Menopause at work

The collective voice for the UK's maritime industries.
Menopause at Work
Supporting People Experiencing the Menopause
Break the taboo surrounding the menopause!
Hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, weight gain, mood swings, memory loss. These are
just some of the symptoms that women can experience during the menopause.
Some women suffer these adverse effects for several years, often at the peak of their
career, when they are still raising children and juggling other care-giving responsibilities.
It's no surprise that this transitional period of life can significantly impact women's careers,
relationships, and home life. In fact, six out of ten women experiencing menopausal
symptoms say it has a negative impact on their work, much of which is made worse by the
societal taboo that is often associated with the subject. [1]
Menopause shouldn't have to result in women suffering in silence at work – or worse,
pressing pause on their careers. In this article, we take a look at what people can do to
manage menopausal symptoms at work, as well as what managers and organizations can
do to support them.
What Is the Menopause?
A woman is said to have reached the menopause when she's gone 12 months without a
menstrual period, but she can experience symptoms for months or even years before this
(known as the perimenopause). It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the
average age being 51 in the U.K. and the U.S.. [2] [3]
Symptoms can be both physical and psychological. Here are some of the most common
ones:
• Hot flashes (or flushes). This is one of the most common symptoms, experienced by
three in four women. They are short, sudden waves of heat, and usually affect the
face, neck and chest, making the skin red and sweat
Courtesy of Mind Tools https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/menopause-at-work.htm

• Irregular periods, which can range from light to very heavy.
• Night sweats.
• Insomnia.
• Headaches or migraines.
• Reduced libido.
• Weight gain.
• Mood changes, such as low mood, anger or anxiety (which can lead to depression).
• Joint stiffness.
• Memory problems and loss of concentration (sometimes referred to as "brain fog").
The decline in oestrogen associated with menopause can also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke
and osteoporosis (brittle bones) later in life. [2]