The Journey of a Hormonal Mumpreneur.
Calling all Menopause Champions!
Lorna Ive
Have you heard?
Menopause is the word at the moment?
Everyone is talking about the recent TV menopause discussion held on Loose Women. The Davina documentary or have you spotted the many newspaper articles and current campaigns?
It’s not every day you see a London red bus with a menopause billboard with the word “menopause” splashed across the side of the bus.
It most certainly caught my eye! But I am biased as I want to shout from the rooftop that menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life and post menopause is just the beginning, thrive in midlife.
How do you feel about this coverage?
Have you benefited from the awareness?
Have you found it beneficial? What have you discovered about yourself through the transition of perimenopause and menopause?
October is Menopause Awareness Month with many conversations now taking place, which is such an amazing achievement to remove the stigma and taboo surrounding this stage of a woman’s life.
World Menopause Day is held on the 18th of October 2021. You will find a plethora of events virtually or face to face that has been organised for the month of October #MenopauseAwarenessMonth and in particular #WorldMenopauseDay2021 to promote education, support for improving health, wellbeing and starting conversations.
The discussions are now moving in the right direction and this is helping to raise much needed awareness, education which will help all generations of women and men to understand Menopause.
This is such a movement for women and a #MenopauseRevolution has started!
A second bill is going to be held at Parliament. Held by the Menowarrior MP, Carolyn Harries on the 29th of October 2021 for women to receive free HRT treatment in the UK and to support women in the workplace. Diane Danzebrink’s campaign #MakeMenopauseMatter is also building much more momentum and is making the much needed change happen!
Social media has been a great resource providing support and information about menopause for women. A wealth of campaigners and advocates of menopause, including myself have all worked hard towards ensuring that women are empowered and to help future generations to have the knowledge about menopause.
Many women face the choice to leave their careers due to menopause symptoms, if unsupported within the workplace. Women need support through this stage of life.
Employers can offer employees a menopause policy to ensure staff are comfortable, supported and valued whilst working.
It is so incredibly important for women’s self esteem, self independence and social mobility to be able to continue to work into midlife. As women we will be working to a much older age than our parents’ retirement age, so menopause needs to be addressed within the work setting.
If you have recently returned to the office workplace and found working from home has helped your menopause symptoms? You could ask your employer if you may work flexible hours until symptoms have eased and return once you feel more comfortable.
Why not be a menopause champion for your work setting and lead the way forward for your colleagues.
Approach the HR Department and enquire if it would be possible to set up a menopause wellbeing meeting.
This could take place during a lunch break or after work at an agreed time. Start with small groups so people feel safe and comfortable. If you work in a larger organisation perhaps a virtual meeting and people working from home could be an option for people to attend.
Ensuring that everyone is able to attend the meetings will provide an inclusive and supportive workplace. Helping women and all employees including trans and non binary community to feel valued and supported during this stage of life.
Hormonal changes can affect us all.
You may not think that the men in our lives are not affected by the changes caused by menopause. Not so, for a man it could be a wife, partner, a female boss, mother or aunt. Relationships can be affected by the change that menopause brings, at home and at work.
Trans or Non Binary persons can experience the effects of menopause due to the treatment of hormones for gender change.
When perimenopause or for some like myself an early menopause arrives it completely derails you and can send life into a frenzy!
Trust me, I’ve been there and I can sympathise.
It is important to talk with your partner and family, talk to your friends too. You may find that your friends have been wanting to discuss symptoms and feelings with you too, but felt unsure whether to talk.
The hormonal highway during menopause can create no day the same. Ranging from low libido, low confidence and fatigue all combined together, do not make you feel your best.
Did you know there are 34 Symptoms?
Lorna’s helpful guide for everyone to understand the symptoms experienced by women during the stages of menopause.
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Osteoporosis
- Insomnia
- Brittle nails
- Vaginal atrophy – dryness
- Weight gain
- Dry hair
- Mood changes
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Low libido
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Palpitations
- Bloating
- Dry skin
- Aching joints
- Bladder issues
- Electric shocks
- Headaches
- Depression
- Tingling sensation
- Irregular periods
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Allergies
- Hair Loss
- Brain fog
- Body odour
- Nausea
- Digestive issues
- Muscle tension
- Bleeding gums
Take some time to talk to your partner or colleagues and tell them what is happening to you and how you are feeling. Talking helps and during this time you just need to listen to your body and be kind to yourself.
Seek support from your GP or from a Menopause Specialist, you can be referred to a Menopause Clinic in your local area.
Remember you’re all Menopause Champions! You’ve got this.
**I am not medically trained, this is my own experience and research. If you have any concerns or genuine issues please seek professional medical advice **
IP/Lorna Ive/ 13/10/21