Raising awareness.
The 18th October is World Menopause Day, a day to raise awareness about menopause and its impact on women’s health and wellbeing.
It’s a day to get conversations started, on what can seem like a taboo subject.
What better way to explore this topic, than by stopping for a chat at our Coffee House to talk to 2 of our colleagues, Kristina and Claire, to understand it from their perspective and how it can impact working life.
How have you found speaking about menopause whilst at work?
K – I find it so nice and refreshing that conversations like this can happen! I’m able to find people at work that I can talk to and share experiences, which has really helped.
C – Yes, definitely! I’ve never felt comfortable enough to talk about issues I’ve faced, not just menopause, whilst at work.
How would you say menopausal symptoms have impacted you?
C – For me, I saw a real increase in my anxiety. At first I didn’t realise it was a symptom of menopause, and had a lack of understanding of why I was feeling like I did. Even though there shouldn’t be a stigma around menopause, I think that’s the reason that many women suffer in silence.
K – I’ve noticed both physical symptoms, and impacts to my mental health. The biggest change though has got to be brainfog.
C – Oh my god, yes! I get brainfog too, sometimes it can be a struggle to remember things.
Have these symptoms affected you whilst at work?
K – Yes, I’ve been presenting at a board meeting and experienced brainfog. My first emotion was thinking that people would assume I’m incompetent and unable to do my job. Some days it can be a real struggle, and you feel emotionally drained, which can have a real impact when leading a team.
How has menopause affected you personally?
C – I went through a time where I had lost who I was – it’s like having to build your confidence back from nothing.
K – For me, it took over a year to even be diagnosed. During that time there was a lot of back and forth and confusion surrounding the topic of menopause.
How should employers support colleagues going through menopause?
C – By implementing an open environment and culture, employees will feel like they don’t need to mask any of their symptoms. If you’re a Manager, I’d say regularly checking in with your team makes a real difference.
What advice would you give to anyone going through menopause?
C – I’d definitely recommend going to see a Female Specialist or Nurse Practitioner in Women’s Health, and write down a list of symptoms before you go (or you might forget!) Often, women are misdiagnosed, which means it can take months or even years before being given any treatment.
K – I feel like there’s a preconception that you should have everything put together – but this can have a really negative impact! Take it day by day, and speak to people who’re going through a similar situation.
C – Derby Community Trust is also a really good free resource, not only for women, but also for men. They talk about how to manage symptoms, and how to support someone going through menopause.
Menopause in the workplace
A recent survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that 3 out of 5 of working women, who’re experiencing menopausal symptoms, said it has a negative impact whilst at work.
In fact, 10% of women leave their jobs due to menopause symptoms (that’s more than 1 million women!)
Symptoms of menopause can last between 4 and 12 years, having a real impact on someone’s mental health, career, and social life.
Menopause symptoms range from cognitive, physical and psychological, and can include:
- Hot flushes
- Heart palpitations
- Sleep disturbance
- Muscular aches
- Anxiety
- Headaches and migraines
- Night sweats
- Poor concentration
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, however it can happen a lot earlier.
Menopausal women are the fastest growing demographic in the workforce, yet, there remains to be a lack of conversation surrounding the impact of menopause. Let’s get talking!
For any support surrounding menopause, here are some useful links:
