Why More Women Are Turning to Naturopaths for Midlife Health — Even as BHRT Becomes PBS-Listed
For years, women navigating perimenopause were told to “tough it out” or handed a prescription with little time to explore the bigger picture. That’s changing. More women are now looking beyond one-size-fits-all fixes — and often turning to naturopaths for answers.
At the same time, the Federal Government has made a big move: bio-identical hormone therapy (BHRT) is now subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making these medicines far more affordable. So why are women still walking into naturopathic clinics in record numbers?
The PBS BHRT Pack: What Changed
From March 2025, three popular BHRT options — Estrogel Pro, Estrogel, and Prometrium — were added to the PBS for the first time in two decades.
Women who once paid over $650 per year out of pocket for modern hormone therapy now pay a much smaller co-payment: $7.70 for concession holders or $31.60 for general patients.
The change recognises the huge demand for updated menopause care and is a welcome relief for many.
But while affordability is no longer the biggest barrier, women still face side effects and gaps in support that drive them to seek more personalised, holistic care.
When Pharmaceuticals Aren’t Enough
Hormone therapy can be life-changing — but it isn’t a silver bullet. Women often report challenges such as:
Weight gain or fluid retention
Mood changes, anxiety, or sleep disturbance
Libido changes
Headaches or breast tenderness
For some, these side effects mean they discontinue treatment early. For others, hormone therapy is not an option at all due to medical contraindications.
This is where naturopathy steps in — not as an ‘alternative’, but as a complement.
The Switch to Naturopaths
Women are increasingly choosing naturopaths for:
Time and space — extended consults that dig deeper into symptoms and history.
Root-cause focus — exploring gut health, nutrient deficiencies, circadian rhythms, and stress pathways that influence perimenopause.
Natural supports — tailored nutrition, herbal medicine (e.g., saffron for mood, black cohosh for hot flushes), sleep hygiene, and detox pathways.
Personalisation — advice that takes into account each woman’s unique lifestyle, genetics, and preferences.
Building a Collaborative Care Team
One of the strongest trends in women’s health is collaboration. Many naturopaths now actively work alongside GPs and specialists to create an integrated plan.
Referral pathways: Naturopaths can encourage blood tests, imaging, or PBS scripts through a GP when needed.
Shared care: If a woman is prescribed BHRT, her naturopath may support with nutrition and liver detoxification pathways to improve tolerance and reduce side effects.
Bridging the gaps: Lifestyle, sleep, stress, and dietary strategies often fall outside rushed medical consults — naturopaths fill this space, ensuring nothing gets missed.
The result? Women feel like they have a team working with them, not just a prescription handed over the desk.
The Takeaway
The inclusion of BHRT on the PBS is a breakthrough moment in women’s health. But it’s not the whole story. For many women, optimal care comes from blending the best of both worlds: medical prescriptions where appropriate, and naturopathic support to address the bigger picture.
Perimenopause doesn’t have to be endured — it can be navigated with clarity, support, and empowerment. And when doctors and naturopaths collaborate, women finally get the comprehensive, personalised care they deserve.
4 Questions to Ask Your Care Team
Am I eligible for PBS-subsidised BHRT — and what side effects should I watch for?
What lifestyle or dietary strategies could help me alongside medication?
How can my GP and naturopath work together to support me?
What regular checks (bloods, symptoms, bone density) should I schedule to track progress?
