The Menopause Revolution
Words: Jadesola Oginni
‘The menopause revolution will bring an end to women’s suffering’ – Caroyln Harris MP
Menopause is when regular monthly periods cease and is a natural part of a woman’s life. It marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and typically starts between 45-55 years of age. There are some exceptional cases where women experience menopause in their 30’s or even younger, which is often known as Premature Menopause. It is estimated that 63% of women are being negatively affected by their menopausal symptoms, preventing them from doing their normal activities. Menopause can be crippling for some and common symptoms often include hot flushes, night sweats, low sex drive, vaginal dryness and problems with memory and concentration. Carolyn Harris, a local MP, is amongst many women - such as Sophie, Countess of Wessex; Alexia Inge; Dr Shahzadi - working towards providing support for women who deal with menopausal symptoms within their day to day life.
On the 9th of June 2021 Carolyn Harris MP led a Westminster Hall debate on support for menopausal women and shared the experiences of women directly affected by this within their workplace, care settings and beyond. The stories were horrendous, with women spending large amounts of money on prescriptions that lacked the correct information and education from GP’s on the topic, and how they’ve felt discrimination within the workplace.
Whilst all women will experience menopause one day, it is important to understand that each experience will be different. Topics explored in the debate discussed the lack of education medical professionals have on menopause. It was estimated that 41% of professionals did not have menopausal education within their curriculum. This statistic is shocking, as half of the population will experience this at some point in their lives, and these individuals will require support and advice from medical professionals.
A significant proportion of women experience both physical and mental symptoms of menopause, and it is reported that almost 900,000 women within the United Kingdom have left their jobs due to menopausal symptoms. Shared experiences discussed the lack of workplace policies surrounding menopause and how this has negatively affected their working environment. Workplaces can help by offering counselling sessions within their benefits, adequate staff training and detailed policies to ensure safe and effective environments are in place for such women. Women shouldn’t feel inferior within the workplace because of menopausal symptoms.
Treatment is often offered if menopausal symptoms are interfering with everyday life. These include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and having a balanced diet and lifestyle. HRT is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms and it’s a way of replacing oestrogen which is lost during menopause. Many women find that purchasing HRT can cause a financial strain, as each supply can range from £8-14 each time. The menopause revolution is vital in ensuring fairness for women requiring additional backing. The retailer 'Timpson' announced on World Menopause day (18th October) that employees would now be able to claim prescription cost for HRT as a work expense. This is outstanding and already shows the progress within the workforce; we hope other employers will follow suit.
Inequalities within women’s care have been a long debate and there have been long-term commitments to reduce this and close the gap. Women are grateful that their experiences on menopause are now being heard and hope the government considers supporting them and bringing about change. The Government Equalities Office 2019 'roadmap' commits to conducting research into the improvement of women’s reproductive health across their life course and how to better support these women.