New resources aim to make menstrual health conversations safer for Aboriginal women
28 Sep 2026
The resources were developed through research led by Dr Talila Milroy, a Yindjibarndi and Palyku GP, researcher and lecturer. Her PhD research looked at how Aboriginal women understand and manage menstrual health when accessing primary care.
The project has produced two posters for healthcare waiting areas and three pamphlets covering different stages of reproductive health: getting a first period, periods after pregnancy and menopause.
Dr Milroy hopes the resources will encourage women to feel more comfortable raising menstrual health concerns with their healthcare providers.
The materials were developed alongside Babbingur Mia Maternal and Child Health Aboriginal Corporation in Rockingham, where Dr Milroy works. They were launched on 11 September during Women’s Health Week.
The response from the local community has been positive, with women saying they wished similar information had been available when they were younger.
For Dr Milroy, community involvement was an important part of the project. The resources were based on research involving a review of existing menstrual health information and discussions with women through two yarning groups at Babbingur Mia.
Women helped shape the content
The yarning groups began with topics about menstruation and menstrual health, but participants were also able to guide the discussions towards issues that mattered to them.
Dr Milroy then took the findings to an advisory group to check that the women's experiences and views had been represented accurately.
Local artist Erika Fernandez was also involved in the co-design process. The group worked with her to explore suitable colours, images and other visual elements for the resources.
Existing resources, including materials from other countri
es, were also reviewed during the design process to explore different approaches.
The finished materials reflect the local community and its preferences. Dr Milroy said there is potential for the resources to be adapted for other Aboriginal communities, including through the use of different Aboriginal languages.
Resources to become available more widely
The posters and pamphlets are intended to be useful beyond the community where they were developed.
They will be available to download after the Babbingur Mia website is updated. In the meantime, general practices can contact Dr Milroy to request printed copies.
The project was another milestone for Dr Milroy in September. During the same week the resources were launched, she was named the 2026 Indigenous Doctor of the Year by the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association.
New resources aim to make menstrual health conversations safer for Aboriginal women
Source: newsGP