Central Coast Stories Podcast Episode 8

Welcome back to Central Coast Stories.  I am sorry it has been awhile between episodes but welcome to the new season of Central Coast Stories.  I am a journalist and your host Kayleen Bell.

Today’s guest is Dr Kelly Teagle.  Dr Kelly Teagle is from Canberra but I caught up with her at lovely Umina Beach.  She was one of the speakers at a Women’s Health Forum organised by Dr Gordon Reid the member for Robertson.  I will tell you more about the Women’s Health Forum in the next episode.  But I caught up with Dr Teagle just before the event and we discuss the Women’s Health Forum but we also mainly talk about the story of WellFemme.

And WellFemme is a Telehealth menopause clinic providing evidence-based menopause information and treatment in collaboration with a woman’s usual GP.  WellFemme are made up of a collective of GP’s who care about menopause and peri-menopause.  WellFemme was founded in late 2018 by Dr Kelly Teagle, a GP specialising in women’s health based in Canberra.

Dr Teagle became very interested in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and ironically at the age of 42 she experienced an early menopause herself.  Her symptoms were debilitating, but very responsive to treatment, which led her to realise the importance of getting access to timely advice and care during menopause.  She also noticed that her services could be largely delivered just by talking to women.  And so the idea for a Telehealth menopause clinic was born.  This is a national Telehealth menopause clinic. 

The WellFemme website states that currently in Australia there are hundreds of thousands of women suffering with significant untreated menopausal symptoms.  One reason that women are having to put up with debilitating symptoms is a lack of access to health care providers with expertise in managing perimenopause and menopause.  This is particularly problematic for women in regional, rural and remote areas who have limited choice of health care providers.  And Well Femme’s vision is to ensure that all Australian women have access to evidence-based menopause and perimenopause care, and there is a website www.wellfemme.com.au and they also have a Facebook page as well.  They provide information for women and also for GP’s.

Dr Kelly Teagle recently attended an unprecedented event that was held at Parliament House which she will talk about in today’s interview.  This was an event that was held on the 7/3/2023 the Menopause Matters Parliamentary Roundtable. The speakers were united in calling for the development of a National menopause action plan and you will hear Dr Teagle talk about that in today’s discussion.  And Dr Kelly Teagle wrote a submission on behalf of WellFemme and you can read what she wrote on the WellFemme website in the blog section.  And if you are not sure if telehealth is for you, you can actually do a free trial consultation and that is available to help you find out how WellFemme can help with your menopausal symptoms. 

Today’s episode is really a discussion about women’s health and menopause but it is certainly by no means a replacement for women seeking their own medical care, and also if you are in crisis please contact Lifeline on 131144 or as well in NSW the Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Blog Post by Dr Kelly Teagle on WellFemme website re Menopause Matters Parliamentary Roundtable

https://wellfemme.com.au/menopause-matters-parliamentary-round-table/