Wellness at Work Segment: Menopause

Menopause in the Workplace

This segment is part of the Wellness at Work Corporate Edit; blogs that are designed to give quick tips and advice to guide corporations in supporting their employees in the best way.

This week’s blog looks at menopause in the workplace - how it not only affects women, but those around them too and how we can all play our part in supporting those going through it.

What is the Menopause?

The NHS defines the Menopause as when periods stop due to lower hormone levels. Whilst it usually affects women (and others with a uterus) between the ages of 45 and 55, it can happen earlier than this – when this happens it is referred to as premature menopause.

Menopause can happen naturally, or can be induced earlier than expected, such as when the ovaries or uterus are removed (hysterectomy), if a woman has undergone chemotherapy, or due to genetic reasons. Sometimes the reason is simply unknown.

In the few years prior to Menopause, women may experience symptoms of it, which is referred to as Perimenopause. These symptoms happen even though your periods have not yet stopped and can include:

·       Irregular periods

·       Hot flushes

·       Problems with sleep

·       Mood changes

·       Vaginal issues such as dryness or frequent infections

·       Changes in sexual function

·       Brain fog

Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have a huge impact on a woman’s life, affecting how they feel about themselves, their relationships with others, and their work.

Perimenopause is considered to have ended and menopause reached when you have not had a period for 12 months.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a commonly used treatment for those going through menopause, helping to boost the hormones that are reduced. This comes in various different forms, including tablets, gels, patches, and sprays. Additional hormonal supplements can be used to balance post-menopausal hormones.

In addition to this, there are medicines available to help alleviate symptoms such as hot flushes, which can be very uncomfortable if untreated. Mental health is also hugely important, with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) an effective treatment for those suffering with mood changes.

What can a workplace do to support their staff going through the Menopause?

Firstly, it is important to recognise the impact the menopause has on the day to day lives of women – and not just in the short-term. Perimenopause and menopause are not overnight events. Having a policy in place to support staff at this time of their lives is a great place to start.

It’s vital to open up the conversation around menopause so it doesn’t become a taboo topic. It is entirely natural and, one way or another, it will affect most of us at some point in our lives – even if it’s not happening to us, it will be happening to others around us. Therefore, it should be recognised as an organisational issue. Knowing that they can talk openly about their symptoms can make women feel a lot more comfortable and improve their mental health.

Practical Suggestions

·       Consider having a ‘handy box’ available in the toilets, containing things as sanitary products, freshening wipes, deodorant, and cooling sprays. These things can be a real lifesaver if an irregular period makes an appearance or a hot flush hits.

·       In addition to the above, providing fans, access to cool water and ventilation will help with hot flushes too.

·       Flexibility is key. If we’re not feeling our best, working from home often makes us feel a lot more comfortable. We have access to our own toilet when we need it, can keep the room we’re working in at a comfortable temperature for us, and we save on tiring commutes. If you can offer your staff the option to work from home, this is a huge benefit.

·       Uniforms. If your staff are required to wear a uniform, is it a practical material? If possible, the fabric should be as breathable as possible, allowing the wearer to comfortably regulate their own temperature.

·       If working from home isn’t possible, can hours be adjusted? Coming in later may be a real help if someone is struggling with their sleep.

·       Adapting roles. If a role is very physically demanding, making adjustments to this – even temporarily whilst symptoms are at their peak – is very helpful. If someone is suffering from heavy flooding, standing all day may be nigh on impossible. Simply providing a chair behind a till is a practical adjustment that makes all the difference.

·       Trust. Foster positive, open communications within the workplace, so anyone dealing with the menopause feels comfortable coming to you to discuss how you can help.

·       Training. Teach managers and staff to recognise the symptoms of menopause and how to approach it with their team members in a kind and sensitive manner.

·       Confidence boosting. Symptoms such as brain fog can make women feel like they’re not capable of their jobs and knock their confidence. Acknowledging this and reassuring them that they are more than capable will help minimise the impact of this.

By recognising the menopause for the life change that it is, opening up lines of communication, and making adjustments to support your staff, you can lead the change when it comes to menopause in the workplace.

I hope this article is of value to you. Otentikcare promotes holistic wellness in the workplace, supporting employees of every age and at every stage of life. You can work with Patience to develop bespoke wellness plans for your company - click here to get in touch and find out more.