A recent study by Nuffield Health revealed that 67% of women felt there was little support for those going through menopause from health services, while 25% found their GP didn’t link their symptoms to the menopause at all.
A worrying notion, considering almost eight out of 10 of menopausal women are in work, according to the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Government Report on Menopause.
Early symptoms of the menopause are often overlooked or even worse, not recognised as being linked to certain cancers due to their similar early warning signs.
Many women are suffering in silence when it comes to menopause and are unaware of early symptoms and treatments that can help.
When doe s the menopause occur in women?
Usually, the menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
In the UK the average age is 51 according to the NHS, however, around one in 100 women experience the menopause before 40 years of age.
In a few exceptional cases women may become menopausal in their 30s, or even younger.
How HRT could help
HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, is medication that contains female hormones, which is said to help replace the oestrogen that your body stops making during menopause.
The Fawcett Society's Menopause In The Workplace report, published last week, found that three in 10 women have seen delays in diagnosis and only 40% were offered HRT in a timely fashion.
An earlier study suggested that over a third were being offered antidepressants for their symptoms, despite these not being recommended as first-line treatment.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said there is “no clear evidence” that they will help to “ease low mood in menopausal women who have not been diagnosed with depression”.
What are the symptoms of menapause?
According to pharmacist from Chemist Click, Abbas Kanani, common early symptoms of menopause may include:
- Irregular periods
- Decreased libido
- Uncomfortable sex
- Changes in mood
- Increase in cholesterol
- Hot flushes
Leading expert in women’s health and hormones, Nicki Williams lists lesser-known early symptoms which include:
- Breathlessness
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Chills
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Menopause and cancer
Symptoms of menopause can mimic the early warning signs of some gynaecologic cancers, warns Cancer.net.
The health charity continued: “The three most common gynaecologic cancers are uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer.
“Being aware of the similarities and differences in symptoms is critical so that concerning, or ‘red flag,’ symptoms of a potential underlying cancer are not ignored or misidentified as symptoms of menopause.”
