Flourish - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 27
For many, the signs: brain fog, fatigue,
mood swings, hot flashes, or changes in
sleep patterns, are dismissed as stress,
aging, or just the result of busy lives. I, too,
had no idea I was post-menopausal until a
DEXA scan for a gym injury revealed it.
And while that’s a whole other story (one
that involves the power of our pelvic floor perhaps for another article!), the key
takeaway is this: menopause is real, it’s
happening to millions of women in the
workplace, and we need to talk about it.
Breaking the Silence on
Menopause at Work
Menopause is not just a personal journey;
it’s a workplace issue. It affects
performance, confidence, and overall
wellbeing. Yet, in many professional
environments, it remains a taboo topic,
something whispered about in corridors
rather than openly discussed in meetings
or HR policies.
Women experiencing menopause-related
symptoms often feel stuck in their careers.
They may hesitate in applying for
promotions, struggle with concentration, or
feel isolated in male-dominated industries.
Some even consider leaving the workforce
altogether, not realising that their
challenges are not a personal failing but a
biological transition. So, how can we
change this?
Embrace the Changes, Don’t
Challenge Them
One of the most empowering shifts a
woman can make is to embrace
menopause rather than resist it. Our bodies
are evolving, and that’s not something to
fight; it’s something to understand and
work with. Through my own personal
journey, I found immense value in yoga,
meditation, and mindfulness. I often
researched what foods and lifestyle
changes supported my body best. What
worked?
What didn’t? I leaned into self-care in ways
I hadn’t before.
But beyond personal strategies, we need
systemic change. We need to normalise the
conversation around menopause in
professional spaces so that women don’t
feel they have to navigate this transition
alone.
Talking About Menopause At Home and Work
In my own life, I talk about menopause
openly, not just with other women, but
with my husband, my colleagues, and my
clients. My beautiful husband listens to it
all, and I share for the sake of other women
in my world who may not have that same
support. If we don’t talk about it, how will
things ever change?
Menopause should not be a barrier to
professional growth. In career
conversations, it should be okay to bring
up. Employers need to recognise that this
is not just a
