The Support that Women Need but Don't Ask For
I want to open a can of worms and talk about a taboo subject that affects all of us directly or indirectly.
It directly affects 51 percent of the population and everyone else indirectly.
Put simply, it affects all women (at some point) and everyone who has a woman - be it a mother, wife or partner, daughter, aunt, niece, friend, colleague, etc - in their lives. Research suggests around 25% of women considered leaving their jobs because of it and that those who can afford to resign often do. But no one is talking about it.
Perimenopause.
While most of us have heard of Menopause, the majority of people simply understand that this is when a female stops menstruating. We may have heard something about hot flashes and weight gain, and that it happens to older women in their 50s, and that sometimes they can get a bit irritable. But Menopause is simply a date... the anniversary of a woman's last period.
Most people have no idea about the biological transition that occurs in women as they approach this date. Perimenopause is the transition that averages eight years but can last up to 12.
Most people believe that menopause is an old woman's problem, but perimenopause can start as early as mid-30s, although it is more common in the early to mid-40s (but it can be earlier if the woman has had a hysterectomy).
The changes in hormone levels that a woman starts to experience during this transition leads to a multitude of symptoms which (other than changes to her period and hot flashes) can include things like insomnia, depression or anxiety, brain fog or even physical symptoms like joint pain, gut problems, restless legs or frozen shoulder. However most of us, including most doctors, are not educated to understand Perimenopause and how those hormone fluctuations really affect women's bodies in a wholistic sense.
When I reflect back to my own experience when my symptoms started, I was about 42. My younger brother had just passed away, I was supporting my father with his Alzheimer's, my son was struggling at school and I was in a stressful role at work. My confidence was at an all-time low and I was googling 'mid-life crisis for women'. I thought it was just stress. No one even mentioned perimenopause to me.
Fast forward 4 years and I'd added brain fog, anxiety, and insomnia, and also weight gain, joint pain and some irregularity in my menstrual flow ... but I still thought it was stress. An older female friend suggested menopause, but I laughed and said I was too young for that....
Perimenopause is a natural and normal part of a woman's life, yet it's often treated as a taboo topic in many workplaces as well as in normal conversation. This is a time of major transition and change, and it can be challenging for women to manage perimenopause symptoms while also keeping up work productivity, let alone maintain their career.
By normalizing perimenopause, we can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture that values women at all stages of their lives and careers.
One of the most important ways to normalize perimenopause and menopause in the workplace is through education and awareness. There needs to be more menopause resources for employers. In the same way many workplaces now have policies and offer diversity and inclusion training, Workplace menopause policies would go a long way in supporting and keeping women with menopause symptoms in employment.
With the right resources, employers can provide training sessions for leaders and colleagues about perimenopause and its impact on women's health and well-being. This can help break down the stigma surrounding perimenopause and encourage open communication and understanding.
We need workplace cultures that value and support women in all stages of their careers. This may include promoting gender equality and diversity, providing resources and support for women's health, and recognizing the contributions of women in the workplace.
Workplaces can offer support for women experiencing perimenopause to help normalize the transition. This may include offering flexible work arrangements, providing a comfortable work environment, and offering access to resources such as counselling or coaching services.
Creating online or in-person support groups or networks within the workplace can also be helpful in normalizing perimenopause in the workplace. This can provide a safe space for women to share their experiences, receive support, and connect with others who are going through a similar transition.
Menopause is a transition that directly affects every woman and the majority of the population will know a woman who is going through, or will go through this transition. The mental health impact felt by women needing perimenopause support means that it's so important to promote open communication and encourage women to speak up about their needs and concerns. By creating a culture of openness and support, women can feel more comfortable discussing perimenopause and seeking the resources and support they need to manage their symptoms.
Normalizing perimenopause in the workplace is crucial for keeping women in the workplace longer. We need to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture that values and supports women at all stages of their lives and careers.
By providing education and awareness, creating a supportive workplace culture, offering resources and support, creating support groups, and promoting open communication, we can create a workplace that recognizes and respects the experiences of women going through perimenopause.