Women's Health & Research Institute of Australia

17/09/2025

Help get equitable care for women via medications on the PBS -

Australia has reached a milestone in the quest to have essential medications listed on the PBS. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is now seeking public input by 24 September for their November meeting. Please take action by sharing this newsletter and submitting an application f...

07/08/2025

The Women's Health and Research Institute of Australia is currently recruiting participants for a new study relating to vulval pain.
The MiGel study is a clinical trial to investigate the potential effect of a topical medication for the treatment of vulval/vaginal pain with s*xual activity. Participants in the study need to be living in Australia, women aged 30 and over who also;
🟣 have experienced pain in or around the vulva/vagina during s*x for at least 3 months,
🟣 are currently s*xually active (including with self) or would like to be but can’t because of pain,
🟣 have given birth at least once with no severe morning sickness, and
🟣 are NOT currently pregnant or breastfeeding, and willing to avoid pregnancy during the study.
If you’re interested in participating in this study click the link to find out more.
👩‍⚕️ MiGelStudy.com

MiGel Study The MiGel study is a clinical trial to investigate the potential effect of a topical medication for the treatment of vulval/vaginal pain with s*xual activity. Participants in the study need to be living in Australia, women aged 30 and over who also; have experienced pain in or around the...

13/06/2025

Welcome to the wonderful Alexandra (Ally) van Schalkwyk - the newest member of the WHRIA team.

Ally is a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist with extensive experience managing a wide range of conditions, including;

🟣 Pelvic pain conditions (such as painful in*******se, pudendal neuralgia, pelvic floor spasm related to endometriosis)
🟣 Urinary conditions such as stress incontinence, urinary urgency and voiding dysfunction
🟣 Prolapse and pessary management
🟣 Bowel related conditions
🟣 Pre and post-operative pelvic floor rehabilitation
🟣 Antenatal birth preparation and post-natal rehabilitation
🟣 Men’s health conditions including bowel, continence related conditions, pain and pre/post operative prostatectomy
🟣 Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain

To book with Ally call WHRIA on 1300 722 206

16/05/2025

Do you experience pain with physical intimacy?
If so, consider joining our clinical trial. Click the link to find out more.
👩‍⚕️ whria.com.au/study-recruitment/

MiGel Study The MiGel study is a clinical trial to investigate the potential effect of a topical medication for the treatment of vulval/vaginal pain with s*xual activity. Participants in the study need to be living in Australia, women aged 30 and over who also; have experienced pain in or around the...

18/02/2025

WHRIA has an experienced and supportive team for all types of pelvic pain, including . Great update on the latest on by Prof Sonia Grover. Get started today on your recovery and see one of our pelvic health physiotherapists, osteopaths or psychologist (no referral required).

Clinicians can’t predict who does and doesn’t have endometriosis from symptoms alone.

20/12/2024

The WHRIA team wish you a safe and restful end to 2024. Our clinic will be closed from COB today and reopen on Monday, 6th January 2025. Stay safe and healthy and see you in 2025!

15/11/2024

Do you know about the free service for peri and post-menopausal women? Listen to A/Prof John Eden (WHRIA) who leads the central hub at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney with rural hubs for women all over NSW.
Find out more by listening to John speaking on ABC radio this week.

Australasian Menopause Society

Hot flushes, brain fog, insomnia and weight gain. They're just a few of the symptoms menopausal women can expect to endure. A new Menopause Hub has opened in Randwick at the Royal Hospital for Women.

08/10/2024

Get to know your body and your symptoms.
Not all of menopause is bad. When it is bad, there are medical and herbal options proven to be safe and effective. View the full range of treatment options available to protect your future heart and bone health via the WHRIA website. Fill in the symptom checker and talk to your GP.

We hear a lot about the downsides of midlife hormonal changes. But what about the gifts that menopause can bring?

18/09/2024

We need your LOUD support for equitable access to essential medicines for and . Click on the link below before 25th September to support PBS funding with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Due to the current high cost, many women are missing out on newer, safer medications for the long-term preventative health benefits of menopausal hormone therapy for bone density and reducing the risk of fractures; and heart disease for some women.

https://ohta-consultations.health.gov.au/ohta/pbac-nov-2024/

MORE INFO ABOUT THE MEDICATIONS UP FOR REVIEW
Note drug name in brackets as it appears on the online-form:
Slinda® (DROSPIRENONE) a progestin-only oral contraceptive pill, safe for women with migraines; often improves/prevents menstrual migraines; safe for women; low risk of clots or stroke. An option for
Estrogel® (ESTRADIOL): Pump-pack gel for the skin. Safer than oral estradiol for clotting risk. Much more costly than estradiol patches, and many are forced to pay more to maintain their treatment due to an ongoing shortage of estradiol patches in Australia.
Prometrium® (PROGESTERONE): body-identical progesterone is safer and has fewer side effects than synthetic progestins for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). MHT with Prometrium has a lower breast cancer risk when compared to MHT containing progestins.
Estrogel® Pro (ESTRADIOL AND PROGESTERONE): this combination pack is suitable for post-menopausal women to continue life-long for preventative cardiovascular, bone, and other health benefits. This is often the first choice for menopause treatment for most women (those with a uterus).
Ryeqo® (RELUGOLIX WITH ESTRADIOL AND WITH NORETHISTERONE ACETATE): and daily oral tablet, an option with fewer side effects than other medications that pause the me**es cycle.

Bronnie Taylor MLC EndoActive Australia & NZ
Endometriosis Australia Endometriosis Western Australia Chronic Pain Australia Osteoporosis Support Group Australia Osteoporosis Support Australia Menopause Australia Support Group Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia Australasian Menopause Society

24/07/2024

This week is National Pain Week. Please take a look at all the great free events hosted by Chronic Pain Australia
WHRIA team is here for any type of with an up-to-date, individualized approach where you are the main driver of your health.
*x

National Pain Week 2024 is Australia’s annual awareness event for chronic pain.

16/07/2024

Get moving for pain relief!

Walking encourages gentle movement of the spine and hip joints, promoting flexibility and preventing stiffness.

04/07/2024

Pain colours your world. But finding the right treatments, community and connections can be a painchanger.

Chronic Pain Australia’s annual National Pain Week is about helping people living with chronic pain to find their painchangers.

Mark your calendars for the last week of July for National Pain Week 2024, and register on our website for updates.

Find your painchangers and let your true colours shine through.

Learn more here: https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painchanger/