Cavan GP opens menopause clinic to support women

"God, it’s great to talk to someone who knows what I’m talking about"

A Cavan GP is on a mission to break the stigma around menopause by opening a specialised clinic in Cavan Town

Dara Hume, general practitioner in Drumalee Cross Family practice, has decided to use her experience as both a GP and a woman going through menopause, to teach women across the county about the condition.

The reason today is so special is because it’s world menopause day. It’s highlighting menopause for women internationally,” says Dara, as she stood outside the medical practice yesterday afternoon.

She opened a menopause clinic in her practice and began holding menopause facility once a month. As it grew in popularity, Dara increased its frequency to once a week.

“I love my menopause clinic day. I do a full day clinic week and I love it. I find it so rewarding because I can help.

“I know what’s coming in, I have the information in front of me beforehand. We go through all her symptoms and how it's affecting her and I have time to go off on tangents if needs be.”

Since the clinic began, Dr. Hume has received incredible feedback from her patients.

“I think that’s the most common feedback I get is - God, it’s great to talk to someone who knows what I’m talking about. I am that soldier, I have no problem saying it. I've been on HRT myself for the last year and it’s the best thing I've ever done.”

Dara became interested in menopause when it first became an issue for her. By combining different factors such as nutrition, exercise and education, she found out what worked for her. Now she is keen to share her wisdom with other women going through it.

“It’s the one condition that 51 per cent of the world's population will experience in their life which is pretty phenomenal seeing as women didn’t talk about it probably until the last few years,” says Dara passionately about the subject.

“Women are now coming out and talking about their menopause. Every woman is different so every menopause is different.”

When asked about the point in which women should decide to seek help, Dara responded, “I think the key is to recognise it, see if you’re struggling and if you are struggling go and get help, if you’re not struggling and you’re doing okay that’s fine.”

The Cavan clinic has seen women between the ages of early forties and late sixties, however the most common age of Dara’s patients are those in their late forties and early fifties.

“There’s probably not much point in coming late 30’s early 40’s, even though the perimenopause which is our perimenopause can be up to ten to 15 years before your periods actually stop.

“You’re not actually menopausal until 12 months after your last period and then you’re post-menopausal. So the peri is when things are changing, maybe just symptoms are beginning to sneak in like mood swings, low libido, anxiety, sometimes then palpitations, obviously period change and all that.”

“When things are changing, that’s the time to come, or to say - maybe I’ll just watch it for a little while. Now if I’m running into trouble, I need to be seen.”

“I’d see women from early forties up as far as the early sixties and end everything in between but the most common age is probably late forties early fifties and I think that’s the most common feedback I get is - God it’s great to talk to someone who knows what I’m talking about, which is always nice to hear.”

Dr. Hume’s menopause appointments are longer than those of a general GP, giving her time to give her clients as much attention as they need.

“Sometimes it may be a little bit on sexual health or relationship issues or stress management and I have time to go down that avenue. Rather than, here's your symptoms, here’s your prescription. I don’t think that's adequate management of that lady's issues.”

Dara advices any women who are suffering in silence because of their menopause, to contact Drumalee Cross Family Practice by phone at 049 436 2266.

“I think it’s wonderful that all these women are able to talk about their menopause and able to iterate what their symptoms are and ask for help and be listened to.”