Menopause

Menopause is defined as a biological stage in a woman's life that occurs when she stops menstruating and reaches the end of her natural reproductive life. It's usually defined as having occurred when a woman has not had a period for twelve consecutive months (for women who reach menopause naturally).

The average age for a woman to reach menopause is 51, but it can be earlier or later than this due to surgery, illness or other reasons.

The changing age of the UK workforce means that between 75% & 80% of menopausal women are in work.

This is the time leading up to menopause when a woman may experience changes, such as irregular periods or other menopausal symptoms. This can be years before menopause.

This is the time after menopause has occurred, starting when a woman has not had a period for twelve consecutive months.

Not every woman has symptoms, or has every symptom, however 75% of women have some symptoms and 25% of those could be classed as severe.

Symptoms can manifest both physically and psychologically including (but not exclusively):

• hot flushes

• poor concentration

• headaches

• panic attacks

• heavy/light periods

• anxiety

• loss of confidence

• difficulty sleeping

Self-management, with support from colleagues, will help to manage symptoms. We recommend you seek advise from your GP in the first instance.

Please talk to your manager if you are struggling with symptoms of menopause, we may be able to assist by:

• looking at temperature control for your work area (e.g. fans, moving nearer windows, away from heat sources, etc.)

• easy access to drinking water

• adapting our dress code

• providing a rest room for breaks or a quiet area to help manage a severe hot flush

• ensuring easy access to washroom facilities and making sanitary products available

• providing storage for changes of clothes

• allowing time out to take medication if needed

• consideration of flexible working to assist with sleep patterns

• Agreed time out from others when needed (without having to ask permission)

• identifying a buddy for you to talk to

• regular protected time with your manager to discuss issues, focus on development and catch up with work

• review of workload and task allocation

• providing books for lists, actions boards or other memory assisting equipment