Cork TD opens Menopause Hub and calls for free HRT

CORK women, and women from all over the country, and their family members, have contacted the two Dublin-based Menopause Hubs begging for an appointment.

“We have had women crying on the phone to us, urgently looking for help with their symptoms. Once a woman has made up her mind to get help, she needs it immediately, which is why I’m driven to open up access to our services. The women of Ireland deserve more,” said Loretta Dignam, CEO and founder of The Menopause Hub.

With that in mind, Loretta opened her first clinic outside the capital, in Ballincollig in October, and since then women from all over the south-west are availing of its services including psychologists, sleep experts and pelvic physios.

The hub was officially opened last Thursday in Ballincollig by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns TD.

At the launch, Deputy Cairns called for free HRT to help women manage menopause.

At present, women who require HRT face prescription charges of between €30 and €70 a month.

The Social Democrats leader said;

“Free HRT is an essential part of removing those barriers of cost for women taking up treatment during menopause.”

“And so many women stop their treatment, or never access it in the first place, because they cannot afford it.

The symptoms of menopause are not minor inconveniences, and it is essential that the reality of menopause and perimenopause are communicated and taught to women so we can be aware of what is happening to our mind and to our body.

“Medical care is a right and healthcare should be available to every single person in this State, free of charge, 24/7, from the point of need. Too often, it is quite literally a post-code lottery.

“But centres like this (the Menopause Hub) are making a difference.

“They provide equal and affordable access to high-quality medical care and treatment, in our own communities, breaking down those barriers which have kept so many people, and women in Cork, from accessing the care they need.”

Loretta Dignam, whose background is in marketing and communications, was motivated to set up the menopause clinics by her own experience of menopause a decade ago. At the time there was an almost complete void of information on this life-change, despite it impacting 50% of the population.

She had symptoms including headaches, sleep problems, pains in her ankles, dry eyes and more, and sought separate treatment for them all.

“I was like a slow puncture with the air and vitality literally seeping out of me,” she remembers.

Perimenopause was never mentioned as a possible cause and in all she said she suffered seven years of sub-optimal health.

After her own journey, she was determined that other women wouldn’t have the same experience and she launched the Menopause Hub, first in south Dublin, and then on the north side, and now in Ballincollig. The ethos of the hubs is to educate, show empathy and empower women.

Education is a major part of the hub and Loretta says that at one point she even bought a magnet for her underwear to help with hot flushes – at one point she was having up to 30 a day.

“Such ridiculous nonsense! I was also buying sage by the bucketload, but at the same time I was terrified of HRT and ruled it out due to cancer fears. There was so much conflicting advice out there that I didn’t know who to trust so what we’re about is providing evidence- based practical help.”

Since 2018, the Menopause Hub has been conducting surveys among menopausal women in Ireland to find out about their experience of menopause. Prior to this there was no data in existence.

In 2023, we had over 3,000 respondents to our online survey, all menopausal women at different stages of menopause. This included perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause, surgical menopause and medically induced menopause.

“The results are shocking and fascinating in equal measure and point to how society, government, medical professionals and workplaces can best support those experiencing menopause and associated symptoms,” she said.

This was the first year the survey included questions about relationships and sex, and the results were staggering, she said.

“Of course, you hear anecdotally how relationships and sex lives are impacted, but I wanted numbers and scale on it,” she said.

An overwhelming 61% said that menopause negatively impacted their relationship with their ‘significant other’ (partner, wife, husband); while 74% said that their sex life was negatively impacted by menopause/perimenopause.

“We deliberately included questions on the survey about vaginal dryness and painful sex because often women may not volunteer this kind of information, but if it’s a matter of just ticking a box, it’s easier. Once a doctor is aware of the symptoms, the treatment is there,” she said.

Loretta feels that menopause only became ‘a thing’ in 2021.

“Before that it was something taboo – spoken about in hush tones. Now there’s a perimenopause, and menopause revolution! To some, it may feel like it’s being spoken about obsessively, but in our survey, 81% said they feel it’s still a taboo,” she said.

Loretta is driven to ensure hers is the last generation to ‘put up with’ menopause and is also motivated to educate men and family members on how to help and support women at this time of their lives.

She also wants to highlight the risks of cardiovascular issues due to the decline in oestrogen at this time for women, as well as osteoporosis.

Taking control of your health at this time is a wake-up call to future proof for the years ahead, and with the average life expectancy of women, 84, that’s more important than ever.

Among her future plans, as well as opening new clinics, is to work to have HRT available free of charge.

“Menopause isn’t a middle class condition. HRT can cost up to €80 a month and it’s a cost that’s beyond the reach for some,” she said. “There’s lots of campaigning still to be done.

Personally, she’s very much feeling like herself again.

“My symptoms are under control and I’m enjoying life.

“I want women to know they don’t have to suffer in silence. I just wish I knew then, what I know now, as I feel robbed of time.”

Survey highlights:

Menopause - the impact

87% believe that menopause is still taboo

Although 93% think it is more acceptable to talk about menopause now

68% said that they were not at all prepared for menopause/perimenopause

The top 5 symptoms experienced were:

Cognitive (brain fog, memory loss) 78%, fatigue 76%, anxiety 70, weight gain 66%, and feeling overwhelmed 60%.

Relationships and sex

Physical, sexual, emotional and psychological symptoms. All about the loss of libido and hot flushes.

GP Support

Of those that went to their GP, 53% described the support as poor/very poor.

Menopause in the workplace

The top 5 symptoms that impact women while working are: Cognitive (brain fog/memory loss) 76%, fatigue 63%, feeling overwhelmed 52%, anxiety 48% and loss of confidence 48%.

Government supports

94% say that the Government is NOT doing enough in the area of menopause; 86% want a free 40+ year old health check for women; 83% want free HRT; 82% want menopause education for GPs.