World Menopause Day - "Women continue to suffer stigma and ridicule," says Oldham medic

Women in Oldham will continue to suffer prejudice because of ignorance around the menopause.

And if they have endured a condition like endometriosis, the so-called "Change" might not mean the close of the pain they've endured since their teens. 

So says women's health campaigner Dr Anita Sharma, who launched World Menopause Day (October 16) with a plea for society to "cease superstition, stigma, and misinformation." 

The founder of the charity Endometriosis Awareness North said: "From jibes about hot flushes to religious taboos, our attitudes to the menopause have resulted in myths, misinformation and in some cases, mental health misery.  

"This is a perfectly natural process women pass through - but it can be difficult and is one that deserves more understanding and a little less ridicule and shame." 

Myths around menopause, have included: 

• It is a mild condition about temperature change and shouldn't entitle women to time off work 

• It makes all women moody and confrontational 

• The medication HRT completely cures it 

• It marks the close of being a real woman and destroys your sex life! 

Historically, the menopause has even been seen as a curse. The end of estrogen production which the menopause promotes has even led some medics to believe that other gynecological conditions then subside. 

Dr Sharma said: "This is dangerous thinking and is typical of a misogynistic medical profession still struggling with the idea of endometriosis. In actual fact, some women can still produce small amounts of oestrogen which can cause inflammation in other parts of the body. Just as doctors can be wrong when they say you are too young for endometriosis, the change doesn't necessarily mean the suffering stops." 

Dr Sharma would like to see employers enlighten workers about menopause and also believes training for junior doctors needs updating - fundamentally! 

"Too often learning about menopause and endometriosis is folded-into general teaching about gynecology and there's certainly very little life experience about dealing with women in physical and mental distress," added Dr Sharma.

Finally, she made this appeal to leaders within Oldham's cherished BAME community. "Women need a voice to talk about these issues. Thankfully, the likes of the Pink Chai breast cancer campaign have given them safe spaces to discuss their health, away from ignorance. But we need to see more opportunities. Shame and stigma belong in the dustbin of history!"    

Support Endometriosis Awareness North by visiting https://endometriosisawarenessnorth.com