Menopause survey: 2021-22

Healthwatch Luton carried out a survey to look at the experiences of treatment and care of individuals who had been or were going through the menopause, and what they felt they needed more support in.

The results highlighted six main themes as follows:

• Stigma - the subject of the menopause appears to still be a taboo subject. There is not enough conversation about menopause and the different symptoms people can have.
• Knowledge - it was felt there was not enough knowledge by professionals and employers alike, as well as individuals not knowing what to expect.
• Understanding - women felt that there was not enough understanding from their peers, workplace, friends and family about the menopause and how it was affecting their daily lives, including their careers and relationships.
• Lack of equal access – depending on where people live in the county, there is a disparity of the services available.
• Working - a high number of women felt their working life was affected by the menopause and there was not enough support in the workplace for them. It was felt there was a pressure to reduce hours or retire because of menopause on the individuals.
• Medication - HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) isn't easily available and the side effects aren’t widely discussed or known. There was very little or no information about other treatment options.

The report makes recommendations based on the findings to improve understanding of menopause and access to treat its symptoms.