World Menopause Day – let’s talk about the menopause
18 October 2022
On World Menopause Day (18 October), the University’s Women@Reading Network is seeking to break down the taboo around talking about the menopause and make colleagues aware of available support.
Research led by Henley Business School highlights the importance of workplace support for women experiencing the debilitating symptoms of the menopause, to avoid them negatively impacting their careers.
As part of its efforts to raise awareness of the menopause and support colleagues, the Women@Reading Network has announced the following new events and initiatives:
- Women’s Health Café, sponsored by Women@Reading
Launching in December 2022, this will initially be run on Whiteknights Campus on a monthly basis with the aim of hosting cafes at other locations and online in due course. It will be open to all who have an interest in a more open discussion about the menopause and other women’s health issues, whether it is you experiencing the menopause or you are supporting a partner or work colleague. You are not on your own. More details to follow. - Development of Wellbeing pages relating to Menopause education and support
The Network is working in consultation with Occupational Health and HR on developing new resources for the Wellbeing webpages, which should be available in spring 2023. - International Women’s Day guest speaker event
An external speaker will be invited to give a talk on the menopause for the March 2023 celebrations. More details to follow.
What is the menopause?The menopause is a natural process experienced by most women towards the end of their reproductive life, typically occurring between the ages of 44- 55 and is technically defined as when a woman has not had a period for more than 12 months. Menopause can also affect much younger women, as a consequence of treatment for other health conditions such as cancer (medically-induced menopause). Every woman’s experience of the menopause is different. With more than 30 potential symptoms, some of the most commonly experienced include hot flushes and night sweats, sleeping problems, low energy, low mood and anxiety, low libido and sex drive and impaired memory and concentration, often referred to as “brain fog”. |
World Menopause Day is timely this year as the Government’s response to the Women and Equalities Select Committee recommendations are awaited, following its recent enquiry into the impact of menopause in the workplace (commenced in July 2020).
The enquiry summary report highlights that women of menopausal age are the fastest growing group in the workforce, yet often receive little support with menopause symptoms and, as a result, some cut back their hours or responsibilities or leave work altogether.
Rachel Thorns, co-chair of the Women@Reading Network, said: “It is acknowledged that many women are not prepared for the menopause and find it difficult to cope with work alongside the symptoms they are experiencing, some of which can be challenging to manage.
“This makes it incredibly important that conversations about the menopause are normalised and that workplaces recognise and support those experiencing it. I am pleased the Network has been able to add to the support available to colleagues at Reading.”
Support available
Useful resources on the menopause and women’s health topics can be found on the My Wellbeing webpage. The British Menopause Society also has a series of short online videos, including the one above, covering different aspects.
Colleagues who would like to find out more about what the Women@Reading Network is doing and/or want to actively support its work can join the Network’s Microsoft Teams Channel.