Menopause, does it affect us all?
For decades the menopause was something women found embarrassing. It was barely mentioned, and when it was, it was with jokes about hot flushes or angry outbursts.
But things are changing – thank goodness! Suddenly celebrities including Davina McCall and Michelle Obama are sharing their experiences, and starting the conversation which can only be a good thing, right? After all, all women – with some medical exceptions – go through it, typically around age 51, with peri-menopausal symptoms lasting up to twelve years.
Often the menopause coincides with the stresses of the "sandwich generation," who are caring for both aging parents and their own children. This along with the long list of menopause symptoms, can affect not only the women experiencing them but also those around them, who may find the changes bewildering and upsetting.
Menopause has many well-known symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, and mood swings. But there are lesser-known symptoms, including memory loss, depression, anxiety, cold flushes, and taste changes.
The good news is that these days women don’t need to suffer in silence. There are treatments that can help relieve the symptoms, from various types of HRT to natural remedies, talking therapies, supplements and more. If you’re suffering from any of the physical symptoms, have a chat with your GP. It’s worth taking some time to record your symptoms using an app or your diary.
If you’re struggling with the emotional symptoms, it can be helpful to seek support from therapists or support groups.
Women who come to Fortis during peri-menopause or after the menopause, are often suffering from a variety of issues, including relationship breakdown, low confidence in their abilities and decision making, along with feeling out of control and vulnerable. Women often refer to feeling like they’ve ‘gone mad’ during the menopause, which can be dismissed as light-hearted, when in fact, it can be debilitating, upsetting and life changing.
Often, the women we see are struggling at work, either due to lack of support, which can result in a career breakdown or feeling the need for a job change or stopping working altogether.
Sadly, even though the importance of acknowledging menopause in the workplace is becoming more common, menopause support and understanding is often lacking, compounding the challenges women face during this time. Meaning, when a business tries, it can appear half-hearted and miss the mark.
Fortis provide individuals and businesses with supportive talks and/or training tailored to their unique needs, ensuring a workplace culture that supports mental health and wellbeing for everyone, no matter the challenges they’re facing.
On a positive note, it does get better. A woman is considered post-menopausal if she’s not had a period for over one year. And according to anecdotal evidence, that’s when the fun starts!
Author: Alexis Powell-Howard
