I am saddened to see so much misinformation and judgement in the posts following the Panorama programme. I feel that it is important to clarify a few points that particularly concern me, and apologies for the length of this post!
Background
First of all, this forum was set up many years ago to provide a safe platform for sharing of experiences, to reduce isolation, to provide accurate information, along with other resources on the website so that menopause matters' users felt able to make informed decisions about their menopause.
Menopause Matters Ltd was founded in 2001, the website was launched in 2002, and Menopause Matters magazine in 2005. This was a time when the fallout from publication of the Women's Health Initiative trial and the Million Women study was having a huge impact on interest and investment in menopause, with many women and healthcare professionals having concerns about risks of HRT. Many were denied the benefits of treatment either due to choice or advice. Myself and many others spent much time providing information in many ways for both women and healthcare professionals to show risks in perspective, while reinforcing understanding of benefits of HRT, along with other treatment options. Gradually, interest returned, with a turning point in 2015, with publication of the first NICE guideline on diagnosis and management of the menopause. Kirsty Wark presented a key BBC Scotland programme, "The Menopause and Me" in 2017, which was the beginning of raising awareness of the menopause widely. Subsequent celebrity attention, more television programmes and intense increase in social media discussions, including the work of Newson Health, has been fantastic for continuing to raise the importance of menopause.
However, it is important that accurate information is provided, that people are not encouraged to try something because it worked for someone else, that guidelines, which go through rigorous processes with examination of all available scientific evidence before publication, are recognised and used.
So what about the British Menopause Society (BMS)?
The BMS was establishes in 1989 and has been pivotal in providing education for healthcare professionals with the aim that if advice is needed from a healthcare professional, consistent advice will be given. During the years of lack of interest in menopause, the BMS continued to develop guidelines, run conferences and education programmes. In recent years, with welcomed renewed interest and awareness, along with awareness of inconsistencies in advice being provided, the education provision has been accelerated at pace to try to reach demand. I am founder and MD of Menopause Matters as well as Trustee and past Chair of the BMS. Menopause Matters regularly quotes and refers to guidelines, publications, and news items from the BMS, but we work completely separately. Women's Health Concern is the patient arm of the British Menopause Society and provides excellent fact sheets on many aspects of the menopause, but there area also brilliant resources on the BMS website free for all, not just healthcare professionals. The BMS charity employs a very small dedicated team and all the trustees and members of the Medical Advisory Council provide clinical advice in their own time. All are committed to working hard to continue to improve menopause education and care in the UK and further afield and many have been involved in key research to further improve knowledge.
I hope that this has provided some clarity, not around the background of the Panorama programme, which is complex, but around Menopause Matters and the BMS. Regarding my input to the forum, while I cannot respond to questions raised on the forum, and it is not intended to be a source of medical advice, we do have moderators who alert me to key issues as required.
I can only ask that you use the forum for its intended purpose, for which it has helped thousands of women over the last 20+ years, and trust the recommended resources.
So where to go?
The British Menopause Society: The specialist authority for menopause and post reproductive health in the UK, affiliated to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. (thebms.org.uk)
Women's Health Concern: The patient arm of The British Menopause Society. It offers confidential Advice, Reassurance and Education (womens-health-concern.org)
Women’s Health platform on NHS Inform: The Women's Health Platform sets out information on women's health at key stages of life, from puberty to later years, with a focus on menopause. Menopause and Post Menopause Health.
The International Menopause Society: The International Menopause Society (IMS) brings together the leading specialists to study and share knowledge about all aspects of aging in women, with a specific focus each year on World Menopause Day (imsociety.org)
Menopause Matters: Website, magazine and podcasts providing up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options. Here women will find information on what happens leading up to, during and after the menopause, what the consequences can be, what they can do to help and what treatments are available. (menopausematters.co.uk)
Other resources: Women can find many recommended resources outside of Menopause Matters here.
Healthcare professionals: If you do need advice and support from a healthcare professional, be reassured that the British Menopause Society is the go-to place with excellent free resources online for healthcare professionals and public, as well as masterclasses, conferences, and the recently launched online BMS Management of the Menopause Certificate for healthcare professionals. More education is always needed but amazing progress is being made.
Best wishes to you all and thank-you for using Menopause Matters.
