Pressplay Newsletter | March 2025
6 minute read
Metluma exists so you can Press Play on menopause, your way.
A WORD FROM GEORGIE & DR. NIC
Accelerating Action has been the Metluma mantra around the office this month, as we take inspiration from this year’s International Women’s Day theme. And true to form, we’ve been busy putting that into practice.
In March alone, we hosted many client sessions for thousands of people – from fireside chats and webinars to masterclasses for women and men – partnering with some of Australia’s largest employers including Roche, AusGrid and Assure as well as Emergency Services Foundation which brought together 13 front-line member organisations across Fire, Ambulance and Police workforces. The engagement and feedback have been nothing short of inspiring, with teams embracing the call to better support women’s health in the workplace. There were moments of raw vulnerability as well as light bulbs going off for so many, realising they are not alone in their journey.
Involving men in the discussion is something we’ve been passionate about for some time. Male allies are a crucial piece of the puzzle. The session that really left an impact on me was our Menstruation to Menopause session for men. You can read more about it here.
We’re also deep in planning for our sold-out event, Menopause in Mudgee next Thursday 3rd April, where we’re bringing trusted experts to regional Australia to tackle access barriers head-on and hosting a screening of M-Factor The Documentary. This new model of care, in collaboration with Blooms The Chemist, marks a major step in bringing evidence-based, compassionate menopause care to women outside metro areas.
And in a HUGE milestone, we officially launched our UMA40 Symptom Tracker, a first-of-its-kind digital tool that helps women better understand and take control of their peri-/menopause journeys. It’s all about data-driven empowerment – and early feedback tells us it’s already making a difference.
Happy reading!
Georgie & Nic
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WHAT’S HOT: Metluma launches UMA40 symptom tracker
We’re excited to officially announce the launch of UMA40 – the ultimate health tracker for women 40+. Menopause isn’t one-size-fits-all, but you don’t have to navigate it blindly. UMA40 is Metluma’s evidence-based health tracker that helps you monitor symptoms, understand your health, and get personalised, science-backed recommendations – in just five minutes.
Why Track Your Symptoms?
Peri-/menopause symptoms can be unpredictable and change overtime – tracking with UMA40 helps you:
✔️ Recognise patterns in your sleep, energy, and wellbeing
✔️ Receive your UMAScore – a personalised breakdown of symptom levels
✔️ Assess mental wellbeing with the Meno-D (you can read more about that here)
✔️ Know when to seek medical advice
✔️ Discover evidence-based solutions tailored to you with access to Metluma doctors, personalised care plans, workshops and more
Start Tracking Today
Peri-/menopause shouldn’t be a guessing game. The sooner you track, the sooner you take control. Start now.
NEW RESEARCH: Women in Regional and Remote Areas Experience Worse Menopause Symptoms
Menopause is a universal experience, but not all women have equal access to the care they need. Research shows that women in regional and remote areas face more severe menopause symptoms due to limited healthcare access, fewer specialist providers, and a lack of community support.
The Healthcare Gap in Regional Australia
“Women in regional areas are being failed by a healthcare system that isn’t built for them,” says Dr. Nicole Avard, Metluma’s Medical Director and practising Menopause GP. With fewer GPs and specialists available, many women suffer in silence, enduring debilitating symptoms without guidance on treatment options. Often travelling hundreds of kilometres to access care.
The barriers include:
✔️ Long wait times for GP appointments
✔️ Limited specialist care for menopause-related issues
✔️ A lack of community awareness leading to stigma and misinformation
Breaking the Silence: Menopause in Mudgee
We’ve taken on the challenge of helping to overcome some of these issues! On April 3rd, 2025, the Menopause in Mudgee event – hosted by Metluma and Herbs of Gold – aims to change the narrative and reality for the local community. Bringing expert insights, real talk, and practical solutions, this event is about empowering women with the knowledge they need.
“DR NIC WILL SEE YOU NOW” – MENOPAUSE SYMPTOM SPOTLIGHT
Menopause & Sleep: The 3 AM Party You Didn’t RSVP To
You’re wrecked. You finally crawl into bed, desperate for sleep… and then BAM – your body decides it’s time to party at 3 AM. Welcome to the peri-/menopause sleep struggle, where fluctuating hormones, night sweats, and anxiety hijack your REM cycle like an uninvited guest.
What’s Actually Going On?
As oestrogen and progesterone plummet, your body’s temperature regulation, stress response, and melatonin production go rogue. The result? Restless nights, random wake-ups, and the cruel joke of feeling like you’ve run a marathon—without the endorphin high.
How to Take Back Control
You can’t stop hormonal shifts, but you can set the stage for better sleep. Here’s how:
✔️ Cool it down – Lower the bedroom temp and invest in moisture-wicking bedding. Hot flushes? Not tonight.
✔️ Power down – No screens an hour before bed. Doom-scrolling TikTok isn’t helping.
✔️ Smart supplements – Magnesium and melatonin might be your new besties. Check with your GP first.
✔️ Hormone timing matters – If you’re on progesterone therapy, switching to evening doses could help. Again, GP chat required.
✔️ CBT for sleep? – Worth investigating. It’s been shown to improve sleep quality.
✔️ Caffeine curfew – No coffee after lunch. Brutal, but necessary.
Peri-/menopause doesn’t get to steal your sleep forever. The more you understand what’s happening, the more you can work with your body, not against it.
🔥HOT TAKES 🔥
Check your scripts!
If you’re looking to take advantage of the new, more affordable pricing for MHT therapies now listed on the PBS, make sure your script is dated AFTER 1st March 2025 to qualify. Need to speak with a doctor about a script? You can book here
Support for workplaces
Does your organisation partner with BUPA? If so, you could use BUPA Dollars to bring Metluma’s expert-led workplace programs to your team. Empower your people with the knowledge and support they need. Get in touch
Each month we share some of the articles we’ve been clicking on.
Check out the latest below:
Study Urges Tailored Use of MHT – The One Size Fits All Approach Doesn’t Cut It
Oprah’s Menopause Revolution: The Must-Watch Special Breaking the Silence
Naomi Watts on Menopause: “It’s Not the End – It’s a New Beginning”
Big Tech Censoring Women’s Health Advertising: Why You Should be Angry About It
