» Menopause and the Workplace

“Nearly half of women (47%) surveyed who are in employment and who needed to take a day off because of the menopause said they wouldn’t feel…”.¹

Umbrella
What may the Menopause and the Workplace Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

For Workplaces
Menopause Workplace

Menopause Workplace Guidance

Is a menopause society, menopause workplace ‘how-to’ guide available?

Yes. In Menopause and the Workplace Guidance: What To Consider published in February 2019, by Dr Claire Hardy, Lecturer in Organisational Health and Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University in collaboration with the medical advisory council of the British Menopause Society, explains:

“This factsheet provides a ‘how-to’ guide for employers and relevant staff within organisations that are considering writing their own guidance on the menopause”.²

Menopause Workplace Strategies

What menopause workplace strategies may be helpful to women?

On page 80 in EMAS Recommendations for Conditions In the Workplace for Menopausal Women [European Menopause and Andropause Society] published in 2016, Griffiths, A, Ceausu, I, Depypere, H, Lambrinoudaki, I, Mueck A, Perez-Lopez, P, Schouw, Y, Senturk, L, Senturk, L, Simoncini, T, Stevenson, J, Stute, P and Rees M, elaborate on:

“2. Recommendations:

2.1 Raise awareness
2.2 Allow disclosure of troublesome symptoms
2.3 Review control over workplace temperature and ventilation
2.4 Reduce work-related stress
2.5 Allow flexible working arrangements
2.6 Provide access to cold drinking water
2.7 Ensure access to toilets”.³

Menopause Definition

What is menopause?

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. In Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. What Is Menopause? the North American Menopause Society’s definition is:

“A. First off, menopause is not a disease. Menopause is a normal, natural event—defined as the final menstrual period and usually confirmed when a woman has missed her periods for 12 consecutive months (in the absence of other obvious causes)”.⁴

Menopause Age

What is the average age of menopause?

In What Is Menopause? the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) explain:

“Most women become menopausal naturally between the ages of 45 and 55 years, with the average age of onset at around 50 years. Premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency may occur before the age of 40 due to natural ovarian function ceasing, following surgery to remove the ovaries, or as a result of cancer treatments. Menopause is considered “early” when it occurs between 40 and 45 years”.⁵

Menopause Symptoms

What are some menopause symptoms?

In Perimenopause: How To Manage the Change Before ‘The Change’ the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health elaborate on:

“For some, perimenopause causes few health issues. But around 20% of women experience moderate to severe symptoms, which can include:

Hot flushes
Night sweats
Problems with falling asleep, staying asleep and sleep quality
Breast tenderness
Itchy/crawly/dry skin
Exhaustion
Trouble concentrating
Irregular periods
Vaginal dryness
Loss of libido (sex drive)
Migraines
More pronounced pre-menstrual tension
Mood changes – these may include feeling more teary and irritable. Chronic or increased anxiety may also occur
Weight gain, despite no changes to diet or exercise”.⁶

Duration

How long may menopause symptoms last?

In What Is Menopause? Key Points? the AMS elaborate on

“These symptoms last on average 4-8 years, but are usually most frequent and severe in the year around the final menstrual period”.⁷

Work Impact

What impact may menopause have on women’s working lives?

In New Survey Highlights Impact of the Menopause on Every Aspect of Women’s Lives In the UK published in October 2017, it was noted:

“Nearly half of women (47%) surveyed who are in employment and who needed to take a day off because of the menopause said they wouldn’t feel comfortable disclosing the real reason to their employer or colleagues”.⁸

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to find out what menopause information is applicable to me?

If you would like to find out what menopause information is applicable to you, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Menopause Symptoms and Relief: When Should I See My Doctor About My Menopause Symptoms? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov explain:

“If any of your menopause symptoms bother you, talk with your doctor or nurse. When you talk about treatments, you might discuss:

Your symptoms and how much they bother you
Your health risks based on your age and your health
Whether you have used a treatment like menopausal hormone therapy before
Whether menopausal hormone therapy is an option for you, based on your past health and family history
Whether you have already reached post-menopause and, if so, how long ago”.⁹

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