...................Morgan Harper Nichols
I watched an interesting programme on TV the other evening. Sex, Myths and the Menopause. It aired on Channel 4. There were some very interesting facts highlighted. Though they were British based information and facts I imagine that the general issues touched upon in the programme are true for many women in many countries.
Some of the issues highlighted were the lack of support for menopausal women, lack of information, fear of HRT and lack of workplace policies to help working women during the Menopause. With 13 million menopausal women in the UK there are only 97 Menopause Clinics. This means many women don't have access to the help and support they need during this inevitable life changing stage of a woman's life. This can be said of many countries around the world. Here in Ireland for instance there is only one dedicated Menopause clinic. The Menopause Hub Clinic in Dublin. In a country as large as India is there are a handful of Menopause clinics now open.
This very important stage in every woman's life should be openly acknowledged and catered to with physical support and emotional support. At the end of the day if women are not supported with understanding, information and medication when necessary there will be a much greater problem and burden on the health care system. The Menopause is not just about hot flashes and mood swings. It is complex and the Post Menopause brings health risks that come with age and the decline of oestrogen in the body such as osteoporosis, mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and Alzheimers disease. Oestrogen provides protection as a muscle relaxant and improves heart function, promotes growth and repair of neurons, promotes the absorbtion of nutrients and regulates the metabolism. There needs to be an approach to the Menopause which relieves women's symptoms and prevents the development of associated conditions.
Education is key to tackling this issue. Open discussion with constructive solutions are what is necessary. Recognising the symptoms of Peri Menopause can help women identify what they are going through and seek help early on. So many women seemed to suffer blaming themselves when the changes such as mood swings, anxiety and brain fog impacted their lives at home and at work. According to the study done for the programme 9 out of 10 women felt the Menopause had a negative impact on their working lives. Lack of concentration and brain fog were real issues. It said that 1 in 10 companies implement some Menopausal policy now. This is definitely a step in the right direction.
In the UK one in three women do not visit the doctor about the Menopause. But the sales of Menopause supplements in stores such as Holland and Barret and Boots has increased by 50-60%. Only 10% of women take HRT this is due to lack of support and information. A new study done in 2015, which now forms the basis for the British Medical Society guidelines on risk in the 50-59 year age group, found that the risk of breast cancer for women taking HRT was 4 in 1000. Compare that to the number that will contract breast cancer regardless of lifestyle which is 23 in 1000. Those who drink alcohol the number rises to 28 in 1000. For those who are obese the number doubles to 56 in 1000. There was much negative and inaccurate information earlier about HRT which turned many women off taking it and this will take some time to change. The recent studies show that the risks of taking HRT are small and are usually outweighed by the benefits according to the NHS UK. As always consulting a doctor on the risks and benefits is advisable. There are different types and doses so it is very much based on individual needs.
A change of lifestyle and exercise are things that we can all do to help ourselves in this stage of our lives. The benefits of taking care of yourself at this stage are well worth the effort.
Exercise not only changes your body. It changes your mind, your attitude and your mood......Lauren Gleisberg
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