Menopause Awareness Month
The theme for World Menopause Day 2024 is Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT).
The vision of the white paper published (13th Sept 2024) by the International Menopause Society (IMS) is that all women across the world will have easy and equitable access to evidence-based knowledge and health care, empowering them to make fully informed midlife health choices. The aim of this White Paper is to provide a well-balanced educational narrative of the menopause and menopause hormone therapy (MHT) from experts, leading into World Menopause Day on the 18th October 2024.
Menopause has been in the news this week with the BBC Panorama documentary which investigates “Meno washing” and the over-prescription of HRT.
HRT has been a major topic of discussion for many years, with its use increasing by 29% up to 2023. While this growth indicates positive outcomes for many, the documentary highlights a concerning aspect.
As a MEG champion I stand by informed choice, and that is only possible through trusted, accurate knowledge and education.
We all know, HRT is only safe when used at the prescribed levels. However, there is still much to learn about the long-term effects of increased or prolonged use. Research in this area is ongoing, and it is essential to acknowledge that we do not yet fully understand the broader implications for women’s health beyond current guidelines.
I myself have been taking HRT for the past 5 years and have had many benefits. But as a MEG champion I must remain impartial. As a champion my role is to guide and support women in exploring all their options, remembering that some may not wish to take pharmaceutical drugs, while others may not be able to.
MEG remains committed to offering credible, compassionate advice. We recognise that this documentary may cause confusion, fear, and concern, especially for those who have placed their trust in healthcare professionals who may now be under scrutiny.
My role as a champion is not only to guide women in making informed choices about treatments like HRT but also to help them navigate the broader landscape of menopause-related products with confidence.
The IMS White Paper lays the groundwork for the forthcoming updated IMS recommendations on menopause and will act as a blueprint for the future ethical management of menopause from practical and aspirational perspectives.
Below is a link to the White Paper which covers the dosage recommendations should you wish to read more. I will also be posting more information during this Menopause Awareness Month.
If you are concerned or worried please do contact me for support on your journey. You’ve got this, look at what you can do to stay in control. Be kind to yourself because you are amazing.
Lorraine Sherrard is a Director of Sherrards and Sherrards Occupational Health and is a highly experienced HR Consultant. Having joined the team in 2004, she has worked on a wide range of HR initiatives with many clients over the past 20 years.
Lorraine is also a Licensed Menopause Champion as certified by Menopause Experts Group (MEG).
As a behavioural coach in QTT™ (Quantum Thinking Transformation™), Lorraine can work with individuals who are finding themselves stuck or in need of guidance and support. QTT incorporates fundamentals of positive psychology, neuroscience, and neuro linguistics. The approach empowers clients with a toolkit of techniques, methods, and processes for dealing with life’s challenges as well as optimising life’s opportunities.
Lorraine can also deliver a range of Menopause Awareness Training Programmes to your management team and employees across the business. Training programmes and workshops can be delivered to tie in notable dates such as International Women’s Day, Menopause Awareness Day, or even key internal events clients already have scheduled to take place.
If you would like further information on the support Lorraine can provide or our Menopause training options, please email academy@sherrardslaw.com or call the office on 01273 834120 to talk to a member of our team.
International Menopause Society (IMS) White Paper
British Menopause Society statement following the BBC Panorama Programme
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