This is the worst part about being a woman, according to Ann Wason Moore

Australian women have suffered in silence for too long - but there’s a sign that times are changing.

Man, sometimes it’s no fun to feel like a woman.

While I wouldn’t change my gender for the world, I sure would like a refund when it comes to how women’s health is, or rather is not, handled.

But, searching for Berocca at my local Coles last week, I saw a sign that perhaps times are changing.

And that sign read: “Menopause Home Test, $30”.

Yep, it was like the circle of life represented on the top shelf of Aisle 12: tampons, condoms, ovulation tests, pregnancy tests … and menopause tests.

The crazy thing is there are still far too many of my own Gen X sisters who have yet to realise that ‘the change’ can actually bring a whole bunch of changes … fun stuff like weight gain, depression, anxiety, mood swings, hair loss and hot flushes.

Yet here we have a drug company already prepared to take advantage of this ‘new’ female market.

While evidence shows these tests, which detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), are not really effective given that FSH fluctuates widely not just before and during menopause but between each woman, it’s still a positive result - in a way.

The menopause home test kit for $30 on sale at Coles - it’s got Ann Wason Moore pondering: “Yep, it was like the circle of life represented on the top shelf of Aisle 12: tampons, condoms, ovulation tests, pregnancy tests … and menopause tests.”

Setting aside the cynical, if realistic, view that this product is simply a money-maker, it’s great to see the market at least recognise there is an increasing desire for products, information and awareness of female-specific health issues.

Because God knows we’ve been ignored far too long.

From endometriosis to the gender pain gap, Australian women have been forced to suffer in silence.

Now, thanks to a female leader, Victorian premier Jacinta Allen - who has endometriosis herself - has announced the state will hold an inquiry into women’s pain, examining the systemic issues women face when seeking care and support for health issues.

The Inquiry into Women’s Pain found that while chronic pain affected a higher proportion of girls and women than men, women were less likely to receive treatment.

Research also showed women generally experienced more recurrent pain, more severe pain, and longer-lasting pain than men, but medical gender bias - including the fact that the vast majority of health and physiology research is conducted in males - routinely leads to a denial of pain and therefore, lack of pain relief and associated treatment for women.

Meanwhile, a survey of Queensland women last year showed they did not feel listened to and their concerns were dismissed by healthcare professionals, often resulting in misdiagnosis.

Victorian premier Jacinta Allen has announced an inquiry into women’s pain, examining systemic issues women face when seeking care and support for health issues. Picture: Alan Barber

As a result, the state’s first-ever Women and Girls’ Health Strategy will invest an extra $18.2 million over five years for endometriosis and pelvic pain initiatives, while the recent federal budget also included dedicated funding for miscarriage and endometriosis.

It’s not a lot, but it’s certainly a start.

Yet while fertility issues receive the lion’s share of attention in the public domain, menopause remains something of a medical mystery … even for those in the midst of it.

In fact, online data showed that menopause was searched 10 times as much as fertility.

“We get the talk when we are about to start our periods, at age 10 or 11 … but I have patients who have absolutely no idea what is happening when they are in perimenopause or menopause and get a wide variety of symptoms from hair loss to night sweats—it seems confusing and scary,” said Mayo Clinic Centre for Women’s Health director Dr Stephanie Faubion.

As a woman in her late 40s, I can confirm that just about every ladies’ lunch I attend these days is filled with conversation about what the heck is happening to our bodies. The best part is we all have teen daughters as well … our poor families are living through a hormonal hurricane.

Which is why I hope these menopause tests at least give my sisters pause for thought.

We deserve better.

Originally published as This is the worst part about being a woman, according to Ann Wason Moore