Understanding menopause is a vital part of the journey of the female reproduction system. 50% of all people on Earth will go through the menopause, 100% of those assigned female at birth will go through the menopause.
The average age for onset of menopause is 51. The majority of women stop having periods somewhere between ages 45 to 55. The beginning stages of declining ovary function can start years before that in some women. Others will continue to have menstrual periods into their late 50s.
When you reflect on the women in your life, whether they are mothers, aunts, directors, colleagues, or individuals with a wealth of life experience, knowledge, and influence, it becomes evident the effect of menopause potentially, significantly impacting a woman’s daily life, confidence, and abilities.
8 in 10 menopausal women say their workplace has no basic support in place for them – no support networks (79%), no absence policies (81%) and no information sharing with staff (79%).
41% saying they have seen menopause or menopause symptoms treated as a joke by people at work
1 in 4 will not take a promotion at work, or will consider a demotion due to their menopause symptoms.
1 in 10 will leave work all together.
Please feel free to check out more statistics and information from The Fawcett Society study.
Understanding Menopause: “The Menopause at Work” talk at UniLit
On Wednesday 27th September we went to a talk on the menopause hosted by Mella Recruitment and the guest speaker was Sarah Wilsher. We enjoyed some delicious fresh croissants and a coffee and got really into a discussion about understanding menopause at work.
The talk was excellent in helping us gain knowledge of how much menopause can affect a business.
We covered some of the information in Sarah’s Lunch & Learn programme.
- What menopause is, why it happens and when
- Signs and symptoms
- How the menopause can impact employees
- Policies and Reasonable Adjustments
- Managing menopause – Treatments and Lifestyle
- Guidance on how to talk confidently about menopause with a Health Care practitioner or Line Manager
- Where to find further information and support
Sarah also offers professional and personal guidance for both males & females as the menopause will affect both in some shape or form.
Sarah Wilsher – Professional Bio
Sarah is a licensed Transformational Coach, Trainer, and Speaker who specialises in Midlife and Menopause. In her role as a coach, she offers guidance and support to individuals as they navigate the transitions of midlife. Her focus is on helping them embrace the changes and challenges with confidence, enabling them to thrive during this transformative stage. Sarah provides both 1-2-1 coaching and group coaching sessions.
In addition to her coaching work, Sarah also serves as a Trainer and Speaker. She delivers menopause awareness programs that are specifically tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These programs encompass Lunch and Learn sessions, Management and Menopause Champion Training, and Policy Writing Workshops.
Sarah’s primary goal is to raise awareness about the symptoms of menopause and the profound impact they can have on individuals undergoing hormonal changes. She places a strong emphasis on the importance of understanding how menopause affects not only the individuals experiencing it but also their colleagues, employees, family members, and friends. Her mission is to spread knowledge and foster understanding, creating an environment where menopause and menstrual health can be openly discussed without fear or stigma.
Sarah’s mission is deeply rooted in her passion to improve awareness about menopause and to provide the support and guidance that she wished she had during her early perimenopause years, which were challenging at times. She firmly believes in promoting open conversations and providing education to ensure that individuals, including women, trans individuals, and non-binary people navigating their reproductive and menopausal years, feel valued, empowered, and unstoppable in both their professional and personal lives.