World Menopause Day

Today is World Menopause Day. 

A day providing an opportunity to break stigma that unfortunately still exist around menopause. A day to encourage open discussions about a natural transition in a woman’s life.

Johnson Astills prides itself on being a firm which predominantly consists of women and so we see the important in World Menopause Day.

What is the menopause?

The menopause is part of the ageing process in a woman’s life during which her periods stop and her ovaries lose reproductive function as her body produces less oestrogen.  It normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but in some cases women may become menopausal much earlier.

The period leading up to the menopause (when a woman’s body begins to change and she starts to experience symptoms), which typically starts four or five years before menopause itself, is called the perimenopause.  Women may also continue to experience symptoms after menopause and that is called the post-menopause phase.  The symptoms are the same in all phases, though the number of symptoms experienced and their severity will vary between the stages and from person to person.  Symptoms can last for up to 15 years in total.

Symptoms of menopause include hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, poor memory, loss of concentration, anxiety/low mood, weight gain, hair loss, irregular bleeding, light-headedness and joint stiffness.

These symptoms can be incredibly distressing and have a significant impact on a woman’s general wellbeing and ability to carry out their job.  This can impact not only their productivity and performance, but also their attendance and morale at work. 

What can individuals do?

There are steps you can take to help and to help others support you.  Examples include:

Open communication.  You should be open with others about the fact that you may be going through the menopause, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms affecting your day to day life.

Be proactive. You should seek medical advice from their GP at an early stage. 

Seek help.  There are plenty of online resources, support groups/networks and professionals who specialise in supporting women experiencing the menopause.  Do not suffer in silence!

Conclusion

Menopause affects different women in different ways.  There is clearly not a “one size fits all” approach to dealing with individuals experiencing the menopause.  However, one thing for certain is that Johnson Astills will continue to raise awareness in years to come.  

Johnson Astills will continue to break the stigma around menopause and to encourage open discussions to ensure that our employees feel supported.