dignity.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is based on current research and resources. For personalised advice and support, please consult healthcare professionals or contact the organisation Embrace Care Solutions.
Dr Sabine Wardle is a senior social worker, academic, researcher and a women’s reproductive health and infertility counsellor. She is passionate about social justice and advocates for equitable health services for all, regardless of gender, cultural background or geographical location. Sabine is keen to raise awareness about women’s health issues.
Related Hashtags
