Gabby Logan says its important to talk to men about menopause

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Gabby Logan, the British presenter, was speaking on BBC Breakfast and said that menopause should not be “taboo” and noted “it can last for years”.

This comes as the government announced that women will benefit from cheaper and easier access to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to relieve symptoms of the menopause.

Logan said: “Whether you are married to a woman or not, you will come in contact in your life – whether it is in the workplace, you have a Mum, you have got sisters, you’ve got Aunties” with someone going through the menopause.

She added: “Understanding what is going on and not having this as something which is really taboo, to close the door on, because it can last for years!”

As well as suggesting it was important that men talk about the menopause, Logan noted: “The symptoms can last for years, and obviously the hormone replacement treatments help massively.”

She said: “There are all kinds of symptoms that never get talked about. Traditionally it was always the hot flush – which does happen to some women – but there is loads of stuff that happens”.

The government says it will look to implement longer prescribing cycles, so women receive fewer prescriptions, reducing the need to pay frequent prescription charges.

Government says that this could mean women would only have to pay one charge for up to a 12 month supply of HRT, saving up to £205 per year as a result.

Gabby Logan said: “Look at this as a strategy to help families stay together – it is that dramatic, because if a man does not understand what is going on and the relationship starts to break up, that is a huge thing for that family.”

The presenter said: “We need men involved in the conversation, not to try and make them feel uncomfortable, it is just a very pragmatic thing.”

The NHS says: “It’s worth talking to a GP if you have menopausal symptoms that are troubling you or if you’re experiencing symptoms of the menopause before 45 years of age.”

A GP can usually confirm whether you’re menopausal based on your symptoms, but a blood test to measure your hormone levels may be carried out if you’re under 45.

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The menopause is caused by a change in the balance of the body’s sex hormones, which occurs as you get older.

It happens when your ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen and no longer release an egg each month.

Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, difficulty sleeping, low mood or anxiety and loss of libido.

There are also some less common symptoms that some women experience, including hair loss or brittle nails.

At the age of 47 Logan was diagnosed with perimenopause – also known as the menopausal transition – which refers to the time where a woman’s body makes the natural transition to menopause and marks the end of the reproductive years.

Perimenopause means “around menopause” and refers to the time during which your body begins to transition to menopause.

Similarly, this period of life also comes with an array of side effects.

Women can start perimenopause at various ages, with most women beginning to experience the symptoms of perimenopause in their mid-40s.

For those who are finding it difficult to cope with menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is by far the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms.

Used in a variety of forms it works by “topping up” oestrogen levels that have declined and in turn reduces the effect of symptoms.

For those who cannot take HRT due to other medical reasons, non-medical therapies and healthy lifestyle changes have also made a positive effect on symptoms.

This includes maintaining a healthy and balanced diet and regularly exercising.

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