Responses to Women with Learning Disabilities as they go Through the Menopause

The research investigated how women with learning disabilities understand and experience the menopause, and the support available. This paper Reports the experiences and attitudes of those people to whom women with learning disabilities might turn for support. GPs generally Reported relatively little experience in treating women with learning disabilities for menopause‐related symptoms and some recognised the need for pro‐active work. Carers played a key role in facilitating women's access to primary health care. Staff in residential and day services recognised the role they played in supporting women through the menopause, but were hampered by lack of time and resources. Mothers of middle‐aged women with learning disabilities who still lived at home felt well‐placed to support their daughters through the menopause and viewed this transition positively. The need for specialist educational materials was emphasised by all those who took part in this research.