Half of all women who have experienced the menopause said that it had a substantial effect of their lives and just over half of women over 35 consider themselves informed about the menopause, research has found.
The Menopause and Me report was published by Minister for Health Mary Harney this morning
The
Menopause and Me
report, described as the largest body of research on the matter ever carried out in Ireland, was carried out by the Women’s Health Council and published by Minister for Health Mary Harney today.
Some 59 per cent of women aged 35-54 said they wanted more information on the menopause. Just 8 per cent said the menopause had “no effect” on their lives.
The top four menopause symptoms were hot flushes, night sweats, irritability and mood swings.
According to the research, the majority of women found it difficult to identify when exactly their menopause began. Two in every three women aged 40 and over attended their GP to confirm their menopausal status.
Hormone replacement therapy remains the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. A total of 19 per cent, or nearly one in five, menopausal women in Ireland are using or have used HRT. The majority of these women (69 per cent) used the treatment for less than four years.
Medical research conducted as part of the survey found evidence that regular, moderate physical activity may relieve symptoms and that women with a normal weight have fewer hot flushes than those who are overweight.
“However, excessive drinking and smoking increases the likelihood of hot flushes. In general health terms, the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease increases after the menopause and a healthy diet and regular physical activity helps to reduce these risks,” the report said.
It also found that while the overall evidence on the effectiveness of complementary therapies is limited, there are some indications that acupuncture and homeopathy may help relieve symptoms.
There was little scientific evidence to support the use of over-the-counter complementary therapies for menopausal symptoms, despite growing public interest in their use.
Men were found to have a very low level of knowledge about the menopause, with more than half of them claiming women experience no symptoms during the menopause or that they did not know of any symptoms.
The researchers found there is “a significant information gap in terms of the public’s knowledge and understanding of the menopause”.
Director of the Women’s Health Council Geraldine Luddy, said that as the menopause is a major event in woman’s life, it is important that women are well informed and supported.
“GPs play a key role in providing services, but there is a need for more up-to-date information on the menopause and increased awareness of services," she said.
The council has launched a website at www.whc.ie/menopause. Information booklets will also shortly be distributed through GPs surgeries.