Most of the content on this intranet is made up of ex county council information due to the county intranet being turned off. Please read the blog to find out more about how we have developed this new intranet and where you can go to find information that relates to you.
Women's health
Advice and guidance on women's health including menopause and cancer screening.
Menopause
Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55.
It can sometimes happen earlier 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.
Perimenopause is when you have symptoms before your periods have stopped. You reach menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months.
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.
Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have a big impact on your life, including relationships and work. There are things you can do to help with symptoms. There are also medicines that can replace the missing hormones and help relieve your symptoms.
The aim of this guidance is to help create an environment where women feel confident enough to raise issues about their symptoms and ask for adjustments at work. We will aim to promote a greater understanding of the menopause and seek to eradicate any exclusionary or discriminatory practices.
This guidance may also be useful for employees who have family members who are going through the menopause, as this may also be affecting them.
Menopause Guidance (PDF 486KB)
Menopause Network
A Menopause Network is now being established. As well as providing support to colleagues the group are looking at raising awareness of menopause, support available and suggested improvements to workplace policies and guidance. If this is something that you might be interested in or if you have colleagues who may be interested please can you email: staffnetworkgroups@cumberland.gov.uk.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a cancer that's found anywhere in the cervix.
The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus).
It's part of the reproductive system and is sometimes called the neck of the womb.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
It can often be prevented by attending cervical screening, which aims to find and treat changes to cells before they turn into cancer.
Cervical cancer usually grows very slowly. How serious it is depends on how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.
Symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- vaginal bleeding that's unusual for you - including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
- changes to your vaginal discharge
- pain during sex
- pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy
Cervical screening
Cervical screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every three years for those aged 25 to 49, and every five years from the ages of 50 to 64.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer.
About 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected at an early stage.
For this reason, it's vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always have any changes examined by a GP.
Breast cancer can have several symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by a doctor.
You should also see a GP if you notice any of these symptoms:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.
Find out more about the symptoms of breast cancer.
Breast screening
Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women over 70 can self-refer.