Living and Loving Well Beyond the Menopause...• Natural Solutions • Lifestyle solutions...

talkingmenopause.co.uk


Talking Menopause

West Midlands Employers


What is the menopause?

• Meno – pause• Natural / Induced

• Peri-menopause

• Post-menopause

• Average age 51 years

• Range 45-55 years

• Premature (eg POI, hysterectomy, certain chemo)


Who is affected?

• All women

• Around 80% have symptoms

• 25% have severe symptoms

• Half of women do not see their GP

• 42% say their symptoms are worse than expected

• 77% women did not realise their symptoms were due to the menopause

• Symptoms will affect every woman differently and for different periods of time


Hormone changes during the menopause

Estrogen

Progesterone


Estrogen

There is not a

part of the

body that is not

touched by

menopause.


Symptoms of the menopause

• Heavy / light periods

• Vaginal Dryness / Urinary Symptoms

• Joint pains

• Hair and skin changes

• Palpitations

• Worsening PMS

• Migraines

• Tiredness

• Poor memory / concentration / brain fog

• Inability to multi-task


Physical Symptoms – impact at work

Hot Flush

• Embarrassment

• Not in keeping with professional image

• Feel dirty/not able to wash or change clothes at work

• Isolate yourself

• Avoid stressful situations

• Concerned about being impaired


Psychological symptoms of the menopause

• Anxiety

• Irritability

• Panic attacks

• Feeling low

• Mood swings

• Feeling frustrated

• Tearful

• Loss of self-esteem

• Loss of self-confidence


Psychological Symptoms - impact at work

• Decision making

• Concentration

• Memory

• Work harder to offset detrimental effects on performance

• Emotional outburst – credibility undermined

• Effective role model for others


How long can menopausalsymptoms last for?

• Six months

• Two years

• 4 – 9 years

• More than ten years

• All of the above


Symptom Checker


Individualised Solutions

• HRT

• CBT

• Complementary Therapies

• Alternative Therapies

• Natural Solutions

• Lifestyle solutions


Menopause and work

• Having symptoms can lead to:

• Fall in productivity & performance• Time management• Emotional resilience• Ability to complete tasks effectively

• Increased stress• Being more likely to quit their job• Lower commitment to work & organisation• Less engaged & motivated• Increased absenteeism• Reduced job satisfaction

How easily are these recognised and accepted?


Challenges in the workplace

70 % of women not wanting to make employers aware of their symptoms:

Why?Embarrassed, feel weak, ridiculed, mocked, made a joke of, trivialized redundancy, promotion, feel alone, isolated, suffer in silence, difficult to ask for help

Two thirds of women say they have no support at work

Why?Line Manager HR

OH EAP

Menopause is not taken seriously in the workplace


Potential Reasonableadjustments

• Changing start times

• Providing regular breaks

• Facilitating desk move to location closest to toilets facilities/ventilation

• Adjustments to absent management procedures

• Adjustments to performance management procedures

• Reducing hours of work

• Reducing workload

• Change of role

• Reallocating certain tasks

▪ Comfortable working environment eg.temperature, ventilation


West Midlands RAP Example

Clare’s Experiences Reasonable Adjustment Solution

• Unpredictable hot sweats & nausea several

times/day

• Joint aches & pains

• Erratic panic attacks causing increased stress &

anxiety

• Poor memory recall / brain fog especially under

pressure

• Emotional changes / blank mind

• Increased fatigue, lower energy levels

• Feeling isolated & alone


West Midlands RAP Example

Clare’s Experiences Reasonable Adjustment Solution

• Unpredictiable hot sweats & nausea several times/day

• Provided with desk fan• Easy access to kitchen for cold drinks & food

• Joint aches & pains• Erratic panic attacks causing increased stress &

anxiety

• Take regular breaks when she needs to

• Poor memory recall / brain fog especially under pressure

• Emotional changes / blank mind

• Team / manager aware and ensured• Supported to create relevant reminders eg diary, notebook, electronic

calendar• Reduced pressure / workload as appropriate• Flexible working pattern introduced / agreed

• Increased fatigue, lower energy levels • Take regular breaks when she needs to• Flexible working pattern introduced / agreed

• Feeling isolated & alone • Team made aware of symptoms and supportive to her needs (with consent)

• Runs menopause support group• D & I Lead for age for department


“Five years on, my symptoms are well managed, and I feel back to my old self. I feel that the RAP was pivotal to my on-going welfare at the time, and continued employment in my role with the organisation”


How can you help?

Key messages

Help to normalise it because it is normal!

Talk about it – we need to change the culture

Practical tools to help

Symptom checker

Reasonable adjustment Passport as a template

NICE guidelines


Further Information:

• www.menopausedoctor.co.uk – Dr Louise Newson

• www.menopausesupport.co.uk – Diane Danzebrink• #makemenopausematter

• FB Group

• FOM Guidance on Menopause & the Workplace

• NICE Guidelines for Menopause

• www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/culture/well-being/menopause

• www.acas.org.uk/menopause

• www.talkingmenopause.co.uk

http://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/

http://www.menopausesupport.co.uk/

http://www.acas.org.uk/menopause

Living and Loving Well Beyond the Menopause...• Natural Solutions • Lifestyle solutions...

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