Hannah Widell describes it herself as not understanding anything. Nothing was fun anymore, her body ached and she suspected she was burnt out. The symptoms she was suffering from turned out to be menopause. – I have done a lot of my own research. You have to because there is nothing. “PMS all the time” 53 percent of women who are today between 45 and 65 years of age state that menopause symptoms have a fairly large or very large impact on their everyday life. Symptoms that are often talked about are hot flashes, but sleep problems, reduced sex drive, less physical energy and mental fatigue and depression are symptoms that are at least as common. – If you end up in menopause, then you have PMS all the time – it’s the constant feeling. You are super irritated and not so charming. You are incredibly influenced. If you don’t sleep, which is one of the biggest problems, then you can’t function, says Hannah Widell. Few seek care Despite the fact that so many experience major problems, 37 percent state that they have not sought any care or help for their problems. Maria Bergström, expert unit manager at RFSU, believes that it is due to ignorance but also a deficiency in healthcare. – You don’t know that the symptoms you experience, for example low mood or sleep problems, can be linked to the menopause. We also know that healthcare is bad at addressing these issues when you meet women of that age. In order for more women to seek care, Maria Bergström thinks that the silence around the subject must be broken, but also believes that more competence is needed in care. – We have seen that there have been some menopause clinics, but more sexological competence and competence linked to women’s health is needed. Only then can it happen that it is brought up as a natural part of a care meeting.
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