Surgical Menopause New Zealand Trust

We’re proud to announce the release of our first Surgical Menopause NZ Trust survey report! The survey was conducted between October 2022 and March 2023, prior to the formal establishment of the Surgical Menopause NZ Trust. This important document shares the experiences of people across Aotearoa New Zealand who underwent surgical menopause, highlighting their healthcare journeys and the long-term impact on their lives.

Key findings include:

• Inadequate Information Before and After Surgery: Many respondents felt unprepared for the physical and emotional changes following surgery. Difficulty accessing clear, reliable information about hormone therapy (HRT) and symptom management reflects an urgent need for better educational resources.
• Lack of Emotional Support: An majority of respondents were not offered counselling services before or after surgery, pointing to a significant mental health support gap.
• Heavy Reliance on GPs for Long-Term Care: Satisfaction with general practitioners varied, emphasising the need for better education and training for healthcare providers to improve outcomes.
• Challenges in Treatment Management and Follow-Up Care: Striking the right balance in treatment has been a significant challenge for many respondents, with ongoing struggles impacting their quality of life and long-term health.
• Impact on Relationships and Careers: Surgical menopause significantly affected personal relationships and professional lives, indicating the broad, life-changing consequences that need better support structures.

These findings highlight critical gaps in care that must be addressed to improve long-term health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated and shared their experiences—your voices are the foundation of change.

Next steps:
We’ll continue advocating for improved surgical menopause care and plan to conduct a follow-up survey with a larger sample. We’re already looking ahead to creating an updated version of this survey with a larger sample size, and your feedback is invaluable. Let us know your thoughts so we can craft the next edition to better reflect the needs and experiences of our community.

Read the full report:

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can create a better future for women navigating surgical menopause.

Ngā mihi nui,
The Team at Surgical Menopause NZ Trust