nib New Zealand unveils health initiative to support women navigating menopause

nib New Zealand unveils health initiative to support women navigating menopause | Insurance Business New Zealand

Life & Health

nib New Zealand unveils health initiative to support women navigating menopause

Programme launched as over 4,000 women in NZ are unaware of symptoms

Life & Health

By
Roxanne Libatique

nib New Zealand (nib NZ) has launched a new health management initiative called “nib meno care” aimed at supporting women through the stages of perimenopause and menopause.

The programme, which debuted on World Menopause Day, was developed in collaboration with Dr Linda Dear (pictured), founder of Menodoctor, a specialist in menopause care.

What to expect from nib meno care

The new programme offers nib members access to expert advice on managing menopause symptoms and improving overall health outcomes. It covers various topics, including lifestyle adjustments, natural remedies, and available medical treatments.

Dear, who has extensive experience in menopause management, said that education and proper support can significantly improve women’s quality of life during this life stage.

“Despite menopause being an inevitable life stage for women, it’s still considered taboo and is often overlooked in public conversation. This lack of acknowledgement can leave many feeling isolated during a time where physical health and emotional wellbeing are impacted for many going through menopause,” she said.

Women in New Zealand unaware of menopause symptoms

A survey conducted by Dear in 2023 with 4,288 women in New Zealand revealed that 64% were unaware their symptoms were linked to menopause.

According to the survey, common issues include sleep disturbances, weight gain, night sweats, and psychological symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety.

Dear pointed out that menopause is often overlooked in public conversations, which can leave women feeling isolated as they cope with the physical and mental health impacts.

“Each woman’s experience is unique, and it’s essential that menopause care reflects this individuality. We want to help women effectively manage their symptoms so they can continue doing the things they love,” she said.

nib’s chief medical officer, Dr Rob McGrath, noted that the programme adds to the insurer’s existing range of health services, which include cancer screening and weight management.

“nib has a suite of support tools available for its eligible members, spanning bowel cancer screening to weight management support. These programmes aim to help members be proactive with their health to not only reduce health risks, but also promote long-term wellbeing,” he said.

He said that the new programme aims to provide personalised support, allowing women to manage their symptoms with expert guidance.

“Menopause is a personal journey, and no two women experience it the same way. That’s why we wanted to develop a tool to help women manage their symptoms on their own terms by making expert support easy to access and apply,” McGrath said.

The nib meno care programme is available to members via the “my nib NZ” app.

The programme’s launch follows the introduction of nib NZ’s AI-powered symptom checker designed to help members more easily navigate the healthcare system. The tool, accessible through the “my nib” app, allows users to input symptoms and receive guidance on the appropriate care path, which may involve seeing a general practitioner (GP), using telehealth services, or managing symptoms at home.