Managing the menopause and supporting others
The menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 but for some women it can be earlier or later. Menopause and perimenopause (the phase leading up to the menopause) can cause symptoms including anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods.
Up to a third of women will experience severe menopausal symptoms that can impact on their quality of life, particularly at work. Below you will find a range of resources for women, employers and healthcare professionals.
So many aspects of the menopause are still misunderstood, and many more are simply not talked about. The result is a confusing, embarrassing, isolating atmosphere for women entering menopause. Making menopause an inclusive subject that no one is afraid or embarrassed to talk about helps make an organisation a great place to work, giving employees the confidence to ask for help and support if they need it.
The three-minute video below from the Kent and Medway World Menopause Day event, held in October 2022, reinforces the importance of raising awareness about the menopause, how it impacts individuals, workplaces and colleagues and support options available.
Below you will find a range of resources for women, employers and healthcare professionals.
National support
For women seeking help or information
Women’s Health Concern is the patient arm of the British Menopause Society. WHC provides a confidential, independent service to advise, inform and reassure women about their gynaecological, sexual and post reproductive health.
The Henpicked Menopause hub covers almost every question about the menopause you can imagine in accessible formats, including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts and fact sheets.
Menopause matters provides up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options.
Daisy network is a charity for women with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) or Premature Menopause. The charity provides a support network of people to talk to and information on treatments and research within the fields of HRT and assisted conception.
Queermenopause raises awareness of LGBTQIA+ experiences of menopause and promotes inclusive resources.
For employers
Women’s Health Concern Menopause in the workplace provides resources to help employers raise awareness and offer support to menopausal employees.
Henpicked’s Menopause in the Workplace provides training and resources for workplaces.
Royal College of Nursing provides guidance and toolkits, including guidance for working with colleagues going through the menopause, symptoms, workplace policies, and recommendations for changes to both work patterns and the work environment.
NHS Employers’ Menopause and the workplace provides information on how menopause can affect people at work, and practical guidance for employers on how to improve workplace environments for them.
NHS England provides guidance on Supporting colleagues affected by the menopause. This covers advice for organisations as a whole and for line managers.
Wellbeing of Women provides information on the menopause workplace pledge, a campaign that is drumming up support from employers across all sectors up and down the country, to demonstrate their commitment to supporting staff experiencing the menopause.
For healthcare professionals
The British Menopause Society educates, informs and guides healthcare professionals, working in both primary and secondary care, on menopause and all aspects of post reproductive health.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing provides resources and guidance for nurses and midwives.
Local support
Training and events on menopause are offered by Kent and Medway Integrated Care System for health and social care staff working across Kent and Medway. You can view the keynote presentation from the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System World Menopause Day conference 2022 here. This talk covers the common symptoms of brain fog and anxiety, and also some straight talking about issues which are considered taboo.
NHS psychological therapies service allows you to search for your nearest service. Psychological therapies, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can help with symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. You can get NHS psychological therapies without seeing a GP first.
There are courses for staff working in healthcare related roles in Medway. Search Menopause Awareness and Are you Menopause ready to find training sessions.
In Maidstone, there is a Menopause support group that takes place on the last Tuesday of the month.
For employers
The Kent and Medway Healthy Workplaces Programme offers a free workplace wellbeing award scheme available to organisations operating in Kent or Medway, regardless of size and sector. They offer a range of resources, support, and advice-including menopause awareness training.