A new workshop exploring the menopause has launched in Oakham.

The first session, which took place yesterday (6 February) at Oakham Refill Shoppe, saw Rutland residents meet to explore the impact of the menopause in a safe and inclusive space.

The menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier and affects anyone who has periods.

Menopause can happen naturally, or for reasons such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or a genetic reason. Sometimes the reason is unknown.

Menopause, and perimenopause, can cause symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods. These symptoms can start years before your periods stop and carry on afterwards.

Symptoms can have a big impact on your life, including relationships and work, but there are things you can do to help with symptoms - and this group is set out to help menopausal residents explore their options and feel less alone.

There is still a big stigma around the menopause, which is why the team at Oakham Refill Shoppe are happy to be hosting these monthly sessions.

Join a monthly session exploring and de-stigmatising the menopause in Rutland. Image credit: Oakham Rifill Shoppe.

The free sessions take place on the first Tuesday of every month and take place at Oakham Refill Shoppe, 2 Melton Road, Oakham, Rutland.

They take place from 6pm until 8pm and are hosted in conjunction with Rutland County Council.

To find out more, email [email protected]. Alternately, share your own upcoming events, groups, workshops and more by emailing [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you.