What is the Menopause?

October is the World Health Organisation and the International Menopause Society’s Menopause Awareness Month

The month aims to change the stigma surrounding menopause, encourage people to talk openly/ about menopause and educate people on the topic

At Right at Home Sefton the majority  of our workforce will experience the effects of the menopause  at some time in their lives

To create an open environment where our team members feel comfortable sharing the challenges and talking about their experiences, we have launched our #MenopauseMakesADifference campaign to shed light on the effects of menopause and offer a powerful  support system in the workplace

 

Understanding menopause

 

• Medically, menopause is the day someone hasn’t had a period for 12 months in a row because their ovaries have stopped making eggs
• Most people use the term “menopause” to refer to the time when periods become irregular and/or stop
• The term perimenopause is used to describe the time in the lead-up to menopause when periods become irregular and sometimes heavier
• Levels of the hormone oestrogen decline, resulting in changes in the body, often causing a range of symptoms for the person
• Menopause can affect anyone who experiences periods, including trans men and people who are non-binary: this makes up around 51% of the population
• It typically happens between the ages of 45-55 but can happen much earlier or even later for some
• Symptoms can last anywhere from three months up to 10 years

 

What symptoms are associated with menopause?

 

There are a wide range of symptoms someone experiencing menopause may encounter

• Everyone’s journey will be unique, from duration, type of symptoms, severity of symptoms and age at onset. Some may experience multiple symptoms while others only experience a few
• Below are some of the most widely experienced If you are concerned about any changes you are experiencing, you should book an appointment to speak to your GP.

 

• Mood changes/anxiety
  • Menopause may cause a person to have mood swings or increased anxiety levels
• Heart palpitations
  • Oestrogen protects the arteries of the heart, as hormone levels change it can cause the heart to beat faster than usual
  • This can sometimes happen during hot flushes
  • They are generally nothing to worry about but can be frustrating
• Hot flushes
  • Changes in hormone levels can cause the body’s temperature to fluctuate dramatically and suddenly increase to uncomfortable levels
  • Hot flushes can happen at any time of the day and there is not always an obvious cause
• Poor memory/brain fog
  • Sometimes people going through menopause can become more forgetful or have “silly moments”
  • People who have experienced menopause often describe moments where their brain feels like cotton wool

 

To name but a few.

 

Jenny Jones, Head of Systems, Right at Home UK says: “Menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. I experienced fatigue, anxiety and in the early days my memory was shocking as well. Unfortunately, a lot of the time, you can’t avoid the symptoms, but we’re lucky to be living in a time when there is so much more help available - so make sure to make use of the support out there and find the best solution for you.”

 

 

Don’t be afraid to speak up about menopause 

 

● Menopause can be emotionally and physically challenging

There is a stigma around it which makes people think they should be ashamed of going through it, yet menopause is a natural part of life that should be the furthest thing from an uncomfortable topic of conversation

● Part of the problem is people could feel uncomfortable or embarrassed talking about it, but it is a natural part of aging for women, transgender and non-binary people.

● The more we talk about it, the more the stigma will be reduced, we need to be open with one another, by sharing our experiences will undoubtedly help others.

● It’s important for everyone to talk about it not just people who experience it first-hand, your family, friends and colleagues will appreciate the support you can give as you educate yourself around the topic.

 

  For people experiencing menopause in Sefton?

 

• There are lots of things that can support you during menopause
• In Sefton there are a variety of experts and activities designed to get you talking about menopause and help you find people experiencing similar things
• Local menopause experts such as Dr Paula Briggs http://www.drpaulabriggs.co.uk/contact.aspx
• Menopause cafes - https://www.menopausecafe.net/contact-us/
• Menopause support groups - https://healthwatchsefton.co.uk/news/menopause-lounge-drop-in/

 

As a sector widely made up of women, social care can offer you a supportive working environment during menopause. Why not browse our flexible opportunities today?

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