Irish women, who are now living considerably longer, need to be more aware of the health problems that arise after the menopause, it was stated yesterday.
Irish women's knowledge of post-menopausal health is very low, according to Dr Miriam Wiley, head of health policy at the ESRI, who heads a women's health advisory committee to raise awareness on the issue.
The guide contains practical advice on prevention and early detection of major health risks for diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease and breast cancer.
Dr Wiley said it was "extraordinary" how little women knew or were told about menopause. At one information day a woman in her 40s asked what the menopause was and why she should be concerned about it. Another woman had lost 81/2 inches in height and had suffered multiple fractures over years, but it was only recently that anyone had mentioned osteoporosis to her.
"It has been a bit of a taboo subject and there has not been a lot of discussion. There has been an improvement but it is very gradual. You are dealing with women who are now in their 50s and 60s, but when they were in their 20s they were not being told about the dangers of smoking, or the importance of calcium. It was family first and mother last." The booklet contains a checklist for women to assess and identify the areas of health they should focus on and which they may wish to discuss with their GP.
Dr Maire Milner, consultant gynaecologist at Cavan General Hospital, said the guide was an important step in providing Irish women with the necessary knowledge to motivate them to take control of their health and minimise the risk of developing life-threatening conditions.
Geraldine Plunkett, the actress who plays Mary in Glenroe, said the guide concentrated on the practical steps one could take to maintain good health and wellbeing. "As a woman in my 50s, I found the information extremely useful."
Further information on the guide can be obtained by contacting Lilly Women's Health Bureau, Huguenot House, 35 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, telephone 01 678 9333.