A YOUNG producer has shone a light on the issues facing women going through menopause who can't afford expert help.
Sam Evans, creator of local productions 'Love on the Rocks' and 'Unstoppable', has created a new documentary to highlight the issues associated with menopause.
Titled 'The Change: Menopause, Money and Supplements', the documentary is fronted by Rainhill-based Donna Madge.
The documentary went online on World Menopause Day on Tuesday, October 18, to raise awareness of the problems facing women.
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Sam, who has produced the film with 'Glass Object', said: "As a male producer and going into this without a lot of prior knowledge about menopause, I found it super interesting and surprising the extent menopause affects women and impacts their day-to-day lives.
"All of the menopause documentaries out there (not that there are very many) have celebrity women fronting them, but the celebrity opinion is not a reflection of working-class women.
"Celebrities have financial support which grants them access to specialist private clinics and expensive supplements and care on the market.
"Our documentary explores this whilst also highlighting how women are feeling forced to pay to get help and tap into the online menopause supplement market; that we find to be a whirlwind of paid product placements and overpriced pill subscriptions."
In his research for previous productions, a common theme that Sam found in community groups were the struggles that women face when it comes to menopause treatment.
Along with his presenter Donna, Sam delves into these issues in the 30-minute documentary.
Sam said that the informative documentary highlights the real-life impacts that menopause has had on local people, and in particular their health, finances, and relationships.
Sam added: "There is so much that this documentary brings to the table in comparison to celeb-headed docs.
"I would love for this to be communicated in St Helens since the production was filmed locally and focuses on women who aren't celebrities with cash to throw on expert care."
To watch 'The Change: Menopause, Money and Supplements', visit this link.
To find out more about Sam's work, visit his Instagram page here.
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