Most PPGs are looking for people to volunteer to join, there should be an option to join on the practice website, or by contacting reception.
Expect to wait a few weeks before hearing from the practice, but do not be afraid to ask about time frames.
When you do get to speak to someone from the PPG, they may ask if you have a particular reason for, or special interest in, joining. This is your opportunity to say that you have an interest in women’s health and, specifically, raising awareness around the menopause.
Offer to provide useful resources from Menopause Support, you can print a copy of each of our factsheets and posters and request a supply of our booklets from our office. Do also provide the links for the resources.
Useful resources include:
Understanding Menopause booklet
Menopause Support Symptoms Checkers
Understanding Menopause for Partners
The Psychological Impact of Menopause
How to Prepare for your GP appointment
10 things your GP should know about menopause
Menopause Support symptoms posters
Menopause Support video resources for waiting rooms
You may choose to donate books to the surgery for the GPs and practice nurses to read, the following are good examples:
The British Menopause Society Handbook
Making Menopause Matter by Diane Danzebrink
The Complete Guide to POI & Early Menopause by Dr Hannah Short & Dr Mandy Leonhardt
Me and My Menopausal Vagina by Jane Lewis
The Complete Guide to the Menopause by Dr Annice Mukherjee
It is worth making a list of the issues that you would like to raise and signposting the PPG to www.menopausesupport.co.uk and our #makemenopausematter campaign.
Points for consideration can include:
The waste of NHS time and money on multiple appointments, incorrect diagnosis and management, and referrals
That menopause has only been added as a mandatory subject in medical school since 2024, due in part to our Freedom of Information request, and campaign, which highlighted how doctors were often at a disadvantage due to lack of mandatory training.
Raising awareness of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause – up to 80% of women are affected at some point in their lifetime and treatment is not always sought. Early diagnosis and treatment of GSM symptoms can have a significant impact on patient well-being and independence.
Suggest that the Menopause Support booklet and QR code poster could be added to the surgery website for patients to download.
If the surgery has a waiting room screen, you could suggest that the Menopause Support video resources are added.
You could offer to arrange a ‘menopause meet up’ at the surgery, every few months, for patients to meet up and chat. This would provide an opportunity to share resources.
The key aim of joining your PPG is to bring focus to women’s health and menopause care, to ensure that all GPs are up to date with current guidance aware of the range of menopause symptoms. This will enable them to treat their patients efficiently and will ensure that all women receive the same standard of care in relation to menopause management.
Try to ensure that your enthusiasm is not viewed as ‘GP bashing’. The vast majority of GPs really do want to help their patients, but sadly many have not been provided the right education, tools and guidance to allow them to help when faced with a patient experiencing menopause symptoms.
Joining the PPG is an opportunity to be a voice for menopausal women in your local community and to share with the practice what you, as a patient, would find helpful during your menopause transition.