The symptoms of menopause are the fight of many women daily. If we know that menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, this means that most women start their menopause while they are still working. And yet, menopause is not discussed in business. She constitutes a heavy taboo in the professional environment, which we owe to societal mores. According to a survey previously highlighted by Current wife44% of women consider menopause taboo and 60% of them avoid talking about it with their colleagues while certain symptoms can impact their professional life.
As a reminder, menopause is a hormonal upheaval that can cause multiple symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep and mood disorders, brain fog and urinary problems, to name just a few. Specific to each woman, these disconcerting disorders can not only disrupt work tasks to accomplish, but also, to be trying to face for some. No one wants to sweat profusely during a meeting or have a mood swing in front of a client.
Menopausal Symptoms: Seeking Support Within the Work Environment
In January 2023, a bill relating to menopause leave was placed on the table in Englandbefore finally being rejected by the British government, deemed “counter productive” And “discriminatory” towards men. A few months later, in June, the Departmental Council of Gironde also wanted to experiment with special menstruation, perimenopause and menopause leave. Voted unanimously by the members, this first in France should concern around two-thirds of the department’s 7,000 agents. Until a possible deployment on French territory, it is appropriate to find your own solutions to deal with disappointments. While menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be one of them, there are also natural alternativesas explained by Dr Tasneem Bhatia, an American doctor, in the columns of Forbes.
Tasneem Bhatia urges women to shed the shame and guilt often associated with menopause, “discussing symptoms openly“that they can feel. Furthermore, Tasneem Bhatia also encourages women to “research[r] support and exploring[er] tailor-made solutions“.”Women leaders can stay focused and productive, and advance their careers with confidence“, she emphasizes.
Discuss your symptoms related to menopause with your doctor or gynecologist
Following her momentum, the health professional adds that, according to her, creating harmony between professional life and the changes linked to menopause requires “understand and appropriate” his health. In an interview given to Current wifeDr Nadia Berkane, obstetrician-gynecologist, explained that it is appropriate to “enjoy your annual visit to your gynecologist to report your symptoms“. On the other hand, if these symptoms are difficult to endure on a daily basis, she invites you to make an appointment from the third month without periods.
“Today, gynecologists favor treatments based on natural or semi-natural hormonesparticularly to regulate hot flashes“, she explains. On the other hand, Nadia Berkane warns against self-medication and “drugs” soy-based over-the-counter in pharmacies, because they can be dangerous to your health.
Sources:
- Menopause – World Health Organization (WHO)
- Navigating Menopause: How Hormonal Shifts Shake Up Women’s Careers – Forbes
- In the United Kingdom, no special regime for menopausal employees – Release
- Gironde, first department to experiment with menstrual and menopause leave – Le Figaro