The menopause is becoming one of those subjects we are hearing more about now than ever before. I spoke to Doctor Holly Vaughan from The Wye Clinic, a British Menopause Society approved clinic in Hereford, to find out more about how they help and how we can better understand women who are going through the menopause: 

“I think it’s becoming more socially acceptable to talk about stereotypically taboo subjects such as the menopause. Women have always had menopause problems, but suffered in silence. It’s wrecked marriages and careers, and the suicide rates are very high among women in this category, which is why we are here to help. 

“There are so many myths about the menopause, such as you can’t have menopausal symptoms if you’re still having periods, it makes you gain weight, it happens in your 50’s and you’ll have it at the same age that your mum did. 

“The menopause is actually only one day in your life, twelve months after your last period. We prefer to use the term peri-menopause which encapsulates the whole process, and can last eight to ten years. The average age of women affected by the menopause is 51, but it can happen at any age. One in 100 women experience it under 40 years old. 

“Oestrogen affects every part of a woman’s body, and so when a woman starts to lose that oestrogen the symptoms can impact her from head to toe: brain fog, dry skin, burning mouth, aches and pains, irritability, poor sleep, anxiety, and vaginal dryness to name just a few. 

“At The Wye Clinic we help women cope with the menopause. One of the best ways to combat many of the symptoms is through making better lifestyle choices, such as a healthier diet, lowering your alcohol and caffeine intake, and exercising more.  

 “Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is another strategy we recommend. Most women need two hormones in their HRT – oestrogen (which treats the symptoms and makes them feel better) and progesterone (to balance the oestrogen and make the medication safe). It comes in tablet form and trans-dermal form (through the skin) or a combination of both. 

 “There is also non-hormonal based medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), both of which can be effective in treating the patient as a whole. 

“We find the best way to deal with the menopause is purely based on the individual and their needs, as we take a holistic view, because it impacts people in different ways. 

“It can be tough for the partners and families of the women, and so I would advise them to be patient, flexible and make sure she seeks professional help. It’s a very confusing time, most women don’t know what or why this is happening to them and so it’s important for the family to be supportive. We like to encourage patients to bring their partners with them to their appointments so that we can explain it to them together and help them through this difficult time of life.” 

By Lucy Rabone

For more information about The Wye Clinic visit: www.thewyeclinic.com