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Peri & Menopause:

The Loving Bystander's Guide

If someone you care about is experiencing menopause symptoms, like hot flushes, sleep disturbance, mood changes, exhaustion or low libido, they don't have to navigate this alone. And neither do you.

STEP 1- Educate Yourself (we'll help!)

STEP 2- Ask them what they need/ want

STEP 3- Connect them with the help they need

What All Partners, Friends and Loved Ones Need to Know About Perimenopause and Menopause.

Everyone born with ovaries will eventually experience menopause, and 80% of them will experience symptoms such as:

Hot Flushes or night sweats,
Brain Fog or cognitive difficulties
Mood changes, particularly before periods
Changes to the menstrual cycle or bleeding pattern
Loss of sex drive or responsiveness
Vaginal dryness or pain
Urinary issues
Migraines, itchy skin, burning tongue... and so many more!

STEP 1 is to make sure you understand what might happen, so you can be prepared to support them. WellFemme has you covered with a range of helpful educational resources HERE.

STEP 2. Every menopause journey is different; symptom severity will be impacted by social, health and environmental circumstances, as well as personality and upbringing.

That's why Step 2 is to ask what they need or want; it really is that simple. They way you ask- the timing, tone and the context- will be super important to how the question is received and interpreted, so choose a time when you're both relaxed and feeling connected.

STEP 3 is to help them find the right professional support.

Encourage your loved one to prioritise their health with a Gift Certificate for WellFemme's expert perimenopause and menopause support services.

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WellFemme Gift Certificates: You decide the amount (over $100)

Our Gift Certificates provide access to expert Peri and Menopause care from Australia’s leading Telehealth clinic, with expert Doctor or Nurse consultations to provide the answers, support and practical strategies they need.

You simply nominate the dollar amount of $100 or more, and your loved one can put your gift towards a range of services with a WellFemme menopause expert doctor or nurse.

EXAMPLE SERVICES THAT GIFT VOUCHERS CAN BE USED FOR:

The "WTF?" Consult: $120

The "I Know What I Need to Do, I Just Struggle to Do It" Package: $165

The "50,000K Service": $300

The "What's Up Doc?" Consult: $300 ($125.10 rebate; pens/conc discount avail)

The "We've Got You" package: $595 ($210 rebates; pens/conc discount avail)

More "Stuff" Won't Make It Better. Give the Gift of Feeling Seen, Heard and Understood

Once your loved one receives their Gift Voucher they simply contact our team to book in their chosen clinical services. They will benefit from compassionate, evidence-based treatment and support that really listens and responds to their individual needs.

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Why WellFemme?

✅ Australia’s first dedicated menopause Telehealth clinic, designed for women by a female GP in 2018.
✅ 9.5/10 patient satisfaction score from thousands of women
✅ 80% of patients notice considerable improvement within 8 weeks of treatment
✅ Specialist-trained team with additional menopause expertise
✅ Evidence-based approach focused on proven treatments and lifestyle support
✅ Serving women across all Australian states and territories

What Our Patients Are Saying

Judy, 48, NSW

“It was brilliant to be able to speak to a Doctor that understands menopause and who was able to give excellent advice.”

Susan, 52, VIC

“Being able to talk to a medical practitioner who is knowledgeable in menopause, and had suitable options available was an incredible relief, and empowering to be armed with facts and choices.”

Kim 49, QLD

“It was brilliant to be able to speak to a Doctor that understands menopause and who was able to give excellent advice.”

What Are Some of The Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause?

Hot Flushes and Night Sweats

Mood Disturbances

Sleep Problems

Vaginal Dryness & Sexual Pain

Vaginal dryness in menopause can cause sexual pain and urinary problems like UTI’s and incontinence.

Declining estrogen levels around menopause effect the delicate tissues of the vulva and vagina. They become thin, dry and more easily damaged (atrophy). More than half of postmenopausal women will experience this Genito-urinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), which may cause painful intercourse, urinary issues, or vulval itch and irritation.

Treatment Options

Depending on your specific symptoms the treatment options may include:

Avoidance of irritants, eg. soaps, cosmetics, chemicals, fabrics
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
Bladder training
Vaginal moisturisers and/ or lubricants
Relaxation therapy
Vaginal estrogens
Systemic hormonal treatment
Medications for irritable bladder or urinary tract infections

Currently there is insufficient evidence to support the use of vaginal laser therapy for GSM.

Hormonal Treatments

In milder cases of vaginal dryness it may be sufficient to use vaginal moisturisers and lubricants, but for more severe symptoms the most effective option is likely to be estrogen therapy. This can be in the form of vaginal estrogen creams or pessaries which specifically target the dryness. Women who also have hot flushes or osteoporosis however may benefit from systemic hormonal treatment; that is, estrogen taken transdermally (skin gels or patches) or orally. This delivers benefits throughout the body like relief of hot flushes and stronger bones.

Vaginal estrogens are very safe and effective treatment for menopausal vaginal dryness. There’s no need to take progestins to protect the uterus (like with systemic hormones) and there is no increased risk of breast cancer.

See a Doctor

It is important to remember that there are many other causes of vulvovaginal symptoms like itching and pain, for example infections and skin conditions (some of which may be quite serious). Don’t assume that because you are menopausal it must be GSM, especially if treatments aren’t working. You should see your GP for an examination prior to starting any treatment.

If you can’t find the professional help you need for your menopausal symptoms then book a Telehealth consultation today with a WellFemme menopause doctor.

Poor Libido

Hormonal changes and life stressors around perimenopause can cause women to be less interested in sex. How can we improve a low libido?

What Causes Low Libido?

This is a tricky area. There are many possible contributors to low libido; some are physiological and some are sociological.

Do you love your partner and feel loving towards them? Do you have any unresolved psychological or medical issues? Do you actually have “windows of opportunity” when you and your partner are together privately, feeling relaxed and well-rested for a decent amount of time? Do you touch your partner and share intimacies with them in a non-sexual way? Is there any pain or discomfort with sex?

We highly recommend Dr Rosie King’s book Where Did My Libido Go? She summarises the main causes of reduced libido beautifully, which is a good start point for addressing it. As always, We highly recommend that you find a trusted health professional to talk to as well.

How much sex are you actually having?

Everyone’s inherent levels of desire are different. Some women will have sex every week and call it a dry spell, others might have sex monthly and consider that quite a lot.

The Role of Hormones

Testosterone has a big role to play in sex drive; the more you have, the more you want it. We have a much lower level of testosterone than men to begin with, which halves between the ages of 20 and 40. It declines even more after menopause.

For women who have difficulty becoming aroused or orgasming there may be a role for supplementing with testosterone cream. This should always be done under the supervision of a doctor with the expertise to monitor your testosterone levels and adjust the dose as needed.

Declining estrogen levels with age further erode our libidos and can cause vaginal dryness and sexual pain. It’s actually in our physiology to have a lower libido as we age. Having said that, a new sexual partner seems to enhance libido at whatever age you are so psychological factors can definitely triumph in the right setting.

Desire Mismatch

If you were living alone and didn’t feel like having sex then that’s fine. Where it becomes an issue is if your partner wants it and you don’t, or vice versa.

No-one wants to feel like they’re having to pester their partner for sex all the time. If there is resentment building because one partner is feeling pressured and the other rejected then sometimes a relationship or sexual counsellor can help to break the cycle.

If you are struggling with poor libido, the first port of call should be a discussion with your GP. If you can’t find a menopause-informed GP, book in for a comprehensive Telehealth assessment with on of WellFemme’s expert menopause GP’s.

Period Problems

Weight Gain

Many women notice unwanted weight gain around menopause, especially around the belly, even if their habits haven’t changed. It’s frustrating but common, and thankfully, there are effective ways to manage it.

Why Does Weight Gain Happen?

Menopause (defined as 12 months without a period, typically between ages 45–55) brings hormonal changes that affect fat distribution, metabolism, and muscle mass. As estrogen declines, fat tends to shift from the hips and thighs to the abdomen. Muscle mass also decreases (particularly if we are less active), which slows your metabolism and lowers your daily energy needs. Even the end of your monthly cycle means your body burns fewer kilojoules – about 200kJ per day.

While the average weight gain is only around 1kg, studies show trunk fat can increase by 5.5% and waistlines by up to 4.6cm, which increases the risk of heart disease, one of the biggest killers of Australian women.

The Role of Diet

The best eating approach for midlife women is a modified Mediterranean diet. It supports weight management and reduces the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Key features:

Focus on whole foods: vegetables, fruits, legumes, wholegrains, nuts, seeds
Lean proteins (fish, chicken, legumes) to support muscle and metabolism
Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado) for satiety and heart health
Low-GI carbs like oats, brown rice, and quinoa. Also, keep carbs to under 30% of total daily calories
Minimise added sugars and processed foods

As energy needs decline, portion control becomes more important. Some women also benefit from reducing carbs in the evening. A dietitian can help you personalise your nutrition to stay well-fuelled without overeating.

What About Exercise?

Exercise is crucial – not just for burning calories, but also for preserving muscle and bone mass, controlling blood sugars, managing abdominal fat and raising basal metabolism (meaning that you burn more calories 24/7).

Research supports:

Nordic walking 3x per week to reduce waist size and cholesterol
Circuit training to reduce belly fat, even without weight loss
Lifestyle support leading to better outcomes than self-directed changes
The Australian “40-Something” Trial found that women aged 45–50 who received regular guidance had better weight and waist outcomes over two years than those who were left to self-manage. Their proven successful habits included:
2 serves of fruit and 5+ serves of veg daily
Wholegrains, lean protein, dairy
Limiting processed foods and takeaways
150–250 minutes of exercise weekly
Less sitting (under 3 hours/day), and
10,000 steps a day

The Bottom Line

Menopausal weight gain is common, but not inevitable. Small, consistent changes in diet and activity can make a big difference. Focus on nutrient-rich foods, stay active, and get support when needed. Work with menopause-informed doctors to sort out any underlying medical or lifestyle issues, and get personalized advice if needed from other health practitioners such as dieticians or exercise physiologists.

Your health goals are still achievable; you just need a strategy that works for this new stage of life.

If you are struggling with weight gain, the first port of call should be a discussion with your GP. If you can’t find a menopause-informed GP, book in for a comprehensive Telehealth assessment with on of WellFemme’s expert menopause GP’s.

Buy Gift Certificate

Show her that you see her.

Give the gift of expert Peri and Menopause support from Australia’s leading Telehealth clinic.

Peri & Menopause:

The Loving Bystander's Guide

STEP 1- Educate Yourself (we'll help!)

STEP 2- Ask them what they need/ want

STEP 3- Connect them with the help they need

What All Partners, Friends and Loved Ones Need to Know About Perimenopause and Menopause.

Encourage your loved one to prioritise their health with a Gift Certificate for WellFemme's expert perimenopause and menopause support services.

WellFemme Gift Certificates: You decide the amount (over $100)

EXAMPLE SERVICES THAT GIFT VOUCHERS CAN BE USED FOR:

The "WTF?" Consult: $120

The "I Know What I Need to Do, I Just Struggle to Do It" Package: $165

The "50,000K Service": $300

The "What's Up Doc?" Consult: $300 ($125.10 rebate; pens/conc discount avail)

The "We've Got You" package: $595 ($210 rebates; pens/conc discount avail)

More "Stuff" Won't Make It Better. Give the Gift of Feeling Seen, Heard and Understood

Why WellFemme?

What Our Patients Are Saying

Judy, 48, NSW

Susan, 52, VIC

Kim 49, QLD

What Are Some of The Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause?

Hot Flushes and Night Sweats

Why do we experience hot flushes and night sweats during the menopausal transition, and how can we alleviate them?

What Do Hot Flushes Feel Like?

What Causes Hot Flushes?

What Can Help?

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT):

Non-Hormonal Options:

Complementary Therapies:

Mood Disturbances

Women often notice worsening irritability, anxiety and depression at perimenopause. What can we do about it?

Treatment Options

Sleep Problems

Sleep problems at perimenopause are very common and distressing.

Common Causes

What You Can Do

Vaginal Dryness & Sexual Pain

Vaginal dryness in menopause can cause sexual pain and urinary problems like UTI’s and incontinence.

Treatment Options

Hormonal Treatments

See a Doctor

Poor Libido

Hormonal changes and life stressors around perimenopause can cause women to be less interested in sex. How can we improve a low libido?

What Causes Low Libido?

How much sex are you actually having?

The Role of Hormones

Desire Mismatch

Period Problems

Let’s dive headlong into the girliest of all girly issues. “Period problems” are a very common women’s health issue during Perimenopause.

What’s Considered Normal?

Common Period Issues

Weight Gain

Why Does Weight Gain Happen?

The Role of Diet

What About Exercise?

Research supports:

The Bottom Line

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