Menopause in the workplace

Menopause is being talked about a lot in at the moment because finally society is waking up to the fact that this really does have an impact on people’s lives, but we can actually do something about it!

What is the Menopause, the Menopause is a stage in live when women stop having a month periods, people say it is a normal part of aging but for some women the ‘Normal’ part of it just makes women feel they can’t talk about it or express how they feel, some it can impact their daily lives so much that they can’t function and the impact on their work can be massive so much so that Dr Louise Newson who specialising in Menopause says 10% of women going through Menopause are reported to have thought of giving up work because of it, but she envisages that to me so much more!

So the Menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years, but it can happen earlier than 45 this may be naturally or due to side affects of some treatments.

Dr Louise Newton clearly explains that The Menopause is actually a retrospective Diagnosis, a look back in time diagnosis and The Perimenopause is the period ‘Around’ Menopause. Some people can have Perimenopause symptoms for 5-6 years before the Menopause, so when someone is experiencing some of the following symptoms is actually in the Perimenopausal stage:

Examples of Perimenopause Symptoms

Irregular periods

Hot flushes

Sleep challenges

Irregular mood changes

Loss of bone

Decreasing Fertility

Vulnerable to urinary Tract infections

Not everyone woman will experience the same symptoms during the Perimenopause due to our body make up, like anyone who has Anaphylaxis, their symptoms will be different from another person with Anaphylaxis even if they are allergic to the same allergen ie Nuts.

Menopause in the workplace

As the Perimenopause symptoms impacts energy and concentration this will in turn impact self-confidence and self esteem and some really find that a challenge in the work place. If you have a Mental Health Champion or Ambassador in the work place, make sure these people are knowledgeable about Perimenopause so they can support. Make sure HR teams and aware of the impacts and can take these into consideration when managing sickness levels.

Stigma around the Menopause

Years ago many thought the menopause was just down to a women hysteria (Which was once a diagnosed disorder) something harmful, problematic and harmful to society, ever heard the phrase ‘Oh she is just menopausal’ it is these saying that assign the stigma to women going through Perimenopause. Meg Matthews who is the founder of MegsMenopause said ‘The biggest solution is to continue talking about it, despite the discomfort it may cause a very few’

Sometimes if someone talks to their boss about their Menopause symptom, often it is not taken seriously, perhaps a little giggle following the long standing thoughts from 100 years ago when ‘Hysteria’ was labelled.

So what can we do in the workplace to support?

Spread the word, this happens to lots of women and lets not brush it under the carpet, lets encourage other colleagues to talk about how they are feeling.
Have a Menopause Policy
Mental Health Champions/Ambassadors will be encouraged to have signposting posters and leaflets in staff rooms available about Mental Health Challenges, include the Menopause in this.
Does your company offer Employee Assistant Programme, do colleagues know they can access this for Menopause or Perimenopause support and guidance.
If you company offers health insurance does that cover Menopause/Perimenopause
Line mangers to be knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms and how they can support in the work place.

A heads up to men about the Perimenopause

So lads, if you understood more about the Perimenopause, there is factual evidence that your relationships with women around you that are going through those symptoms are better, using supportive language and de stigmatising ‘They are just menopausal’ workplace society can open a positive build on relationships.

Now Men and Menopause, fact or Myth

Hormone changes is a natural part of life but the ‘Male’ Menopause is different from women but is still a thing!

This can happen from late 40’s to early 50’s with a variety of symptoms.

Please follow the link below to find out more from the NHS about the ‘ Male’ Menopause. The ‘male menopause’ – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Davina McCall

I recently attended a webinar with Davina McCall, facilitated by Yu Life. The title was ‘Making Menopause Matter at Work’ and it was such an insightful hour of real life experiences. Davina is very passionate about supporting women though the Perimenopause.

Here is a video which Davina McCall recorded called ‘Menopause, HRT and me’ which gives an insight into copying with the symptoms MENOPAUSE, HRT and me !! | Davina McCall – YouTube

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