Stats from the British Menopause Society (BMS) on menopausal symptoms
- 50% of women say their home life is impacted
- More than 1/3 say their work life is impacted
- 42% have an average of 7 symptoms which are much worse than anticipated
- 36% say their social lives are impacted
- 50% of menopausal women who have experienced symptoms over the past 10 years, have not consulted a health professional
Every one of us will be affected at some point by the top to toe refurb otherwise known as menopause, that every woman goes through – whether husbands, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, children, other relatives, colleagues, neighbours or any other human.
While some women have little to no symptoms, and some manage to gain the appropriate medical support promptly, many do not. A fact that has been acknowledged by the medical profession who subsequently introduced mandatory training for Gp’s, on Menopause, in 2024. This delay despite women making up half the population. However while the lateness of this beggars belief, even late, slow progress is still progress.
I was recently reminded of the fact that many women still struggle alone with menopausal symptoms. They often wrongly believe that everyone else is coping and they should be too. Some women are coping whether because they don’t experience such debilitating symptoms or have secured helpful support. But for many, the symptoms are so debilitating as to stop some previously high-flying career women from working at all.
This is clearly an unacceptable reality but one that requires all to participate in changing the tide. This includes women who are not suffering in menopause, accepting that others may have a very different experience. It is unhelpful and unkind to dismiss the experience of a woman struggling with menopause if this is not your own experience.
It was a conversation I had with a local woman who was starting on HRT, that compelled me to write this. Personally, it took me three years of fighting for help to find the excellent GP who is now walking and supporting me through everything menopause related. But just because I’m now being helped and supported doesn’t mean this is true for all. The conversation I had, re-ignited my passion for the injustice of so many women still suffering with symptoms and still struggling to access appropriate support and help.
As taken from the Balance-Menopause website, the latest research conducted by researchers at the Liverpool Moores University and Newson Research, states …
‘Suicide rates among women aged 45–55, the age when perimenopause and menopause typically happens, are notably higher, which could potentially be linked to hormonal fluctuations that affect mood regulation. Despite this, little qualitative research has been carried on the relationship between perimenopause, menopause and mental health challenges, including suicidality.
Researchers at the Liverpool John Moores University and Newson Research spoke to 42 women who experienced suicidal thoughts or mental health problems during perimenopause. Women reported varying degrees of suicidality, from abstract thoughts to suicide attempts, and feelings of hopelessness and entrapment were identified as common triggers.
Other findings from the research, which included interviews with women from the Newson Clinic and the general population, included:
- Delays in receiving appropriate hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and misdiagnoses, such as being prescribed antidepressants instead of HRT, worsened symptoms
- Women reported significant improvements in mental wellbeing after receiving timely HRT
- Support from loved ones and colleagues, and lifestyle changes were also identified as beneficial.
Researchers concluded that better understanding, quicker access to hormone treatment and more support from health professionals could save lives, and that more open conversations are needed.’
For more expert facts, stats and advice, try Dr Louise Newson for her Balance FB page. This offers expert opinions, and includes an App to track cycles and symptoms. This app can support us women to capture and convey symptoms, to share with a Gp, which in turn helps them to prescribe the most helpful treatment. There is an informative an helpful article in the library of The Balance-Menopause website, which gives details on how best to approach a Gp appointment.
For readers, I recommend, ‘Older and wider’, by Jenny Éclair (hilarious) and, ‘What is wrong with me?’, by Lorraine Candy (encouraging). For those preferring TV or podcasts, all things Davinia McCall.
Menopause is when a woman has had no period for over twelve months. Perimenopause is the time preceding this when periods may change by becoming lighter/shorter/heavier/erratic/different. Our system may then start to malfunction in multiple ways as hormones are connected to most parts of the body’s functioning, stretching way beyond hot flushes.
What I wish I had known before entering perimenopause is, 1) it existed, 2) that it can start in the 40’s (earlier for some), 3) that a basic level of menopause training has only been included in Gp’s training since 2024, 4) to trust ourselves as we are the expert on our own body and therefore to persevere until finding a Gp who has had, or sought Menopause training, or a Menopause Nurse, who listens, understands and helps. There are some excellent and suitably trained medical professionals in the NHS so for those of us who can’t afford to go private, don’t give up until you find one.
Perimenopause is like a top to toe refurbishment that changes the body from being able to house a growing baby, to not. Some lucky women have no symptoms (trying not to be envious), some have a few and some of us have tons!
The symptoms that may be experienced range from; anxiety/depression (try oestrogen before anti-depressants in line with NICE recommendations), fatigue, sleeplessness, brain fog, difficulty making decisions (even what to wear/eat), forgetting words/trains of thought, walking in to things (regular bruising), losing things (especially the plot), rage (Tourette’s style swearing), tearfulness, nausea, joint pain and many more.
As a Christian, I’ve had a few choice conversations with the Almighty about how he didn’t come down here in a female body!
These symptoms can be hugely debilitating which does NOT mean we are weak, failing or ‘should’ be ok. Every woman’s body is different in experience, as well as in what helps or hinders it. Furthermore, the latest research shows that history plays a role as symptoms may be exacerbated by childhood trauma (Adverse Childhood Experience ACE), long covid (proven to impact ovaries, thus hormones), stress and neurodivergence. When any/all of these are present, the risk of burnout also increases.
However, don’t despair, if you want to know you are not going mad, or alone, there is an extremely friendly Menopause group who meet bimonthly in Ruth’s Café, Stotfold.
Vicky Sharpe, who runs a Physiotherapy clinic, Physio Health Hub, hosts The Menopause Café as a welcoming space to chat, share experiences and support one another through the menopause journey. The café opens at 7.30pm with a speaker on a specialist subject starting at 8pm and closing at 9pm. The next meeting is Wednesday 24th September with a menopause coach, speaking. Anyone is welcome to come along.