October marks Menopause Awareness Month, providing an important opportunity to increase understanding of menopause, encourage open conversations and ensure that people experiencing it feel recognised and supported.
Menopause is a natural stage of life, but the experience can vary enormously from one person to another. For some, symptoms may be relatively mild, while for others they can have a significant impact on physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, confidence and working life.
Understanding Menopause
Menopause occurs when periods stop due to changing hormone levels. The time leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, can begin several years beforehand, and it is during this period that many people first experience symptoms.
Although hot flushes and changes to periods are perhaps the most widely recognised signs, menopause can affect people in many different ways. Symptoms may include sleep difficulties, night sweats, fatigue, headaches, joint or muscle discomfort, changes in mood, anxiety, difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”, memory problems and reduced confidence.
Because the experience is so individual, it is important not to make assumptions about how somebody may be feeling or what support they might need.
Breaking the Silence
For generations, menopause was something that was rarely discussed openly. Thankfully, that is changing.
Talking about menopause helps to remove unnecessary stigma and makes it easier for people to seek information, speak with healthcare professionals and ask for support when they need it. It also helps colleagues, managers, partners, friends and family members develop a greater understanding of what someone may be experiencing.
Sometimes simply being able to say “I’m struggling at the moment” and knowing that the person listening will respond with understanding rather than judgement can make a meaningful difference.
Menopause and the Workplace
Menopause does not stop when somebody arrives at work. Symptoms such as disrupted sleep, fatigue, anxiety, hot flushes or difficulties with concentration can make an ordinary working day considerably more challenging.
Support does not always require major changes. A supportive conversation, greater flexibility, access to drinking water, appropriate temperature control, additional breaks or temporary adjustments to working arrangements may all help.
Perhaps most importantly, people should feel able to have a confidential conversation without embarrassment or fear that experiencing menopause will lead others to question their ability or professionalism.
Looking After Your Wellbeing
If you are experiencing perimenopause or menopause, there is no need to simply struggle through symptoms alone. Understanding what is happening can be an important first step.
Keeping track of symptoms may help you identify patterns and can be useful when speaking with a healthcare professional. Looking after sleep, maintaining regular physical activity, eating well, managing stress and making time for yourself can also support general wellbeing.
If symptoms are affecting your health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, work or everyday life, consider speaking with your GP or another qualified healthcare professional. They can discuss your individual circumstances and the support or treatment options that may be appropriate for you.
Supporting Someone Else
You don’t need to be experiencing menopause yourself for Menopause Awareness Month to matter.
Being willing to listen, avoiding assumptions and taking somebody’s experience seriously can all help. You don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes a simple “How can I support you?” is a good place to start.
Menopause is a normal part of life, but that doesn’t mean its impact should be underestimated or faced without support.
Greater awareness creates greater understanding. Greater understanding encourages better conversations. And better conversations can help ensure that nobody feels they have to navigate menopause alone.
Oct26, E&OE
