A support group is holding a county-wide event for women coping with pain associated with menopause and perimenopause.

South Cumbria support group Menopause Matters is holding an online forum for World Menopause Day, inviting people to share their experiences and ask questions.

World Menopause Day is an annual event started by the International Menopause Society (IMS), with this year’s theme Chronic Pain At Midlife.

Facilitator Leigh Williams said she hoped Sunday’s free online event, being held between 19:00 and 20:00 BST, would “open up the conversation” around pain and menopause.

Menopause Matters also holds a monthly cafe-style drop-in in Barrow-in-Furness, offering women the opportunity to meet up in an informal environment.

Williams was inspired to become a facilitator because of her own experience with perimenopause and chronic pain.

“I know what it feels like when pain starts to shrink your world,” she said. “Some of the women that come to the support groups are really desperate for an outlet, they haven’t been able to talk about these topics or get the support that they wanted.”