Huge knowledge gaps around menopause and perimenopause are leaving doctors unable to help patients manage their symptoms but new clinical guidelines will aim to change that.

On World Menopause Day, the federal government announced it would open the tender process to develop the national guidelines to improve health outcomes for women in diagnosis, treatment and care.

Women typically enter menopause between 45 and 60 years of age and perimenopause - which precedes it - can start in their 30s and last up to 10 years.

Yet health professionals can lack confidence in advising patients how to appropriately manage symptoms, particularly in terms of menopausal hormone therapy.

This can lead to delays and inconsistencies in diagnosis and management and poorer health outcomes.

"While there is p

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