Supporting people with learning disabilities

Unfortunately, people with learning disabilities are more likely to face a number of health inequalities. However, that shouldn’t mean you have to deal with changes to your health without support from a doctor.

If you notice changes in your body or perimenopause symptoms + mention these to your doctor, a family member or someone you trust who supports you.

If you are on your GP’s learning disability register, you should be offered an annual health check. It is important to go to this. This is a good time to discuss any symptoms you may be having and any other health questions you have.

Of course, this is not the only time you can go to the doctor, and if you have any worries about your health, it’s important to book an appointment. However, the annual health check gives you a chance to talk about anything that may be happening with your body.

Not all GP surgeries offer learning disability annual health checks, ask your GP if they do. If they don’t, contact your local community learning disability team.

If you’re not sure that you can tell your doctor about your symptoms as well as you’d like, ask if you can choose someone to go with you. This could be a trusted family member, friend, support worker or independent advocate.

There isn’t much research around menopause and people with learning disabilities, so it is important that you, and the people who know you well, look out for signs and symptoms and support you to go to the doctor.