Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The menopause is the taboo subject. Today, I am speaking on the subject on behalf of someone very close to me. I am giving her a voice and a voice to all the women who are going through it.

Last week, on RTÉ Radio 1, Joe Duffy offered two women from the Irish Menopause group a chance to raise this subject. Talking about it really helps to make the stigma fall away. The average age of the onset of the menopause is in the 50s, but it can start for some women much earlier, for example, when they are in their 30s. This includes women who have gone through chemotherapy. Can Members imagine dealing with chemotherapy, which then triggers early menopause and myriad symptoms from treatment?

There are so many women who are dealing with these symptoms that are not easily recognised or diagnosed. These are women with restless leg syndrome who have not slept properly for years. Hormone replacement therapy, HRT, treatment solves this. There are women with symptoms like poor concentration, anxiety, depression - serious mental health concerns - who are misdiagnosed and given antidepressants. Thanks to this conversation, it has lifted a huge burden off women - women who thought they were going mad.

The menopause is a normal life event for women. It can last for up to 15 years. It is not an illness or a medical condition. Many women suffer in silence and do not realise how effective HRT can be at improving not only their symptoms but also their quality of life and future health. It is available through the medical card scheme. Doctors and healthcare specialists needs to be educated and updated about these types of symptoms in the early stages of menopause so that women can end up being treated with respect and the medication they need.

Last week, the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for public health and well-being, Deputy Feighan, launched the Healthy Ireland strategic action plan. It is part of Sláintecare, which is all about reducing inequalities and making sure we have the right care at the right time and in the right place. We need it now and we need it for women throughout Ireland. I call on the Minister of State to ensure there is care for women's health, information on HRT and specialised training for the more than 7,000 planned-for healthcare professionals to identify early symptoms, especially across our primary care centres and within the proposed 18 new Sláintecare healthy communities across Ireland. We need care now for women in Ireland in all our towns and villages.