Cumbria support group opens up conversation on menopause and pain

A support group is holding a county-wide event for women coping with pain associated with menopause and perimenopause.

South Cumbria support group Menopause Matters is holding an online forum for World Menopause Day, inviting people to share their experiences and ask questions.

World Menopause Day is an annual event started by the International Menopause Society (IMS), with this year's theme Chronic Pain At Midlife.

Facilitator Leigh Williams said she hoped Sunday's free online event, being held between 19:00 and 20:00 BST, would "open up the conversation" around pain and menopause.

Menopause Matters also holds a monthly cafe-style drop-in in Barrow-in-Furness, offering women the opportunity to meet up in an informal environment.

Williams was inspired to become a facilitator because of her own experience with perimenopause and chronic pain.

"I know what it feels like when pain starts to shrink your world," she said. "Some of the women that come to the support groups are really desperate for an outlet, they haven't been able to talk about these topics or get the support that they wanted."

The online session will bring together a number of professionals and personal perspectives on menopause, and will be an open conversation format rather than a traditional webinar or expert panel.

Participants will include a GP, pelvic health physiotherapist, local authority health professional, support group facilitators and people with lived experience of persistent pain.

"What we've seen through the menopause cafe is that women's experiences don't fit neatly into boxes," Williams said. "We might start with menopause and very quickly find ourselves talking about pain, sleep, mental health, stress or neurodiversity.

"No one person on this call has all the answers. That is exactly why we're bringing different perspectives together."

According to the International Menopause Society, almost three in four women experience joint or muscle pain during perimenopause, while women are up to 70% more likely than men to experience chronic pain generally.

Some of the common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are painful, similar to musculoskeletal pain or symptoms of fibromyalgia. They can include muscle and joint aches, stiffness and swelling, reduced strength and pins and needles.

"Menopause is something that effects 50% of the population, so we absolutely should be expecting a level of health," Williams added.

"Some women can be experiencing these symptoms for a decade - that's a long time to be uncomfortable.

"Health and wellbeing isn't just the absence of ill-health, it's about being able to thrive and that's what I'm striving for."

Anyone wishing to take part in the free online conversation can do so by reserving a space on the event's booking website .

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