The peri and post-menopausal stages of life, currently experienced by more than 150k women in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, can have a big impact on their daily lives, relationships, social lives, family lives and work.
From changes in mood to memory or concentration problems, hot flushes, sleeping difficulties, aches and pains and changes in body shape and weight gain, it can be a challenging time for many women.
More help is now at hand through a series of menopause groups, clinics and support services across the patch.
In Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville, a Saturday clinic has helped more than 350 patients in its first 10 months through a specialist pharmacist-led menopause service which has freed up hundreds of GP appointments.
The clinic has a 97% satisfaction rate with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
“Very informative consultation with the menopause specialist. He was very thorough and extremely diligent and helpful, answering any questions I had.”
“This service makes life much easier when struggling.”
“The pharmacist was friendly, informative and potentially is about to give me back some quality of life.”
In Loughborough, hugely popular sessions launched in November for women to learn more about the right types of exercise to help with symptoms during the perimenopause and menopause.
Women in the city are also benefiting from support groups in Braunstone where they can share their challenges and access guidance about how to live well through the menopause
The voluntary sector has been crucial in the expansion of support and services. The Menopause Awareness Raising Service is working with primary and secondary care, businesses and community groups to raise awareness of menopause and create a ‘menopause aware’ culture.
Active Together is supporting GPs and pharmacists with advice around physical activities that help relieve menopause symptoms. “My patients have found the booklets very useful as the tips can relate to their daily lives. The information is simplified and accessible,” said one GP.
Melanie Thwaites, Head of Women’s, Maternity and Neonatal Transformation at NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB, said:
“The menopause impacts women in different ways and for some, that impact is huge affecting their personal relationships and working lives.
“Whilst we are at the start of this process, we are pleased to see that the offer of some fantastic groups and clinics are available and having a positive impact.
“We still have some way to go, and we will start to listen to what women want from the services already in place, as well as our wider population through an engagement plan, in order for us to shape future menopause services for women. Through doing so, we will ensure our top priority remains to meet the needs of our population and develop services which are strengthened and expanded in the future.”