NEW RESEARCH FROM the Department of Health shows that 55% of women experiencing perimenopause and menopause describe it as a negative experience, with just 22% describing it as a positive experience. 

Perimenopause refers to the time during which a woman’s body makes the transition to menopause.

Data from the research shows that:

• Almost one in three (31%) of women 35+ years said they were currently going through perimenopause or menopause
• One in two (55%) women experiencing perimenopause or menopause describe it as a negative experience
• The average woman in menopause experiences up to seven symptoms at any given time
• One in three women in menopause say they have constant symptoms
• Only one in five (23%) women in menopause say they would be happy to talk about it to their manager at work
• The majority of people (93%) agree that menopause can have a big impact on a woman’s everyday life. 

Over 1,200 women reported that their most intense menopause symptoms were temperature changes (76%), changes in periods (73%), tiredness (72%), sleep issues (68%), changes in body shape (58%), cognitive issues (56%), mood changes (54%) and joint pain (53%).

The research also showed that if a woman experiences a symptom frequently, she is very likely to say it has a severe impact on her quality of life.

The top pieces of advice those surveyed would give other women about menopause is:

• talk to your GP
• get information / advice
• get as much help as you can
• stay positive and be kind to yourself.  

In October, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, launched a national campaign to support women to talk about menopause, empowering women to talk about their experience with their partner, family, friends and colleagues.