An impassioned plea for more open discussion about the effects of the menopause on women has been made by a Meath county councillor. Fine Gael Cllr Suzanne Jamal told a meeting of the council that for far too long the issue was not talked about and she tabled a notice of motion calling on the council to hold a Menopause Day workshop to educate and inform women and men of the changes that happen as a woman ages.

She said that the county council could lead on “the change” and make more information available through various channels to open up conversation “on this very important life change”. The councillor said she wanted to share her personal story because menopause changes could be a difficult time in a woman’s life, changes that could happen over a number o years with some
experiencing no symptoms and others having a difficult time, or in certain cases a medically-induced menopause was necessary for certain circumstances. Oestrogen was vital to the health of a woman over her lifetime. If this was taken away there would be symptoms for a lot of women.

The Meath County Council Women’s Caucus chaired by Cllr Maria Murphy last year initiated an agreement to create agenda items for discussion “which had proved very successful with different
topics being highlighted at full council meetings”. “Last year this subject was very personal to me and I know that in recent years a conversation has started but for a long time menopause was not spoken about and women did suffer as a result”, Cllr Jamal said. Her own mother had never sought treatment and she could have been saved a of hardship, she said.

HER PERSONAL and FAMILY STORY

In bringing the motion to the county council she had had the support of her colleagues in raisin awareness. Her own menopause journey had begun in 2014. Her twin sister Maire was diagnosed
with breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 39. “My family were offered genetic testing following Maire’s diagnosis and it was at this time myself and Maire tested positive for the BRACA 2 gene. I took the decision in 2o14 to have my ovaries removed as our mother had passed away with ovarian cancer. I did not think twice about it when I realised I was high risk”.

The fist symptom she felt was disturbance of sleep and while this improved over time there were other symptoms like night sweats, anxiety, worsening of existing tinnitus and many more. She had
not sought treatment until last year as she did not have adequate information in 2014. “I presumed this was normal and I had to get on with it”, Cllr Jamal said. She visited her GP who checked her in to the Menopause Clinic. “To cite a long story short I have been on HRT since last November and it has transformed me, giving me huge relief of many symptoms. As we have Breast Check at 50 I would suggest a Menopause Check at 40, providing an information booklet to every woman and family giving the required information to go and have a hormone profile completed. Be prepared”. “It’s not easy when you hit a certain age as a woman because it is a difficult time in your life, and a difficult time for your family”.

OTHER COUNCILLORS WELCOMED THE MOTION

Cllr Maria Murphy

Cllr Maria Murphy commended Cllr Jamal for telling her story. She said that when people heard more about the issue, it appeared that conversation was opening up on something that had just not been spoken about. While all women went through the menopause, husbands and partners went through it, too. She commended the councillor for putting down the motion at council.

Cllr Sharon Tolan said that what Cllr Jamal had done by putting down the motion and speaking about the subject was “very, very brave”. She said that in her own case one of the symptoms was he inability to remember certain words. On one particular occasion she couldn’t remember the word airport, she said, and thought she was in a stage of dementia.

Cllr Yemi Adenuga said that the issue of menopause was one that had been discussed at the women’s caucus. “Sometimes it such a relief to hear that you are not the only person going through it. It is also heartbreaking that more women are going through it in more difficult circumstances. As a woman who is currently going through the menopause I can tell you it is not an easy journey”.

Cllr Gerry O’Connor said that as a man he would like to support the notice of motion. The honesty with which speakers had addressed the issue was a wake-up call for everyone.

Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe said that on two occasions the council had brought in a national specialist to speak to staff about issues like the one raised by Cllr Jamal. He would have no
problem making that specialist available to councillors at any time.

Cllr Jamal’s motion was agreed by the council.