Menopause Unit

What do we offer?

At the Menopause Unit we offer you a multidisciplinary team of experienced women's health practitioners from the specialities of gynaecology, endocrinology, psychology and nursing. The Unit provides a complete assessment, investigation and management, including counselling and treatment of women with menopausal and premenstrual syndrome difficulties.

The Clinic is held weekly on Thursday afternoons. A dedicated Early Menopause clinic for women who experience menopause before the age of 40 is held monthly because of their special needs. This Clinic was the first of its kind in Australia. We hold a special Clinic for women with Turner's Syndrome in March, June, September and December. This is also the first dedicated Clinic in Australia for the long term care of adult women who have Turner's Syndrome..

The Unit provides expertise in the management of women with:

Menopause problems:

After a natural menopause
In the perimenopause or menopause transition
With medical illnesses
With complex medical problems requiring long term follow-up
Menopause problems and osteoporosis after cancer treatment
Osteoporosis
Psychological and social difficulties including lifestyle advice in midlife and menopause
Early ( Premature Menopause) - a dedicated clinic
Turner's syndrome - a dedicated clinic
Premenstrual mood disorders

Who are we?

The Menopause Unit was first established in 1982 at the old Queen Victoria Hospital in the centre of Melbourne. It was initially staffed by Dr Elizabeth Farrell and Professor Lorraine Dennerstein. In 1988 Dr Farrell also became the Head of the Menopause Clinic at the old Prince Henry’s Hospital following the early retirement of Dr Jean Hailes.

The two clinics became one after the transfer and closure of services from the city hospitals to Monash Medical Centre in Clayton.
The present clinic is a once -a -week public hospital clinic within Southern Health and is a completely separate clinic from the Jean Hailes Clinic, a privately run clinic also in Clayton.

The philosophy of the Unit, has been since the beginning, one of treating each woman in a holistic way.

Where to find us

Clinic D, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton.

Hours of service

Thursdays: 2:00 - 4:30 pm

Early Menopause Clinic: 4th Thursday of the month
Turner’s Long Term Care Clinic: 2nd Thursday, March, June, September, December

Telephone numbers

For appointments:
9594 2372
9594 2373

Outpatient clinic:
9594 2574
Fax: 9594 2438

Do I need a referral?
Yes, a referral from your Local doctor or specialist is necessary.

Do I need to pay?
No, but please bring your Medicare card or Veterans Affairs card. You will be charged by Pharmacy if you require any medications. There is also a charge for a bone density test if required.

Links with other Services

The Unit has associations with a number of services including Genetics Services, Breast Oncology Unit and Reproductive Biology. We also have links with Early Menopause Australia, the support group for women experiencing early menopause. Email address: early_menopause_australia@hotmail.com. The Turner’s Syndrome Support group have been closely associated with the Unit since the establishment of the clinic for long term care of adult women with Turners Syndrome: www.turnersyndrome.org.au .

Written Information
We provide an information kit to new patients as well as information and advice on lifestyle and exercise.

Our Research Program
The Unit is conducting research in:

Health differences between women with premature menopause and typical-aged menopause.
Safety & Efficacy of Tibolone with climacteric symptoms and a history of breast cancer- a multinational, multicentred randomised, double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial over 5 years.

An evaluation of the safety and efficacy of four different doses of Org 50081 in the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause- a multicenter, randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial over 12 weeks.

Planned Research:

The evaluation of ovarian function in young women with breast cancer before and after chemotherapy.

Training Program
We have responsibilities in teaching undergraduate medical students and doctors in training.