What is Menopause?

Expert article by Tish Fisher, founder of Menopause Body & Mind

So……“What is menopause?” I hear you ask ………. A very good question. Some
would say an hormonal deficiency, others would say end of monthly
menstruation whilst those going through it may describe it as a nightmare!
The more broadly used word “menopause” however is an umbrella term for the
transformational journey that individuals undertake during their life cycle. That
transformational journey is made up of 3 stages: perimenopause, menopause
and post-menopause. Each stage is different and can bring both challenges and
rewards.
“What does the word ‘menopause’ conjure up for you?”
When I ask this question during my sessions, the reply is usually hot, angry,
tired, old. I have only ever had one lady shout out “fabulous”! I was obviously
intrigued – why? She explained that she really wanted to continue working so
whilst she struggled with her symptoms, she worked hard at a change of
mindset. I would love to think in a perfect world that we could all work on
mindset and everything would be OK and our symptoms and challenges would
diminish. Alas, in the real world, individuals can suffer many complications
during menopause which cannot be helped by mindset alone.
Whilst organisations are engaging with menopause a little more now,
unfortunately it continues to conjure up negative connotations; from the pictures
we see, to the articles we read and even to some individuals still rolling their
eyes at the mere mention of it in the workplace! But I see this as a positive
journey and my message to everyone is:
Menopause is nothing to be ashamed of. It DOES NOT symbolise
old age or the end, just the beginning of a new chapter.
And guess what – YOU get to write that chapter

so make it an exciting one!
I’ll be honest, I’m very young at heart and thought I was way too young to go
through the menopause. As a result, when it came along, it hit me like a tonne of
bricks! My journey started with the emotional side. I found myself crying on the
way to work every day for no apparent reason. It was only a couple of months
down the line when the hot flushes started, that I joined the dots. If nothing else,
it made me realise that I knew very little about it other than my mum and her
hot flushes and night sweats. I certainly hadn’t appreciated how many symptoms
there were to navigate or that there was even an emotional side!
My saving grace was that I went through it with my bestie – we laughed, we cried,
we shared but, more importantly, we supported each other. Everyone needs that
peer support whether it is at home, through friendships or in the workplace. It
can be the difference between a good menopause and a bad one!
For any organisation/individual – EDUCATION IS KEY.
Organisations need to understand the 4 key areas as to why being ‘menopause
friendly’ is important, how it can save their organisations money and future
proof their business.
Individuals need to understand what’s happening in menopause so that they
can:
make informed choices and help themselves
support their work colleagues
support their family members/friends
For those with any doubts as to the importance of education, I would like to
share this story:
A lady visiting her 92 year old mother, had an unexpected conversation with her
Mum’s 94 year old partner, Ron. Ron is a man of few words who has lived and
worked on a farm all his life. You could say he holds traditional, conservative
attitudes typical of a man of his age and background. He asked the lady where
she was off to work next. Tasmania she said. Ron: Is that for the menopause
thing you do? Lady: Yes
Ron continues to ask questions in black: the lady answers in red
Is that to talk to the bosses who are blokes, so they can understand it better?
(Goal in one!) Yes and to the women too because we don’t know enough either.
How long does menopause take? Could be 2 years, could be 10. Ron looks
taken aback. Its kind of like adolescence in reverse, it can take a while.
What about in other cultures? Is it the same for them? All females go through
menopause, but there can be some differences in symptoms between cultures
and races.
I wonder why women go through menopause? So we can stop breeding and
start leading!
Do they have anything for the ones who have really bad symptoms? Yes HRT
can be effective but many doctors aren’t educated about the latest, safer types,
so can be reluctant to prescribe it.
Is it very expensive? It can be if you choose to go private – @ £200! Ron
grimaces – oogh, that is expensive. However, there are more affordable routes
via the NHS.
So do they have some kind of leave, like they have maternity leave? (A
controversial idea to us, but the idea arose naturally for Ron). Generally not,
but watch this space.
Leave would help though surely? Yes, leave could be very helpful for the small
% that have severe symptoms to help them keep their jobs.
Yes, especially cos as you get older they might want to get rid of you! (Bingo!).
Well we didn’t talk about this 50 years ago. We weren’t talking about it 5 years
ago!
In 10 minutes Ron covered nearly all the key issues being raised with regards to
menopause: workplace awareness, retaining older females, the silence, leave,
cultural differences, the cost and availability of HRT etc. No briefing papers
needed there! Just the clear seeing of fresh eyes, an uncomplicated mind and a
lifetime of caring for animals through various stages of the lifecycle. Ron knows
the female body is different and has different needs at different stages of life. IT
REALLY IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT!
Guys – if Ron (born 1930) can talk about it, so can you!
Everyone – Don’t assume men won’t be interested
I delivered a session recently to @ 45 construction workers. Of course there was
the odd smutty comment or what we would have referred to in our youth as
‘banter’, I wouldn’t have expected anything less. However, the majority embraced
the information given, thanked me for highlighting the problems that can be
faced and said they would be more understanding, supportive and kinder in
future.
For all those organisations out there still considering whether to prioritise
menopause, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are 4 things to think about:
Name it – acknowledge menopause exists and normalise conversations.
Reframe it – see it as a positive. Its a powerful process in a women’s life that, if
supported, will benefit everyone.
Equip your people – give them good quality information as to how they can
help themselves.
Equip your managers with the skills to have health related, sensitive
conversations with those women who do want to talk about menopause.
Adjust some of the work factors that can impact on an individuals ability to
take care of themselves and their work as they work their way through
menopause. These can be simple, inexpensive and often temporary
adjustments.
For all those individuals out there likely to go through it, I leave you with this:
Remember – be bold and be brill. You really can achieve
anything you want to at any age. Ray Kroc was 52 before he
opened the first McDonalds franchise restaurant!