Third of women in the North West concerned with ability to cope with life due to menopause related symptoms

Women in the North West get little support, advice or treatment for symptoms relating to menopause and hormonal changes, according to new research out today (Friday 17 October), resulting in one in five (20 per cent) saying they are struggling to cope with aspects of life due to their symptoms.

Almost half (46 per cent) of women with symptoms said they feel depressed, while 30 per cent said they suffer from anxiety. Despite this, over two thirds (65 per cent) of women in the region questioned say there is a general lack of support or advice for those going through the menopause.

Women in the workplace fare even worse in the region; a massive 73 per cent of female workers suffering symptoms said they feel unsupported at work, even though almost one in five (18 per cent) say their symptoms have a detrimental effect on their work. More than one in ten (11 per cent) women said they have even considered quitting their job.

The findings are from research carried out by not-for-profit healthcare provider, Nuffield Health, who questioned 164 women in the North West aged between 40 and 65. The figures formed part of wider research which studied over 3200 women across the UK.

Dr Julie Ayres, Specialist in Menopause and PMS at Nuffield Health, said: “Menopause is a condition which is often dismissed as part of life, and not something to be taken seriously, but for many women the symptoms are significant and can have an extreme impact on their life. Many feel anxious, confused, depressed and exhausted to the point where they are struggling to cope with daily routine.

The menopause is not something that just happens to women in their 50s, it can affect those in their late 30s through to late 60s. These women can suffer in silence for years when they could have been benefitting from personalised advice or support to help them understand what is going on.”

The survey also flags up a number of barriers that menopause experts say may be causing thousands of women across the UK to miss out on advice, management strategies or treatment which could significantly improve their quality of life.

Despite reporting symptoms like joint and muscle ache, hot flushes, irregular periods, night sweats, mood swings and poor memory, almost half (46 per cent) of women in the region questioned failed to recognise they could be experiencing symptoms linked to the menopause, with almost the same number (44 per cent) mistakenly believing they are too young or too old for symptoms. A quarter simply put it down to stress.

Four in ten women sought help from a GP. However, 40 per cent of those who did so said the possibility of the symptoms being menopause related failed to come up.

Despite recent evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can significantly improve quality of life for many women, as well as protecting younger women from long term diseases including osteoporosis, 36 per cent of women who visited a GP were not made aware of hormone replacement therapy. In total, just a quarter (25 per cent) who visited a GP were prescribed HRT. One in five were told HRT was unsuitable for them, while 14 per cent said they turned it down due to the belief that it is dangerous.

Dr Julie Ayres said: Increasingly evidence shows appropriate hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to be suitable for many women, with far less risks than previously thought. The options should be carefully explained to each individual woman, in light of her own risks, future goals and the quality of life she is experiencing. It is absolutely shocking that large numbers of women are getting no help at all.”

The research suggests that despite the sheer numbers of women dealing with symptoms of hormone change and menopause, the subject remains taboo in the workplace. A staggering nine out of ten (93 per cent) said they felt unable to talk to a manager or colleague at work. However, one in five (20 per cent) said they have needed to take time off work.

Dr Ayres added: “The issue needs to be dragged into the 21stcentury. Increasingly employers are beginning to take employee health and wellbeing seriously, with numerous initiatives to help improve health and fitness, yet clearly the menopause remains a taboo subject. Until we highlight the subject and try to tackle some of the difficulties that women are facing at work, we stand to lose experienced and talented women who should be at the peak of their career rather than facing forced retirement or feeling alienated.

“I have many patients who couldn’t cope with work without hormone replacement therapy and wouldn’t even contemplate stopping until they retire. Any woman struggling in the workplace should seek help and look at the numerous options available.”