Menopause – What’s true and what’s not?
There are lots of assumptions about the symptoms and the impact of menopause.
Menopause myths around symptoms aren’t helpful.
If anything, believing them could get you into hot water in the workplace.
In this blog, we shine a light on 5 of the most common myths so if you want to know the truth about menopause related symptoms and what age menopause happens this is for you.
Myth 1 – Symptoms are just physical
There are many psychological symptoms such as low mood, irritability, anxiety and panic attacks, poor concentration and memory and low energy.
You can find out more about psychological menopause related symptoms
Menopause: Can it increase anxiety, worry, panic attacks or depression?
Menopause in the workplace: What is brain fog and why you need to know about it
Myth 2 – Young women cannot be menopausal
Menopause happens to 1% of women under the age of 40.
Myth 3 – Most women do not need any help or support with their symptoms
Around 8 in 10 women in the UK experience symptoms.
Of those 45% find their symptoms difficult to deal with.
And sadly many feel they can’t to their manager about how menopause related symptoms are affecting them at work.
Why people don’t want to talk about menopause symptoms with their boss
Myth 4 – Menopause doesn’t last very long
Symptoms of the peri-menopause and menopause can last for many years; for some symptoms last 10 years.
The average is 4 years.
Menopause itself is only one day.
Myth 5 – All women get terrible symptoms during the menopause
Most women have minor symptoms and some do not have any symptoms apart from their periods stopping.
Source Royal College of Nursing
Want to know more about menopause awareness training for your workplace?
Here’s some further reading.