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Researchers at Monash University have created the world's first toolkit designed for GPs to use with women from the age of 40, according to a new study. Researchers said the toolkit has the potential to help manage menopausal conditions for women globally. 

The Practitioner Toolkit for Managing the Menopause includes a diagnostic tool and a compendium of approved hormone therapies. 

For developing the diagnostic tool, researchers combined existing research on menopause, diagnostic algorithms and extensive clinical experience. Researchers added that apart from GP surgery, the tool would also work through a patient's medical history and risk factors to arrive at the best treatment solution. 

"There are many detailed guidelines available on menopause but the reality is that most GPs don't have the time to work through a 40 page report when they only have 5 or 10 minutes with a patient," said Professor Susan Davis of the research team from the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, in the press release.

"Based on feedback from patients and doctors we realized there's widespread confusion, not only in how to determine when menopause starts but also prescribing appropriate treatment to help with side effects.

With many recent medical graduates receiving little training in this area, we realized there was a clear need for simple and practical guidelines," she added.

The new tool has been described in the journal Climacteric.