Ostrobothnia launches Finland’s first menopause counselling service

Ostrobothnia wellbeing services county will open Finland’s first counselling service dedicated to women of menopausal age in September, Yle reports. The service will initially operate as a pilot in Vaasa, Mustasaari, Malax and Korsnäs before expanding across the entire county in January 2027.

The service is intended to make it easier for women to receive public healthcare for menopause symptoms. Marjaana Carlsson, director of the service unit, said the pilot would help ensure that resources are sufficient while the county assesses demand.

“This is new for us as well, and we do not know how many people will contact us. It is easier to proceed step by step,” Carlsson told Swedish-language Yle.

Contact begins online

The counselling will operate as part of contraception and sexual health counselling. Customers will first fill in a form on the wellbeing services county’s website or contact the service through the ÖVPH mobile application. They will receive a response within a week.

Depending on the case, counselling will be provided by telephone or during an appointment with a public health nurse, midwife or doctor.

Symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause can include irregular periods, mood changes, anxiety, memory and concentration problems, sleep disorders, night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, reduced sexual desire, joint and muscle pain, headaches and weight gain.

Demand has emerged during other appointments

Women experiencing menopause-related problems have previously found it difficult to obtain public healthcare in Ostrobothnia. Carlsson said she and her colleagues had spent a long time considering how to respond to the need.

The demand has been particularly visible during appointments for HPV tests and cervical cancer screening. Many women have also used those visits to ask about menopause symptoms, but staff have had little time to provide information during the 15-minute appointments.

Finland’s Duodecim Medical Society published a national Current Care Guideline on menopause last year. Carlsson said the recommendations had significantly helped the county plan its new counselling service.

The guideline says menopause can usually be diagnosed based on typical symptoms, without laboratory or ultrasound examinations. Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment, although non-hormonal options are also available. Women experiencing disruptive symptoms should receive treatment or be directed to the appropriate service.