When Ballina GP Dr Emma Harvey’s mother began struggling through menopause, she turned to her daughter for answers.

But despite years of medical training, Dr Harvey (pictured above) found herself unable to provide these answers.

“As a GP, I was surprised by how ill-equipped I felt to answer them,” Dr Harvey said.

That moment would ultimately lead Dr Harvey to establish one of Australia’s few dedicated menopause clinics – right here in Ballina.

Today, the Remi Menopause Clinic, based at the Ballina Health Centre in Tamar Street, is helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through specialised, evidence-based care – a service still uncommon in Australia, particularly outside major cities.

Dr Harvey said her mother’s experience prompted her to take a deep dive into the latest menopause research while she was on maternity leave.

“Around this time, I was on maternity leave so decided to do a deep dive into the latest menopause research and education,” she said.

When she returned to general practice, she began routinely asking women over 40 about their periods and hormones.

The responses surprised her.

“I was astonished by how many women were experiencing symptoms of perimenopause without recognising what was happening,” she said.

“Many had been seeking help for years without joining the dots.”

Dr Harvey said women spend around a third of their lives in perimenopause and menopause, yet many remain unaware that symptoms extend far beyond hot flushes.

“While hot flushes are well known, hormonal changes can also affect sleep, mood, anxiety, concentration, energy levels, sexual wellbeing, bladder health, joint pain and long-term health risks such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease,” she said.

Many women, she said, spend years searching for answers.

“Many women tell us they’ve seen multiple health professionals before realising their symptoms may be related to perimenopause,” Dr Harvey said.

“Remi was created to provide evidence-based, dedicated menopause care and to help women navigate this stage of life with confidence.”

Dr Harvey, who is based in Ballina, has since assembled a collective of female doctors at the clinic, all of whom are specialist GPs who have undertaken additional training in menopause medicine.

The clinic offers both in-person and telehealth consultations, helping women understand their symptoms, discuss lifestyle strategies and review treatment options, including hormone therapy where appropriate.

“We help women understand their symptoms, discuss lifestyle strategies, review treatment options including hormone therapy where appropriate, and address concerns such as sleep, mood, sexual health, weight changes and long-term health risks,” Dr Harvey said.

“Our goal is not only to help women feel better now, but also to support healthy ageing and reduce the risk of future chronic disease.”

Women can access the clinic without a referral, although Dr Harvey said the service aims to work alongside patients’ regular doctors.

“Although women can access our services without a referral, our preference is to work collaboratively with patients’ usual GP and other healthcare providers,” she said.

The clinic has recently secured funding from the North Coast Primary Health Network to trial an early intervention program for eligible local women considered at higher risk of chronic disease.

“We’re excited that Remi has recently received Primary Health Network funding to deliver a pilot program for eligible local women at higher risk of chronic disease,” Dr Harvey said.

“The project will explore whether earlier access to specialised menopause care can improve health outcomes and help prevent future chronic illness.”

Recognising the lack of specialised services nationwide, Dr Harvey also co-founded Healthy Hormones, a digital platform designed to support both women and healthcare professionals.

The free Healthy Hormones app provides women with evidence-based information, expert-led events, educational resources and access to clinicians with additional menopause training.

“We also have a separate clinician community where doctors and other health professionals can discuss cases, share knowledge and stay up to date with the latest evidence in menopause care through CPD-eligible events, courses and our annual conference,” she said.

For Dr Harvey, one of the most important aspects of menopause care is helping women understand what is happening in their bodies.

“Many women tell us they thought they were developing anxiety, depression, burnout, dementia or simply ‘not coping’ before learning their symptoms were related to hormonal changes,” she said.

“Symptoms can affect relationships, confidence, work performance, sleep and overall quality of life.

“When women understand what’s happening and receive appropriate support, the difference can be life-changing.”

Remi Menopause Clinic can be contacted on 02 6610 9547. Medicare rebates are available for eligible consultations.