The report says 25 per cent of women experiencing severe symptoms had significant adverse impacts on their daily lives.

A new report into the experiences of Rotherham women shows that many do not know where to seek support for perimenopause or menopause.

The Menopause Review report is a result of a Health Select Commission workshop which looked into the current menopause advice, support and treatment available in the borough.

The workshop brought together councillors, GPs, clinicians, and other health partners and voluntary and community sector organisations.

Perimenopause is when you have symptoms of menopause but your periods are continuing, with menopause starting once you have not had a period for 12 months.

Some symptoms include hot flushes, memory issues, sleep disturbances and mood changes, and usually affects women between 45 and 55 but can happen earlier.

During an Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meeting on June 3, the report showed councillors that women often struggled to recognise perimenopause and menopause symptoms.

It noted 70-80 per cent of women experience some menopause symptoms, with 25 per cent experiencing severe symptoms which had led to adverse impacts on their daily lives.

Available information was reportedly ‘fragmented, lengthy or too clinical’ for people to understand, leading to fear and delayed help being sought by women experiencing menopause.

Councillor Eve Rose Keenan, the Chair of Health Select Commission, outlined the aims of the report:

Public awareness – including engaging men and young people.
Primary care improvement – by encouraging every GP practice to have a ‘Menopause Champion’ and encouraging menopause training for staff.
Providing mental health support – by encouraging health partners and GPs to include menopause screening questions into mental health pathways and assessments.
Improve community support and engagement – by working with relevant services to develop outreach support, especially to minority ethnic communities, faith groups, and groups with language barriers.
Improve workplace health – producing and promoting a ‘Rotherham Menopause Workplace Toolkit’ to be shared with employers to support discussion on menopause, and reduce the number of women having to leave the workforce.
Develop a multi-agency action plan – working with relevant services to secure long-term funding for menopause initiatives across Rotherham.

The councillor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) “this is not just a women’s issue; it is a societal one”.

“It is only by talking openly, supporting one another, and asking for help that we can break down these barriers,” she said.

Data in the report says that approximately 113,000 women in Rotherham will experience menopause symptoms during their lives.

“I want women to know they are not alone. Their experiences are shared by so many, myself included, and no one should feel they have to suffer in silence,” Cllr Keenan said.

“I want them to feel seen, heard and valued. We all share a role in achieving that and can all reap the benefits it will bring.”

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health, Cllr Baker-Rogers, said: “We are committed to enabling residents to live well and understand the importance of raising awareness about menopause as it demonstrates the vital need for women’s health needs to be more widely understood and supported across many different sectors including employers and society.

“To address the issue, the council is working with partners and local organisations to deliver a variety of activities including online health sessions delivered by doctors and local clinicians to provide clear and reliable information with the opportunity for attendees to ask questions in a judgement free setting.

“We are also working with local organisations to deliver community-led activities, educational speeches, and Menopause Café support networks. Local groups also organise wellness sessions and physical activities for those experiencing menopause to improve bone health, fitness, and mood.

“Internally, the council frequently hosts staff sessions with advice on menopause and raises awareness and information about the support available on national days such as International Women’s Day. I encourage anyone impacted by menopause to reach out for support when you need it.”