AMS Newsletter 27 February 2025

In this edition

• ESHRE Guideline on premature ovarian insufficiency
• Henry Burger memorial celebration
• Media release on PBS from AMS
• Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) discontinuation and shortages February 2025
• AMS Webinar: After the IMS World Congress 2024 - Your queries, dilemmas and tricky questions answered - 18 March 2025
• Congress advertisement

Health Professionals - join AMS for Members-only content 

• Menopause Matters
• The Perimenopause Journey: An adaptive reproductive phase - IMS Webinar
• European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Newsletter

In this edition

ESHRE Guideline on premature ovarian insufficiency

This updated guideline offers best practice recommendations for the care of women with with both primary and secondary premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). POI is a clinical condition defined by the loss of ovarian function indicated by irregular menstrual cycles together with biochemical confirmation of ovarian insufficiency before the age of 40.

Women with POI have unique needs. They may not only suffer from symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency, but can also experience other issues, with a significant impact on their quality of life and later health outcomes. POI can have significant effects on fertility, bone health, cardiovascular health, sexual function, psychological health and neurological function.

The impact of POI on these different domains and the treatment options for each along with monitoring needs where relevant are all discussed in the guideline.

There are associated professional resources and patients resources.

Read more... 

Professor Henry Burger AO - Memorial Celebration

Tuesday 18 March - register here

AMS commends funding of MHT menopause medicines

11 February 2025: 

The Australasian Menopause Society has welcomed the recent announcement by the Commonwealth Government in relation to Menopausal Hormone Therapies (MHT), extensive funding for menopause education and an extended menopause consultation time with General Practitioners.

From 1 March 2025, three commonly prescribed MHT products used to effectively treat some of the most common symptoms of the menopause will be available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS): Estrogel Pro® (a combination pack of Oestradiol and Progesterone), Oestradiol (Estrogel®) and Progesterone (Prometrium®). MHT is the best treatment for hot flushes.

AMS Board President, Dr Sylvia Rosevear said, ‘The availability of these medicines on the PBS makes these medicines more affordable and provides greater choice, based on need.

‘The Australian Government has listened to the concerns of women across the country and subsequently taken this very positive step that supports and invests in women’s healthcare needs in the menopause,’ said Dr Rosevear.

Prior to this addition to the PBS, Australian women have been paying up to $650 per year for these three medications. After they are introduced on March 1^st on the PBS, the cost to women will provide a significant improvement in affordability women with healthcare cards will pay $7.70 monthly ($92.40 annually) with non-concessional patients paying $31.60 every month ($379.20 annually).

Dr Rosevear continues ‘This announcement stems from one of the recommendations in the 2024 Senate Inquiry into Menopause and Perimenopause. Specifically, that the Government will ‘ensure appropriate access and lowered costs for all who need it.’

‘The addition of these medicines to the PBS will give women access to affordable, effective and available treatment options for menopausal symptoms.  Considering symptoms for some are prolonged, this announcement is welcomed by both health professionals and consumers.’

Dr Rosevear continues, ‘It’s recommended that patients work closely with their healthcare professional.

‘Additionally, we look forward to more announcements from the Commonwealth stemming from last year’s Senate Inquiry that support women transitioning into perimenopause.’ Dr Rosevear concludes.

Further information on Estrogel and Prometrium is available in the Consumer Medicines Guide.

Please refer to the PBS website after March 1 for the full PBS schedule.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) discontinuation and shortages February 2025

Australia 

Patch Shortages

There are a number of MHTs that are currently unavailable. Please note that the TGA has approved some unregistered products under Section 19A and some substitute doses are currently in supply in Australia. Pharmacists are encouraged to contact suppliers Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd on 1300 788 261 for orders of Estramon and Sandoz on 1800 726 369 for orders of Estradiol Transdermal System.

Oestradiol patches

	Availability and expected supply due		Alternative supply under Section 19A
Dose	Estradot	Estraderm	Estramon	Estradiol Transdermal System
25 mcg	Limited - 31 Dec 2025	Limited - 30th June 2025	Available
37.5 mcg	Unavailable - 30th Jun 2025		Available	Available
50 mcg	Unavailable - 31st Dec 2025	Limited - 30th June 2025	Available	Unavailable
75 mcg	Limited - 31st Dec 2025	Limited - 30th June 2025	Available	Unavailable
100 mcg	Unavailable - 31 Dec 2025	Limited - 7th April 2025	Available	Available

Combined patches

Dose	Estalis Sequi	Estalis Conti
50/140	Limited – 30th June 2025	Unavailable – 30th June 2025
50/250	Limited – 30th June 2025	Limited – 30th June 2025

All doses of Climara have been deleted from the market and there will be a reduction in supply until supply is exhausted.

The AMS Guide to MHT Doses (Australia only) provides a guideline to approximately equivalent doses of the different MHT/HRT products in Australia.

New Zealand

As at 11 December 2024, patch availability is provided below.

Dose	Estradot	Viatris	Estraderm MX
25mcg	Limited	Available	Available
50mcg	Limited	Available
75mcg	Limited	Available
100mcg	Limited	Available

More information can be found here  

The AMS Guide to MHT Doses (New Zealand only) provides a guideline to approximately equivalent doses of the different MHT/HRT products in New Zealand. 

AMS Webinar: After the IMS World Congress 2024 - Your queries, dilemmas and tricky questions answered - 18 March 2025

Following the 19^th IMS World Congress on Menopause in Melbourne in October, the topic of menopause has remained firmly in the spotlight. As the number of evidence-based guidelines has grown, so has consumer health literacy and a wide range of clinical practices promoted by various stakeholders in the menopause space.

The 19^th World Congress afforded Australian healthcare providers the opportunity to explore best-practice menopause care recommendations, and our hive mind has been buzzing with a range of opinions related to risk vs benefit of MHT, new and emerging non-MHT treatment options, alongside the most effective ways of conveying evidence-based information to women in our ongoing efforts to counter information overload and misinformation. In addition, we have had the exciting announcements of new dosage options now available for existing MHT formulations, as well as new additions to the PBS list for MHT, offering a wider choice for women.

Additionally, the AMS webinar is designed as a wrap-up of expert opinion, the menopause toolkit, and best-practice recommendations for menopause management, based on the diversity of the expert presentations at the 19^th World IMS Congress a few months ago, and the IMS White Paper.

Non-AMS Members cost is $49.00 (GST INC, plus booking fee)

AMS Members no charge

Read more here

AMS Congress 2025 - Fremantle WA

Sponsorship opportunities available now!!

Health Professionals - join AMS for Members-only content 

Menopause Matters: Professor Athol Kent has reviewes and comments on recent journal articles.

The Perimenopause Journey: An adaptive reproductive phase - IMS Webinar

European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Newsletter AMS is an affiliate of EMAS. See latest copy.