Attitudes towards menopause aren’t improving, and women of all ages feel unprepared and uninformed. Here’s what the research says, and what we can do about it.
Research by Living360 has revealed that 95% of UK women want better menopause education.
Out of the 627 women surveyed, the majority are unsure of what to expect with the onset of menopause (70%) and the majority are unclear about what healthcare choices are available — with women in perimenopause and postmenopause continuing to not know (63.1% and 64.2% respectively).
Even with increased media coverage and celebrities discussing menopause more, negativity surrounding the subject continues to increase. Not only do young women today feel more negative about menopause than those before them, but negative perceptions about the topic tend to increase from the start of perimenopause through to postmenopause.
So, what can be done for women currently experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or postmenopause?
Perimenopause symptoms can continue into postmenopausal life, so going forward this article will refer to all stages as menopause.
Read more: Perimenopause vs menopause and everything you need to know about ‘the change’
Healthcare vs holistic treatments
“Women struggle to be heard when trying to seek medical help within the NHS,” says menopause and women’s health expert Dr Shirin Lakhani. “Women are left to feel as though they’re being ‘fobbed off’ or dismissed as difficult when trying to seek help for themselves.”
She encourages women to “advocate for themselves” and continue to push for better support from their doctors. So, what does that look like?
While HRT is commonly prescribed, there are other options for treating menopause. However, while antidepressants can sometimes be beneficial, Dr Louise Newson says: “Menopause guidelines are clear that antidepressants shouldn’t be used as first-line treatment for the low mood associated with perimenopause and menopause.
“This is because there’s no evidence that they actually help psychological symptoms of the menopause.”
It can also be helpful to consider holistic and alternative therapies for menopause, some of which can be available on the NHS (such as acupuncture).
Dr Lakhani offers some advice: “If you feel you’re not being taken seriously by your healthcare provider, you can always look for another doctor for a second opinion.
“If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t need to stay with them. Find someone who will take your concerns seriously.”
Read more: Women are feeling increasingly negative towards menopause — here’s how to improve your experience
Research and discussion
To advocate for yourself, you first need to understand the subject. From perimenopause to postmenopause and the 34 symptoms women may experience, it’s important to take the time to research this stage of life so you can understand what’s happening in your body and your mind, and push your GP for the support you need.
Talking to other women and hearing their stories can also be extremely helpful, and therapeutic. The Menopause Charity offers community support through expert advice and sharing women’s stories, while Menopause Support has a variety of free resources to help you understand the menopause.
Diet and exercise
During menopause, women’s bone density and muscle mass decreases, heart health can sometimes be impacted and many women report weight gain and low mood. All of these symptoms can be improved through exercise.
Some symptoms of menopause can be supported with the right nutrition, too.
In Japan, fewer women experience hot flushes (25-50%) compared to 80% in the UK. They also have lower rates of health conditions often reported after menopause, including heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast cancer. Many people theorise that this is due to the Japanese diet which is rich in gut-friendly foods as well as soy and calcium. So tailoring your diet for menopause may be beneficial.
Menopause supplements can also help ensure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals your changing body needs alongside your diet.
