Takeaways from the Australasian Menopause Society Congress

Our Lifestyle GP, Dr Louise Sterling, recently attended the Australasian Menopause Society Congress in Fremantle - where leading experts shared the latest research on perimenopause and menopause. She’s come back with some important (and sometimes surprising!) takeaways that we want to share with you.

Testosterone: Not the Magic Fix

One of the biggest myths in midlife health right now is the idea that testosterone is the answer for everything from fatigue to brain fog. According to Professor Susan Davis’ review of the research, there’s no solid evidence that testosterone improves mood, memory, energy, muscle mass or body composition in women during the menopause transition.

What it can do? Cause acne, weight gain, and increased body hair. Not exactly the outcome many women are looking for. So, if you’ve seen health influencers promoting testosterone as the “cure-all” for midlife symptoms - take it with a big grain of salt.

What Does Help? MHT & Vaginal Oestrogen

The research continues to confirm that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) remains the treatment of choice for relief of many symptoms and improves bone and heart health in post-menopausal women.For urinary and vaginal symptoms, the news is encouraging too: vaginal oestrogen can improve urinary symptoms by up to 40% and reduce recurrent urinary tract infections by half. These are powerful benefits for quality of life.

Memory & Brain Fog: Why Perimenopause Feels So Foggy

Louise learned that memory problems actually peak in perimenopause - the stage when symptoms are often at their most intense. The good news? They tend to improve once women move through to the postmenopausal stage.

What’s happening in the brain is fascinating: changes in brain structure, connectivity, and energy metabolism combine with hot flushes, sleep disruptions, and mood shifts to make concentration and recall harder. The protective factors? Exercise, education, staying mentally engaged and social engagement all play a role in supporting cognitive health.

Symptoms Peak in PerimenopauseIf you feel like your symptoms are “off the charts” right now, you’re not imagining it. Perimenopause is the time when symptoms tend to peak, as this is the period of peak fluctuations in oestrogen levels. But for many women, things do ease as they move through the transition. Sometimes knowing there’s light at the end of the tunnel is its own kind of medicine.

And finally… a Cat PSA 🐾One unexpected takeaway from the conference was a public health warning: oestradiol gel (such as Estrogel or Sandrena) is toxic to cats. If you’re using it, make sure your furry friend doesn’t lick the skin where it’s applied - it can suppress their bone marrow. Consider this your “don’t share your hormones with your cat” reminder!

Our Takeaway

Science is constantly evolving, and conferences like this help us bring the latest evidence straight to you. If you’re struggling with symptoms - from brain fog to bladder changes - you don’t have to figure it out alone.

At Midlife Women’s Clinic, we’re here to support you with evidence-based care and a team that understands what you’re going through.

 Better is Possible

 Midlife Women’s Clinic