For many women, menopause causes a great deal of stress, and being at work can make it worse. Are you feeling the impact and don't know where to turn?
Menopause is a natural stage of life that millions of women workers are either going through now or will experience in the future. Why then is it rarely discussed at work,?
For most women menopause happens between the ages of 45 and 55 with an average age of 52, although a minority of women experience it in their 30s or earlier. Symptoms associated with the menopause include hot flushes, palpitations, night sweats and sleep disturbance, fatigue, skin irritation and dryness poor concentration, irritability, mood disturbance. Overall, this period of hormonal change and associated symptoms can last from four to eight years!
Some simple measures that may help your symptoms:
· Wear light clothing
· Keep your bedroom cool at night
· Use a fan or have a cold drink
· Get plenty of rest
· Take regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight
· Get some sunlight or take vitamin D supplements if you don’t feel you’re getting enough of this
· Stop smoking and reduce your alcohol intake
Even with such changes, menopause can affect relationships and performance at work but unfortunately there remains little support for women (and those around them) to know how best to cope. I am sharing this menopause cafe on 10th September Menopause at 9-10am
Alternatively, if you think this is something you or your employees need help with, please contact morag@moonstir.co.uk and we can arrange some specialist support to be provided.