Empowering Conversations with Bengali Women on Menopause
Bengali women in Greenwich enjoyed a talk on menopause from their local NHS. The session was organised for the Bengali women’s group following their regular yoga session, and provided a dedicated space for women to ask questions, share experiences, and receive information about menopause.
The session was organised through a collaboration between NHS South East London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS), the Southeast London Gynaecology Network, the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG), and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. The Gynaecology Network is part of the Acute Provider Collaborative across the three acute hospitals of SEL and the Bengali women’s focus group was made possible through a ‘menopause grant’ awarded to the APC from NHS London to improve Menopause care across SEL.
Dr. Nele Dumpert, Clinical Lead for the Women’s and Girls’ Health Hub in Greenwich, attended the session and answered questions, offering medical information and addressing common concerns related to menopause.
Participants had the opportunity to connect with others through shared experiences, and the session highlighted available local resources and support services. These included access to healthcare professionals, practical guidance, and emotional wellbeing tools relevant to menopause.
The session had three key aims;
- To facilitate a more open discussion around menopause and reduce embarrassment or taboo around discussing symptoms.
- To provide expert clinical advice from Dr Dumpert to address women’s questions around menopause that were raised at the session.
- To clarify how and when women may need support during menopause and signpost to services available and how to access appointments.
Women said they welcomed information that is accessible and relevant before symptoms begin. Personal stories shared during the session contributed to discussions about reducing stigma and promoting open communication.
A woman from the group shared, “Listening to other women’s stories helped me realise I’m not alone. I learned so much from their experiences”
Feedback collected during the session will inform the development of future health and wellbeing initiatives to better meet the needs of women across Greenwich.
Find out more about menopause and other women’s health issues on the new online Women and Girls’ Health Hub.