Specialised menopause healthcare should be rolled out under Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan – Dolan

Targeted menopause healthcare and increased awareness of symptoms and treatments should be available to access in primary care centres across the country as well as in the 18 new Sláintecare Healthy Communities, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a readily available treatment that can offer many women a lifeline during an incredibly difficult period, Senator Aisling Dolan said earlier today when speaking on the issue of menopause in the Seanad.

Senator Dolan said: “Last week, Joe Duffy on RTÉ Radio 1 offered a platform to Irish women to discuss their experiences of menopause. The conversation that unfolded stripped much of the stigma away as it helped lift a burden of silence off women across the country.

“The menopause is a normal life event for women, yet it’s something that’s rarely openly discussed. Relatively little is known by the general public about the range and severity of symptoms of menopause, and the way it can impact a woman’s life for up to 15 years in some cases.

“While the average stage for someone to go through the menopause is some time in their fifties, for some women it can start much earlier, with it beginning in their thirties. For example, chemotherapy is one treatment that can trigger early menopause in women.

“Some women suffer from restless leg syndrome, leaving them unable to sleep properly for years. Hormonal changes can trigger general aches and pains, brain fog, tiredness and irritable bowel syndrome. The loss of oestrogen can cause cardiovascular issues which can have an impact on bone and heart health. Some other women experience poor concentration, anxiety, and depression.

“We need to know that these symptoms aren’t abnormal. Due to a lack of information and awareness, many women suffer in silence. They do not realise how effective HRT or other therapies can be in not only dramatically improving their symptoms but also their quality of life and health.

“While it’s not a cure-all for everyone, HRT can be life-changing for many women. It’s a readily available treatment and is currently covered by the medical card.

“Our local doctors, GP practices, nurses and healthcare professionals can specialise in women’s health and be the first port of call to ensure that women receive the treatment they deserve.

“I know that many GPs and healthcare professionals are very active in this area, with some having attending workshops on menopause and HRT organised by the National Tutor network, but more needs to be done on a national level.

“We don’t currently have dedicated centres for Women’s Health in many parts of the country, especially in the West, which means that gender and geographical inequalities exist within our healthcare system.

“Through the recently announced Sláintecare Healthy Communities, we can develop resources to increase awareness amongst women and their partners about the symptoms of early or peri-menopause and encourage them to speak to their local GP to avail of treatment or therapies as needed.

“I am calling on Minister Frank Feighan to implement a suite of measures specifically targeted to treat the menopause under the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan. Measures such as information on symptoms, advice on treatments including HRT, and specialised training for community healthcare professionals to identify and treat early symptoms in primary care centres and the 18 new Sláintecare Healthy Communities planned across Ireland,” concluded Senator Dolan.

Following Senator Dolan’s contribution in the Seanad, Seanad House Leader Regina Doherty endorsed the call for a national menopause awareness campaign from the Department of Health. Senator Doherty noted that the conversation last week on RTÉ dispelled some of the myths around menopause and HRT. She also noted that a discussion on women’s health is pending in the Seanad.