Educating women is only the first step – employers are also critical, says Eleanor Nouhov. Plus Laura Collins on getting help for her perimenopause struggles and Helen Hucker on the need for more targeted treatment
I’ve been waiting for this view (Doctors warn against over-medicalising menopause after UK criticism, 15 June) to appear since the menopause conversation really started in earnest last year. I heard on Woman’s Hour last week that the menopause has been mentioned in a parliamentary debate 20 times; hunting more than 400. For an experience that affects 50% of the population, it’s about time that it was discussed at length.
Women aren’t stupid – what they want is to be well-informed. Telling someone the symptoms to look out for in a balanced way, and empowering women to have an informed conversation with their GP, are paramount. Unfortunately, there have been too many examples of GPs dismissing women’s situations and overprescribing antidepressants.
