In this podcast, Dr Louise Newson chats with Vanessa Barnes, fellow trustee and Chief Executive of their newly formed Menopause Charity. 

Vanessa describes in detail her own menopause journey and her experiences of being perimenopausal and how she came to first meet Louise when trying to find treatment for herself over three years ago.  Louise and Vanessa discuss the lack of information, knowledge and awareness surrounding the perimenopause and menopause and the apparent stigma attached to it. There is a very real need for this to be addressed and Louise and Vanessa explain how The Menopause Charity can help to do this. 

Louise and Vanessa also discuss the wider impact of oestrogen deficiency and the general lack of information and knowledge about the very vital part that oestrogen plays in women’s health. The need for a menopause charity to be set up is something that Louise has been thinking about for some time and now, thanks to the collaboration and efforts from a wide variety of people who are working on The Menopause Charity team, Louise and Vanessa are hugely excited to be in the position where they have now received official registration as a charity from the Charity Commission! The whole team are looking forward to the future and getting the funding needed to get The Menopause Charity website built and to start the process of helping more women to get the support, information and help that they deserve. 

Click here to find out more about The Menopause Charity 

Vanessa’s Take Home Tips about why The Menopause Charity is essential: 

1. The Menopause Charity will benefit millions of women and will make a positive impact on the lives of so many perimenopausal and menopausal women (and indirectly on their partners!) 
2. The Menopause Charity has been set up by a very special team of people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and skill sets but who are all united in their passion to improve the quality of menopause care are raise awareness about it. As a result of this collaborative effort, this expert team will work to ensure that The Menopause Charity will be the very best that it can be. 
3. The Menopause Charity is essential as it will raise awareness about the menopause and will help to remove the stigma attached to it.  Through the charity, we will encourage society to embrace the change!