A new survey has revealed a devastating picture of social withdrawal and emotional decline among women who are waiting to receive appropriate help for their perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms.
The global survey, of 3,665 women from more than 30 different countries, discovered that one in four (27%) respondents say they are stepping back from everyday connections such as family visits and community activities.
The women described feeling “trapped,” “invisible,” and “disconnected from life itself,” with extreme fatigue, anxiety, mood swings and brain fog leaving many “too foggy to talk, too tired to cope.”
Unsurprisingly, 41% said their mental health had been moderately affected, while a further 50% reported severe effects including depression, emotional flatness and even suicidal thoughts. Relationships are also suffering, with 46% saying their symptoms had significantly damaged their relationship with their partner.
Dr Louise Newson, GP, specialist in women’s hormones and founder of Balance app, commented, “This data highlights the unnecessary suffering of women who are unable to receive evidence-based hormone treatment. We are seeing women’s lives and relationships breaking down unnecessarily because they aren’t being prescribed the appropriate hormone treatment. It isn’t just heartbreaking, it’s barbaric.”
The global survey also revealed the long waiting times women are enduring to access the right support for their perimenopause or menopause symptoms.
• 52% said they attended three or more appointments with their healthcare professional before being prescribed HRT
• 10% of those needed to attend more than 10 appointments before treatment
• 17% women waited 1-3 years before they could access treatment
• 15% women waited more than 3 years
• 35% are still waiting for effective treatment
Dr Louise commented: “Perimenopause and menopause should not be a life sentence of isolation. With the right hormone treatments, women can thrive rather than simply survive. All the guidelines and evidence are clear that hormones are first line treatment for the majority of women yet too many women are struggling to be prescribed them. Change isn’t just overdue, it’s critical. All women are entitled to the best care, treatment and choice. It’s time they received that.”
