Mayo welcome for menopause awareness campaign

A Mayo Oireahctas member has as today welcomed the launch of a government awareness campaign for menopause by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

The campaign is a direct response to the demand from Irish women for greater knowledge and understanding of menopause as well as better access to accurate information and supports so that they can proactively manage their experience.

It will increase awareness of menopause and the symptoms associated with it and encourage open conversation to reduce the stigma associated with this phase of life.

New research commissioned by the Department of Health to inform the campaign has highlighted that:

•Three quarters of women over the age of 35 have either entered peri menopause (19%), are in menopause (18%) or have completed menopause (37%)

•Women in menopause report experiencing up to seven symptoms at any given time

•17% of women experiencing menopause have severe symptoms.

•52% of women currently in menopause describe it as a negative experience

•91% of women currently in menopause say they are experiencing constant or occasional symptoms

•More than half of Irish women report fatigue, lack of energy, insomnia, “brain fog”, changes in weight or body shape, and joint pain – as well as hot flushes and changes in periods

•86% of women say that menopause can have a big impact on their everyday lives

•28% of women in menopause say they would be happy to talk about it to their manager at work

Senator Lisa Chambers said: "The government listened to women across the country who have shared their experiences of menopause. These women had a clear ask which involved a change in the approach to supporting them.

"I'm proud to say that there has been huge investment, throughout 2021 and 2022, in women’s health with Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, securing funding for six specialist menopause clinics.

"Four of these menopause clinics are providing treatment for the 25% of women who need medical management of their menopause symptoms. Two further clinics are due to open before the end of the year.

"The Department of Health has developed gov.ie/menopause, a one stop shop for information about menopause and menopause symptoms, advice on proactive management, how to support someone going through menopause and links to appropriate clinical expertise.

"I am of the view that this campaign and website will empower everyone to open up the conversation around menopause and to eradicate any stigma or secrecy that’s associated with it, representing an important part of an integrated solution to delivering better health experiences for women before, during and after the menopause."