- Conference
- 2025 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 15 October 2024
- Decision
- Carried
Specialist Perimenopause / Menopause / Post Menopause Support in every GP Surgery in the UK
Access to specialist perimenopause / menopause / post menopause advice and treatment within GP Surgeries in the UK is often a postcode lottery, with many female, transgender, and non-binary members, struggling to get the support and advice they need.
Just some facts and figures to illustrate why this issue is so important.
• There are approximately 13 million peri or post- menopausal women in the U.K.
• There are more than 30 recognised symptoms of menopause.
• Perimenopause is when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and symptoms may appear, often in the early to mid-forties.
• Menopause is 12 consecutive months without a period, the average age this happens is 51-52.
• Post-menopause is the years following menopause.
• Symptoms last, on average, 4-8 years.
• 1 in 4 will experience very few symptoms.
• 3 in 4 will experience symptoms.
• 1 in 4 will experience debilitating symptoms.
Menopause can be:
• Natural.
• Surgical – this occurs when both ovaries are removed.
• Induced – this is caused by some forms of medical treatment.
• Early – this occurs under the age of 45.
• Premature -this occurs under the age of 40.
• 1 in 100 will experience menopause under the age of 40.
• 1 in 1000 will experience menopause under the age of 30.
• 1 in 10,000 will experience menopause under the age of 20.
• Transgender and non-binary people may also experience menopause.
While menopause is talked about a lot more than it used to be, there is still a long way to go to ensure that those struggling with menopausal symptoms have access to the right, timely and appropriate support, advice and, where appropriate, treatment, in their own GP Surgery.
Conference acknowledges that UNISON is making great strides in getting employers to engage around menstruation, perimenopause, menopause and post menopause issues, including negotiating stand-alone policies that cover things like reasonable adjustments, signposting etc. However, Conference also acknowledges that more needs to be done within our own health care system generally, to ensure that those needing help can access a health care professional, confident in the knowledge that they are specially trained in menopause support.
Having a health care professional with specialist menopause training in every GP Surgery will allow those struggling with perimenopause or menopause symptoms to get the advice they need to make informed choices about their own health options.
Conference calls on the National Women’s Committee to work with the NEC, Labour Link, UNISON’s Health and Safety Committee, Regions and Branches to take the appropriate steps within its remit and scope of influence, to help campaign for change that will see at least one menopause support health specialist in every GP practice in the UK.