Menopause awareness

As a workplace which is predominately female – accounting for around 75% of our total workforce – we thought it might be useful to share some helpful information about the menopause, following on from World Menopause Day on October the 18th.

Menopause is the natural end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and reproductive years, and typically occurs between the ages of 45-55, but can start earlier or later than this. It is a natural part of aging, but even in the present day it is still the subject of stigma and is often simply not spoken about.

Unfortunately, this can make it difficult for women to talk about their own personal experiences and seek support. Research has shown that 59% of women experiencing menopausal symptoms say it has a negative impact on their work.

As few as one in four women will go through the menopause without noticeable symptoms, while one in four will have symptoms severe enough to disrupt their day-to-day lives.

Symptoms

There are over 30 recognised symptoms, which can include:

• Hot flushes
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Stiff joints, aches and pains
• Heavy periods
• Insomnia
• Itchy skin
• Osteoporosis
• Weight gain
• Anxiety
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Reduced concentration
• Brain fog

An individual could experience any number or combination of the above symptoms, or none at all. As with everything, everyone is different.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the phase leading up to menopause. It can start as early as age 40 and last for several years. During this phase, hormone levels begin to fluctuate, which can lead to an array of physical and emotional symptoms.

How to be supportive

We hope for all employees to feel supported and understood, regardless of their age or stage of life. Here are a few things that workplaces can do to support colleagues who are going through menopause:

• Be aware of the symptoms of menopause and how they can affect people in different ways.
• Create an open and supportive environment where people feel comfortable talking about their experiences.
• Be flexible where required.
• Provide access to information and resources about menopause.

If you are a woman who is going through menopause, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to support you, and you should not hesitate to reach out for help – whether this be to a friend, relative, colleague or health practitioner.

Further reading

Local Government Association – Menopause Factfile

Workplace Discrimination – Oakwood Solicitors

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.