LET'S TALK MENOPAUSE

Trudi Roscouet talks about the benefits of corporates taking the time to understand menopause

Commonly called 'the change', menopause can have a massive effect on our lives, just like children leaving, ailing relatives needing care, relationships ending or the added responsibility of a promotion at work.

The average age of menopause is 51 years old. This doesn't mean it can't happen sooner; in fact, any age from 45 is likely. If you become perimenopausal before 45, you are known to be in early menopause. The most significant influencing factor is the age of your mum or sisters when they first believed they had entered the perimenopause.

Symptoms can be quite intermittent at first – maybe a hot flash or an occasional night sweat. Periods may start to become irregular or heavier (or lighter). Sleepless nights may occur. Anxiety levels start to increase: a change in mood. However, the most worrying symptom for most women is memory loss – the brain fog. Forgetting simple things. They then feel that this could be the early onset of dementia – this is very frightening, particularly if dementia runs in your family. It was great to see Davina McCall discussing this on television recently on Channel 5s "Sex Mind and the Menopause."

There are 34 symptoms in all - combining physical and psychological issues. Women will not get all of these symptoms, but there is a lack of understanding in this area. Education is the key, and we need women to understand these symptoms so they can all have a right to live their best life. The issue is if we as women don't know what is going on with our bodies, how the heck do we expect men to understand?

Of course, we must open the conversation in the workplace and at home. Women are desperate for corporates to open their doors. Allowing an introductory menopause session can then turn into something bigger. Women support women. Menopause champions may come forward. Consideration needs to be given to menopause policy to protect employees. Training needs fallouts of covid but doesn't help all workers – especially front-line staff such as nurses and teachers.

The primary focus for corporates is to make their workplace inclusive. Ensure everyone has the option to understand the symptoms of the perimenopause and to be able to have open discussions. It still amazes me how many women want to come forward with their stories –and once that door has been opened, they feel like a huge relief has been lifted.

People like Davina McCall, Carolyn Harris MP and Dr Louise Newson have made it their mission to bring everything to the public eye. Carolyn is the co-chairman of the Menopause Taskforce, which is trying to engage the government to legislate and reduce HRT charges throughout the UK. It was a pleasure to meet her and