Supportive, evidence-based care for individuals navigating perimenopause and menopause.
Perimenopause and menopause can bring a range of physical and emotional changes that affect women differently and often evolve over time. For some women, symptoms may be mild, while others may notice changes that begin to impact sleep, mood, concentration, energy levels and overall wellbeing.
At South Melbourne Medical Hub, our experienced women’s health GPs provide personalised menopause care in a calm, respectful and supportive environment.
Understanding Perimenopause & Menopause
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause and can begin several years before a woman’s final menstrual period, often during her 40s. During this time, hormone levels fluctuate and women may begin to experience changes to their menstrual cycle, sleep, mood and overall wellbeing.
Menopause is reached when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. In Australia, the average age of menopause is around 51 years.
Every woman’s experience is different. Some women experience only mild symptoms, while others may find these changes begin to affect their daily life, relationships and wellbeing.
Common Symptoms & Concerns
Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can vary significantly between women and may change over time.
Our GPs commonly support women experiencing:
- Changes to menstrual cycles
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Sleep difficulties and fatigue
- Mood changes and anxiety
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Headaches and joint aches
- Weight and metabolism changes
- Reduced libido
- Vaginal and sexual health concerns
- Changes to confidence and wellbeing
If you are unsure whether hormonal changes may be contributing to symptoms you are experiencing, speaking with your GP may help provide clarity and support.
Our Approach to Care
We understand this stage of life can sometimes feel confusing, frustrating or difficult to navigate alone.
Our approach focuses on:
- Listening carefully to your concerns and experiences
- Providing clear and practical information
- Exploring evidence-based treatment options
- Supporting long-term health and wellbeing
- Offering continuity of care over time
Management plans are tailored to each individual woman and may include:
- Lifestyle and preventative health support
- Hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options
- Sleep and mood support
- Sexual and vaginal health support
- Ongoing monitoring and review
- Broader women’s health and wellbeing care
Our goal is to help women feel informed, supported and confident in their healthcare decisions without feeling overwhelmed.
Inclusive & Personalised Care
Every person’s experience of perimenopause and menopause is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to care.
While menopause is most commonly discussed in relation to women’s health, we recognise that transgender, non-binary and intersex people may also experience menopause and hormonal changes in different ways and may have unique healthcare needs and experiences.
Our approach focuses on respectful, personalised and evidence-based care tailored to each individual’s symptoms, health history, goals, preferences and circumstances. We recognise that hormonal experiences, treatment considerations and healthcare needs can vary significantly from person to person.
We aim to provide a supportive environment where patients feel listened to, informed and comfortable discussing their healthcare concerns.
We aim to provide a supportive environment where patients feel listened to, informed and comfortable discussing their healthcare concerns.
Your Menopause Care Journey
Initial Menopause Consultation
Initial menopause consultations are longer appointments designed to allow time for a detailed discussion about your symptoms, health history, concerns and goals.
Your consultation may include:
- Review of symptoms and menstrual history
- Discussion of hormonal changes and menopause-related symptoms
- Lifestyle and preventative health assessment
- Discussion of treatment and management options
- Relevant investigations where appropriate
- Development of a personalised management plan
Eligible patients may also complete a subsidised health assessment or preventative health screening where appropriate.
Follow-Up Menopause Consultations
Follow-up appointments allow time to review your progress, discuss any changes to symptoms and adjust your management plan as needed.
These appointments may include:
- Symptom review
- Medication or HRT review
- Discussion of investigation results
- Ongoing support and management planning
- Preventative health monitoring
Menopause care is often an ongoing journey rather than a single appointment, and continuity of care is an important part of our approach.
Annual Review & Long-Term Health
Women receiving ongoing menopause care may benefit from annual reviews to reassess symptoms, treatment plans and broader health considerations including:
- Bone health
- Cardiovascular health
- Sleep and mental wellbeing
- Preventative health screening
Eligible patients may also complete subsidised Health Assessments where appropriate.
Experienced Women’s Health GPs
Our menopause consultations are provided by experienced GPs with additional training and a strong interest in menopause and women’s health.
Dr Emma Hattle
Dr Emma Hattle is a UK and Australian-qualified General Practitioner with a strong interest in women’s health, including menopause and perimenopause care, family planning and shared maternity care.
With over a decade of medical experience across the UK and Australia, Emma is passionate about providing supportive, evidence-based care that helps patients feel informed, heard and confident in their healthcare decisions.
Emma completed her Menopause Care Professional Certificate and has been providing dedicated menopause consultations at South Melbourne Medical Hub alongside her broader women’s health services.
She is a member of:
- The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
- The Royal College of General Practitioners UK (RCGP)
- The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)
- The British Menopause Society
- The Australasian Menopause Society
- The Primary Care Women’s Health Society
Emma values creating a calm, respectful and supportive environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their health concerns. She takes pride in providing thoughtful, down-to-earth care and building strong, long-term relationships with her patients.
Dr Magdalena (Mags) Matthew
Dr Magdalena (Mags) Matthews completed her medical training in Slovakia before moving to the UK, where she undertook General Practice training and achieved Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK) in 2012. Since moving to Australia in 2014, she has also been awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Mags has a strong interest in women’s health and provides supportive, personalised care across all stages of life, including perimenopause and menopause care. She values building long-term relationships with her patients and helping women feel informed, comfortable and supported in their healthcare decisions.
Alongside her clinical work, Mags enjoys teaching medical students and sharing her passion for general practice with the next generation of doctors.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog and running.
Fees & Appointments
Menopause consultations are longer appointments designed to allow adequate time for assessment, discussion and personalised care planning.
Initial Menopause Consultation
- 30-minute GP consultation
- Additional nurse assessment where appropriate
- Medicare rebates may apply
Follow-Up Menopause Consultations
- Ongoing review and management
- Investigation and treatment review
- Symptom monitoring and support
Please view the billing table below, and contact our reception team for more information.
| Consult | Duration | Full Fee | Rebate | Out of pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Menopause Consultation Fee | 30 minutes + 15-min nurse pre-screen | $250 | $82.90 | $167.10 |
| 6 week follow up | 15 minutes | Bulk Billed | Bulk Billed | Bulk Billed |
| 3 month follow up | 15 minutes | $98 | $42.85 | $55.15 |
| 1 year Ongoing review & management | 15 minutes | $98 | $42.85 | $55.15 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and symptoms may occur. Menopause is reached when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.
Common symptoms may include hot flushes, sleep difficulties, fatigue, mood changes, anxiety, brain fog, headaches, joint aches and changes to menstrual cycles.
Perimenopause commonly begins during a woman’s 40s, although symptoms and timing can vary significantly between individuals.
Hormone testing is not always required. Your GP may recommend investigations depending on your age, symptoms and medical history.
Treatment options may include lifestyle support, hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, sleep and mood support, and preventative health care tailored to your individual needs.
Many women have concerns about HRT due to conflicting or outdated information. Current evidence shows that for many women, HRT can be a safe and effective treatment option for managing menopause symptoms, particularly when started around the time of menopause.
Suitability depends on your individual health history, symptoms and preferences, and your GP will discuss the potential benefits, risks and available options with you.
Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can contribute to sleep difficulties, anxiety, mood changes, fatigue and brain fog.
Yes. Pregnancy can still occur during perimenopause, even if periods become irregular, so contraception may still be required.
Initial menopause consultations are longer appointments designed to allow time for comprehensive assessment and personalised care planning.
Follow-up consultations are often recommended to review symptoms, monitor treatment response and support ongoing care.
Medicare rebates may apply to eligible consultations. Please contact our reception team for current fee information.
We recognise there is no one-size-fits-all approach to menopause care and aim to provide respectful, personalised and evidence-based support tailored to each individual’s needs.
The GPs’ approach is centred around personalised, evidence-based care, taking the time to understand your symptoms, concerns and goals, and work with you to develop a management plan that feels right for you. Depending on your needs, this may include lifestyle support, hormonal or non-hormonal treatment options, preventative health care and ongoing review.
Yes. Every person’s experience of perimenopause and menopause is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to care. Your GP will consider your symptoms, medical history, health goals and preferences when discussing treatment and management options.
Yes. Treatment options may include lifestyle support, hormonal therapies, non-hormonal treatments, sleep and mood support, sexual health support and preventative healthcare. Your GP will discuss the options most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Yes. While menopause is most commonly discussed in relation to women’s health, we recognise that transgender, non-binary and intersex people may also experience menopause and hormonal changes in different ways. We aim to provide respectful, personalised and evidence-based care tailored to each individual’s needs and circumstances
Book an Appointment
If you are experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, or would like to support understanding changes you may be experiencing, appointments are available with our experienced women’s health GPs.