Louise Newson’s Post

Proud to support #MM40PLUS Understanding the Importance of Including #Menopause in Over-40 Health Checks. Menopause is a significant transition in a woman's life, typically beginning in the mid-forties, but it can start earlier. The transition, known as #perimenopause, leads to menopause, which is marked by the cessation of menstrual periods for 12 months. Post-menopause follows, continuing for the rest of a woman's life. Recognising the onset of menopause is crucial due to its subtle symptoms, which can significantly impact quality of life and long-term health. Despite the critical importance of managing menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, the NHS health check offered to women over the age of 40 in the UK does not currently contain information about this time of life. This oversight leaves millions of women uninformed about an event that can significantly impact their quality of life in the long and the short term. Moreover, the absence of education and effective management strategies can exacerbate the associated symptoms. Therefore, we respectfully lobby for the inclusion of menopause information in these health checks provided by the National Health Service. The health and well-being of many UK women depend on this necessary support. Join us in advocating for this vital change, and sign the petition today. https://lnkd.in/d57dTBD9

Looking forward to discussing the alignment of Healthspan with Lifespan in (peri-) menopausal women and the diagnostic guidance for safe and potentially extended treatment. Explore more details of the event by clicking the link below. https://lnkd.in/eWJ_7sTj #Healthspan #Lifespan #Menopause #WomensHealth #healthylongevity

I'm still seeing a lot of discussion on my newsfeed about HRT.   These conversations are important, but we must not let them take focus away from our key principles as clinicians.   The NHS provision of care is far from consistent. Like other areas of reproductive health within the NHS, menopause care is overburdened and underfunded. Menopause can put a huge burden on individuals and a financial burden on workplaces and our economy. But the basics of menopause care are very simple - and it starts with listening.   Let's focus on individual needs rather than treatments. Not every woman will want or need hormone replacement therapy and for the majority of women, HRT is straightforward.   We need to be working to a system where the vast majority of menopause care is taken away from menopause specialists and provided by allied healthcare professionals, such as specialist nurses and pharmacists. Complex menopause care makes up the minority of cases and fast access to specialists needs to be streamlined. Let's continue to open up conversations about menopause, and about HRT, but let's make sure we're listening to what individuals need rather than who is offering it.

We know that there are worrying disparities and health inequities when it comes to menopause care. Health inequalities in menopause care stem from a range of social, economic, medical, spiritual and cultural factors. This highlights once again the need for greater awareness, education, and inclusivity in menopausal care for all people, regardless of their ethnicity or gender. Culturally competent care relies on all health professionals recognising the differences in how menopausal people present so that all feel understood, respected, and receive the most appropriate treatment for them. It also relies on clinical trials that include people of different ethnicities. Overall, the decision to use or not use HRT among different ethnicities is shaped by a complex mix of factors. Efforts to promote culturally competent care and improve access to reliable information will help bridge these gaps. Whether you choose to use HRT or not, every person deserves to have all the options for treatment discussed and all myths busted. Wonderful work is being done by Blackfemaledrsuk BFDUK Dr. Aziza Sesay Dr Yansie Rolston DrShoCares fiona clark Itunuoluwa Johnson-Sogbetun Dawn Heels Sheree Hargreaves Dr Wendy Molefi Nitu Bajekal

These findings are not surprising, sadly, and we know the reasons why. It’s time to take concrete actions to address the inequalities; whether HRT is desired or not. As individuals we need to empower ourselves with knowledge and advocate for ourselves and others. As communities we need to speak more openly so that young girls and boys grow up knowing the facts and women are not ashamed to seek help. As healthcare professionals we need to educate ourselves on the cultural differences and nuances that determine how women from ethnic backgrounds experience the menopause. It goes without saying that more research and resources are needed to ensure there is better understanding of these issues. Now, let’s get to work people! We need to work together. #menopause #menopausecare #worldmenopausemonth #equityinmenopause

In my work as a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist, I see women every day who are going through menopause and perimenopause. Every woman’s experience is unique and for those who need support they should be getting it. It shouldn’t matter who you are, where you live, or what kind or job you have – women need support through perimenopause and menopause. Our GPs need more time for female patients to support complex quality menopause care. Longer appointments are needed to adequately assess the complexity of symptoms but also to consider preventative care and risk screening. But then of course, when you look at women’s healthcare the out-of-pocket health expenses for women are, in general, higher than for men and it is a significant barrier for women to get equitable healthcare. In our submission today, the AMA has called for action to improve equality for women who are suffering from menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms in Australia. We know our GPs want to provide good quality health care. We need an action plan now so the health system and our doctors can support them.    Don't let this be a taboo, let's start talking about it. 

“My health, my right” theme encompasses all people, all ethnicities all genders and calls for review of health-related policies worldwide. "With the recent shift in the media, science and culture menopause began to be better understood and is slowly leaving the shade of taboo in the past. With nearly four million women in the menopausal age in the UK, the UK government appointed Helen Tomlinson as the Government's Menopause Employment Champion as of 6 March 2023 to raise awareness and drive menopause-friendly policies within the workplace. On 1 April 2023 the government also introduced Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) prescription prepayment certificate which allows women to access effective treatment for menopausal symptoms in the form of HRT for just £19.30 per year as opposed to each prescription payment, which currently stands at £9.56 per item. This policy makes the HRT available to more women and reduces the cost as one of the barriers to essential healthcare. Both governmental initiatives are great examples of making menopause care more accessible and available. They can serve as inspiration to other healthcare systems." - Elzbieta Augustyniak Sunday 07 April was #WorldHealthDay. At the WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training, Imperial College London we join Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the World Health Organization to call on all people to demand #MyHealthMyRight!   #uhc #sdg #sdgs #sdg3 #healthpromotion #globalhealth #healthforall #genderequity #menopause #menopauseawareness #womenshealth #HRT #imperialcollegelondon

According to a Senate inquiry examining menopause in Australia, women are being routinely let down by the healthcare system. The governments own senators have called on their colleagues in cabinet to respond swiftly and deliver overdue change for women and for medical students to get far more education on perimenopause and menopause. Come on uk! Australia are so ahead of the game, we need to play catch up and quickly. Stop menopausal symptoms affecting the careers of thousands of women. #menopause #perimenopause #postmenopause #menopausesymptoms #menopauseatwork #menopausesupport #help

We know that 1 in 10 women leave their jobs due to menopausal symptoms. It’s important for employers to support women in this situation, not penalise them. #menopause #menopausehealth #menopausesupport #menopauseintheworkplace #menopauseawareness #perimenopause #perimenopausesupport #perimenopausehealth

Nearly 90% of women will seek support from a healthcare provider to help manage menopausal symptoms.1 In this webinar, women’s health expert and integrative OBGYN, Dr. Felice Gersh+, will describe her four-step approach to supporting comfort during the menopausal transition and promoting healthy aging for many years.  Register here: 🔗https://bit.ly/3XoDt4s #PureEncapsulations #Webinar #Menopause