Thousands of women over the age of 60 years of age may be suffering the devastating effects of menopause unnecessarily due to confusion and lack of understanding around starting HRT.
Dr Deirdre Forde, Founder of Céile Medical in Athlone, the first dedicated Menopause Clinic in the Midlands, says she is speaking out on the issue as she is deeply concerned about the mental health impacts that untreated menopause is having on women in this age cohort.
“I recently saw a woman who had admitted herself to a psychiatric hospital as she was in an absolutely desperate state and genuinely thought she was having a breakdown as her GP refused to allow her continue her HRT. She had been prescribed it by a consultant psychiatrist when she was admitted to a psychiatric unit after having a total hysterectomy which involved removing her womb and both ovaries at the age of 40.
“She had no idea whatsoever that she was still going through her menopause and didn’t connect the awful symptoms she was experiencing with it at all. She came to me in absolute despair as she thought it was too late for her to restart her HRT as it is still couched in mystery for so many.
“Menopause and the older woman is a huge issue. There’s still a lot of misinformation around the Menopause itself and HRT and so many women in their late 50s and early 60s are genuinely suffering unnecessarily. There are still glaring gaps in information in the medical profession around menopause, and it is true to say that not all GP’s are ‘authorities’ on this stage of a woman’s life.
“There is typically a ten year ‘window’ from when a woman has her last period in which she can go on to use HRT, or 10 years since she was last on HRT and wants to restart it, but this is just a ‘guide’ per se and like everything in life, all women are different, and this is key. I cannot overstate this. Yes, HRT is not suitable for some women, but the vast majority can use it safely and effectively.
“More and more research is being undertaken now around HRT and its safety and huge strides have been made. Once a woman has no history of breast cancer, I will happily put her on HRT when I have conducted thorough medical checks and continue to monitor her. There are different forms of HRT, and it can be as simple as finding the right one for women over the age of 60.
“Untreated menopause is seismic; the mood swings can be absolutely horrendous and can cause even the most mild-mannered woman to snap, literally. What is basically a hormonal imbalance can wreak havoc with women’s personalities and a simple course of HRT can change a woman’s life.
“The change it makes to a woman’s life is simply incredible and it is crucial that women in the 60 year old cohort know that this can be for them also.
“The message has to go out that a healthy woman can safely commence HRT over the age of 60. This can be the age when a woman really comes into ‘her own’; childbearing and rearing is over, she may have financial freedom, may have retired form paid work and has years and years of life ahead of her. Untreated Menopause simply cannot be allowed to throw all this on its head and cause totally unnecessary and untold suffering.
“I am determined to inform the women of Ireland as I hate to see unnecessary suffering and with the right treatment women going through all stages of menopause can blossom. It can be a wonderful time of freedom for them.
“In Japan, menopause is known as the ‘Second Spring’ which I think is lovely; it conjures up renewal, regeneration and revitalisation and that is what I am really hoping for our menopausal women in Ireland.
“Menopause MATTERS and we need to talk about it, deal with it and grow with it. It’s vital to keep the conversation going and share as much information as possible with the women of Ireland,” Dr Forde stated.
