You could be going through the menopause for YEARS without getting help these are the signs… – The Sun

WOMEN are going through the menopause for years before receiving the help they need, a shocking survey has revealed.

Symptoms of hot flushes, fatigue and depression can be managed. But many women are not getting access to drugs.

3

Some women said they had visited their GP several times without any progress.

The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally due to depleting levels of oestrogen.

But the hormone rollercoaster that comes with it leaves women with debilitating symptoms for up to several years.

These can start years before periods stop, known as the perimenopause, meaning some women may not even realise it's due to the menopause.

On top of this, campaigners say GPs are not trained sufficiently to spot the signs or treat women appropriately.

Menopause is a natural part of ageing, which usually happens when a woman is between the age of 45 and 55.

In the UK, the average age for a woman to go through menopause is 51, but it can start as early as the 30s.

The severity of menopausal symptoms can vary depending on the individual.

They can range from mild to significantly interrupting your daily routine.

Menopausal symptoms can start months or years before your periods stop, and can last until four years or longer after your last period.

Symptoms include:

The new survey, carried out for menopause medic Dr Louise Newson, who runs the not-for-profit Newson Health Research And Education, highlights the delays women face.

Of the 5,187 women surveyed, the majority (74 per cent) had been experiencing menopausal symptoms for more than a year, while 15 per cent said this had been the case for more than six years.

Some 79 per cent of women had visited a GP with their symptoms.

A shocking seven per cent attended more than 10 times before receiving adequate help or advice.

Some 27 per cent of women said they had also seen more than three doctors in hospital about their symptoms, even though in most cases, they can be managed by a GP.

Of those who did undergo treatment (33 per cent of all the women surveyed), 44 per cent had waited at least one year, and 12 per cent had waited more than five years.

3

Of those given treatment, 37 per cent of women received hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and 23 per cent were given antidepressants.

Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) saying women should not be prescribed antidepressants for symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.

Dr Newson said: This is a huge waste of NHS resources, including increasing the strain and workload to primary care not to mention womens time.

Since May of this year, we are seeing a greater appetite from medical professionals, especially in primary care, to learn more about managing the menopause. This cant come soon enough for women who are struggling.

A separate survey of 1,096 women by Mumsnet and Gransnet found that 14 per cent have found it difficult to get their GP to prescribe HRT.

Dr Edward Morris, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said: It is saddening to see the ongoing challenges that women are experiencing in the diagnosis and treatment of the menopause.

There is no one size that fits all when it comes to the menopause. This is why it is crucial that women have access to reliable, accurate education and information so they are made aware of the options available and can make informed choices about their health.

While access may vary, we want to reassure women that most GPs are very experienced in offering menopause care, and can refer women to specialist menopause services where necessary.

Originally posted here:
You could be going through the menopause for YEARS without getting help these are the signs... - The Sun