New Menopause Quick Reference Guide a significant milestone in the management of menopause in general practice in Ireland. 

(4th October 2022) The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the professional body for general practice in Ireland. The ICGP is the representative organization for education, training and standards in general practice with 4,200 members, comprising over 85% of practising GPs in Ireland, and over 900 trainees in supervised practice.

The new Menopause Guide, or Quick Reference Guide (QRG), will guide General Practitioners in the management of Menopause, and is published today on the College’s website www.icgp.ie where members can access it. 

The ICGP/HSE Clinical Lead for Women’s Health, Dr Ciara McCarthy, said: “Menopause is a major life event affecting all women in a variety of ways, with up to 80% of women experiencing physical and/or emotional symptoms during that time.”

“Most of these symptoms can be managed in general practice, and this guide comprises evidence-based information on the management of perimenopause and menopause in general practice by GPs and practice nurses. It provides advice on diagnosis, lifestyle interventions, prescribing HRT safely, alternative options to HRT, and specific advice for women with a history of breast cancer. An overview of the management of premature ovarian failure is included.”

The ICGP’s Director of Women’s Health, Dr Nóirín O’Herlihy, said:  “This QRG is a significant milestone in the care of women with perimenopause and menopause in Ireland and part of the widening of knowledge and understanding. It is funded by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the National Women and Infants Programme, and will provide GPs with updated and comprehensive knowledge on menopause treatment for their patients.”

Welcoming the launch of the Quick Reference Guide on Menopause, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, said: “When launching the Women’s Health Action Plan in March 2022, I committed to changing the approach to menopause care in Ireland, and increasing the supports available to women before, during and after menopause. Women told us they needed more when it came to support and treatment for this significant life event. We have been responding to this ask – for example, through the development of specialised menopause clinics nationally – and today, the ICGP has responded by publishing this Quick Reference Guide, which will assist GPs across the country in treating people experiencing menopause.”

The Chairman of the ICGP, Dr John Farrell, said: “We welcome the investment in Women’s Health from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD. Patient demand for menopause care has increased in recent years due to greater awareness and media attention, a development welcomed by the ICGP, and GPs will benefit greatly from this guide, and from our online learning resources in Community Gynaecology.”

The guide is available for GP members at www.icgp.ie

A series of  public videos about the menopause by the ICGP’s Dr Ciara McCarthy and Dr Nóirín O’Herlihy is available at https://www.icgpnews.ie/menopause-patient-information/

Issued by: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of General Practitioners.

Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830 Email: ICGP.news@gmail.com