On Menopause Awareness Day, Ms Radhika Padmagirison, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, stressed the importance of discussing symptoms, which are frequently dismissed or considered taboo. Many women feel embarrassed to discuss Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or worry about side effects and cancer risks, a sentiment potentially amplified across different ethnic backgrounds beyond Caucasians.
Ms Padmagirison noted that women often apologise for bringing up the menopause, laugh it off, or believe they are simply 'coping badly'. This awkwardness contributes to the problem, preventing individuals from seeking necessary help. Menopause, defined by the cessation of periods due to reduced oestrogen production, typically occurs around age 51 in the UK, but symptoms can begin years earlier during perimenopause.
Perimenopause can start in the 40s, sometimes earlier, and menopause can affect individuals under 40, including after surgery or cancer treatment. Symptoms extend beyond well-known hot flushes and night sweats to include poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, irritability, brain fog, joint pain, and changes in confidence. Vaginal dryness, pain during sex, and bladder problems are also common but less frequently mentioned due to embarrassment.
These symptoms can significantly impact work, relationships, and self-esteem, yet many feel compelled to 'just get on with it'. The NHS offers support, usually beginning with a GP conversation. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms rather than blood tests, with HRT being a highly effective treatment for many, now understood to be safer than previously.
For those unable or unwilling to use HRT, non-hormonal treatments and supportive options are available and can be discussed with a GP. Breaking the menopause taboo requires open conversations in clinics, at home, among friends, and at work. With informed discussions and NHS support, individuals can navigate menopause confidently.
