A day in the life of working with Menopause
Working in a male dominated industry is challenging enough for women but to be working with Menopause as well is a whole different story……
The alarm goes off at 7am but I am usually awake already after another restless night, of night sweats, aching limbs many bathroom trips and generally just not being able to get comfortable and then having a million and one things going through your head because you are awake so relaxing is not an option. Then the feeling of anger and distress comes in a wave because you are tired and know you have to get up, go to the bathroom look in the mirror and see a person you do not recognise with dry and lifeless skin and hair and bags the size of suitcases under your eyes, but you continue to get ready for the day, and do the best you can with making yourself look and feel presentable. Then the drive to work, once you park up you are already giving yourself a little chat before you leave the car saying this is going to be a good day I can do this, you put on your best smile and find that bubbly person you are and begin the short walk to the office which sometimes feels longer.
Once in the office you greet your colleagues and get on with your work and all is well, but then sometimes it can be an hour, 2 or 3 later you suddenly feel nervous, anxious, irritable, and emotional for no apparent reason other than its your hormone levels changing so you can go from happy to sad at the flick of a switch, laughing and joking one minute to quiet and subdued. Some days at around 3-4pm you start to have brain fog and find it very hard to concentrate which causes frustration and anxiety that you are not able to do your job well, so puts more pressure on yourself. Then the drive home which is also an anxious time especially in the dark months, it suddenly becomes like you’re taking your life in your own hands and are driving on auto pilot, it’s just that everything is heightened and feels more scary than it actually is.
The menopause is unfortunately a natural part of life, and if it is met with understanding, women and their partners, male colleagues and managers will be able to navigate it much more easily. It is good to see that more workplaces are now putting training, policies in place to be able to adapt and respond to menopause in more helpful way to take away the taboo of starting that conversation. As with all struggles, difficulties in life it is always good to talk. Women should not have to give up their jobs, partners, or family members or friends because of menopause. Around 10% of women consider giving up work because of their symptoms meaning organisations lose some very valuable talent unnecessarily. The key to understanding is awareness, and if more men knew about the menopause and women felt supported at home and work, the difference could make their experience of it so much more manageable. There is much more information/guidance and advise out there now to help all.
Here are a few top tips that could help in your workplace:
Start the conversation
Understand that the menopause impacts on more than the individual women, it affects families and colleagues too
Raise awareness and Education
Provide space for women to have ‘me time’
Encourage healthy lifestyle, including exercise and healthy eating
Look at possible menopause issues within staff appraisals and absence records
Remember to review and learn, as this is a developing area for still lots of people and workplaces.