Bethan Lloyd and Rachel Herrick (HDUHB), Geraint Scales (North Ceredigion GP Cluster), Jackson Reynolds (South Ceredigion GP Cluster) and Eleri Davies (Carmarthen (Teifi/Taf) GP Cluster)
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Women’s Health Conditions damage patients’ mental health and quality of life.
The Women’s Health Psychology Project’s aim is to reduce the suffering of 250 women by December 2025. This is a new and innovative approach, integrating psychological support into Women’s Health Services. There is a a high prevalence of psychological and emotional distress among patients within the women’s health and pelvic health pathways, which severely impacts wellbeing, mental health, social lives, relationships, and occupational functioning.
One in ten women live with Endometriosis, and one in four women experience severe menopause symptoms requiring psychological support to manage stress, anxiety, and depression. The highest age group to commit suicide among females in the UK is 50-54 years, corresponding with the menopause.
Endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and premenstrual syndrome require intrusive investigation procedures over several years for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Living with any of these health conditions means living with the threat of infertility, chronic pelvic pain, sexual intimacy difficulties, heavy bleeding, and fatigue, which negatively impact every aspect of a woman’s life; personally, socially, and psychologically. Menopause affects women in numerous ways – changes in hormones affect mood, confidence, anxiety, sleep, and body temperature regulation. It’s common for women to become anxious, lose confidence, experience low mood and suffer cognitive symptoms with increased brain fog.
This project tests a new approach to mental health care for women. A clinical health psychology service, funded by Primary Care, provides specialist psychological care for women with women’s health conditions that adversely affect their functioning and wellbeing. The service delivers individual and group therapies, improving efficacy and maximising accessibility. Effective remote delivery will support digital health care, spread and scaling opportunities, reduce workforce challenges, and contribute to carbon reduction and the sustainability green agenda.
