Menopause Mandate our Rally. Our book. Our Menopause Helpline
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 10AM , 18.10.22
Menopause Mandate's rally is taking place on College Green, Westminster tomorrow, Tuesday, 18th October, World Menopause Day, at 4.30pm
We have two exciting announcements to make.
Firstly, there's the launch of our book, It's Beyond A Joke, a compilation of some of the anonymous stories sent to us by Menopause Mandate supporters. Many of these are heartbreaking, and they all demonstrate why we're committed to ensuring that menopause is taken seriously.
Our chair - Mariella Frostrup - and our patrons; Carolyn Harris MP, Michelle Griffith Robinson, Penny Lancaster, Gabby Logan, Davina McCall, Lavina Mehta, Lisa Snowdon and Carol Vorderman, have contributed their thoughts, as have our advocates and experts.
The (sarcastically titled) chapters in the book cover some common themes. The Mirth of Misdiagnosis tells the tales of those who suffer for years with symptoms. Ludicrously Losing Jobs is story after story of those struggling at work, and even leaving employment. Farcical HRT Shortages describes the situations of those who are struggling to get their HRT. Just-released figures reveal that almost two million women are being prescribed this by the NHS in England alone, and the shortages are still very real. Or you might like to flick through The Absurd Cost of Menopause, which details the struggles of those who can't even afford treatment.
Essentially, the book lays out all the reasons - in women's words - why education for all and accessibility to treatment is so urgently needed.
We are also thrilled to welcome presenter Cherry Healey on board as a new patron.
Secondly, Holland & Barrett has partnered with Menopause Mandate to pilot a brand new and free nurse-led menopause advice line. Our plan is to host up to 21 appointments (15 minutes long) per week by January, 2023. Menopause Mandate is contacted by many women seeking help, support and advice, and this is a step in the right direction.
Hosted on Holland & Barrett’s website, people will be able to book a free 15 minute one-to-one video chat with a menopause nurse, who is able to provide unbiased information, general advice and signposting to those with questions about menopause and perimenopause.
61 per cent of women going through menopause don't feel there's enough support* and this is why H&B and MM have joined forces. We have a shared goal – increasing awareness about and access to advice and information about the menopause.
Appointments can be booked from next week, with the first sessions starting at the beginning of November.
The rally and the continuing efforts of Menopause Mandate wouldn't be possible without the generosity of all our sponsors. We are both grateful and privileged to work with them. With thanks to Dark Horses, DMG Media, Holland & Barrett, Sytner Group, Dentons and Let's All Talk Menopause.
Mariella Frostrup, broadcaster
'When we launched our website, we asked women to send in their menopause stories, so that others might read them and realise that although every experience is unique, we all go through this liminal period. In that way, women are very much united. Hundreds of women wrote in. From years of terrible symptoms to awful misunderstanding and unfair misdiagnosis, to some of the incredible GPs and brilliant healthcare providers in the UK, every single one of these stories represents thousands of women.'
Carolyn Harris, MP
'Thank you to everyone who has been brave enough to get in touch, to share their lowest moments in the hope of supporting other women. Your stories have made this book possible, and they will help others when they don’t know where else to turn for help.'
Clare Stafford, Director of Communications, Holland & Barrett says:
Improving women’s health and wellness through access to care and support sits at the heart of Holland & Barrett. Our mission is to help women recognise symptoms and find information, advice and support, however they choose to manage their menopause. Women need to feel both heard and listened to when it comes to their individual perimenopause and menopause experience. We’re proud to be partnering with Menopause Mandate.
Our free nurse advice helpline, will complement the support we already offer from our trained colleagues on natural ways to support menopausal symptoms, and help even more women find the information they need.
The video helpline will not offer diagnosis, or prescriptions.
Please contact info@menopausemandate.com for enquiries
* Research conducted in July 2021 for Holland & Barrett – Qualitative study of 10-day online community, 10 x 1-hour digital Zoom in depth interviews across 24 women and a quantitative survey Of 2,039 UK Rep Females – including women aware of, currently experiencing and who have experienced peri/menopausal symptoms in the past 12 months among other female health conditions