From Tuesday 1 November, Diabetes UK Northern Ireland will be hosting the first of five sessions discussing perimenopause and menopause, and how women can prepare for what can feel like an uncertain stage in their lives.
Menopause is usually reached when a woman has stopped having any periods for 12 months. It is caused by a fall in production of the hormone oestrogen and is a normal part of ageing, which usually occurs between ages 45 and 55.
Heather Causer, Community Engagement Manager at Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said: ‘It has been fantastic to see more and more of us talking about menopause and raising awareness about what can be very daunting time for a lot of women. Lack of information and support can make the menopause, and perimenopause, feel like a lonely and uncertain part of your life.
‘Diabetes UK Northern Ireland recognises the need for understanding our hormones and the impact that they inevitably have on managing diabetes. The menopause sessions we are running throughout November will hopefully tackle a lot of the misunderstanding and fear that women may have about facing menopause.’
The five online sessions will include topics such as nutrition and gut health, emotional wellbeing, and movement and menopause. You do not have to have diabetes to attend, these are awareness-raising and informative sessions about the menopause.
Heather continued: ‘The sessions are free and online, and you can attend all five or just pick and choose which ones suit you best. We hope that women attending these sessions will learn more about what to expect from the perimenopause and menopause, and what they can do to help prepare themselves while getting support and much needed information.’
You can register online for the menopause sessions.