Managing the Menopause

Managing the Menopause

We are increasingly having more conversations with staff who are struggling with the menopause at work.  Of our workforce, 75% of NUH staff are female, of which 24% are between 45 and 55 years old (as of July 2019); therefore, large numbers will be going through the menopause at any one time.

We want to support staff to feel as though they can manage their symptoms well at work and foster an environment in which staff can talk openly to their colleagues and manager about the menopause.

We offer many support sessions, workshops, seminars, events, and advocacy support all year round.

NUH is a Menopause Friendly Employer!

 

  

 

We are delighted to announce that NUH has been awarded the Menopause Friendly Employer Accreditation. This is a huge achievement, and we are thrilled to be recognised for something we feel so passionate about. We are the first NHS Trust in the country to be awarded this, and we could not have done this without the support of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, who funded the processes so we could go ahead with the accreditation.

Over the years, we have spoken to many of you who have struggled with menopause at work and know the challenges you have faced. In 2019, we set up a Menopause Working Group, and from that, we have:

• Written a comprehensive menopause policy
• Guidance documents for managers and employees
• Menopause support sessions
• Menopause Awareness Sessions for Managers and Colleagues
• Lightweight uniform options
• Menopause advocates
• Raised awareness of issues around menopause

“We’ve thoroughly assessed all aspects of the excellent work Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has done. Their menopause programme clearly demonstrates that providing colleagues with the right awareness, education, and support is important to them. They’ve created a culture enabling people to talk about menopause openly, launched a comprehensive policy, regularly provided expert training, and engaged their colleagues, including creating a strong network of menopause advocates. We're delighted to recognise them as the UK's first accredited Menopause Friendly NHS Trust.” 

— Evelyn Dickey, Menopause Friendly’s Independent Panel member (and non-executive director of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority).

Menopause Support

To help you understand menopause, the Menopause Support non-profit company has created a Menopause Support Booklet, reviewed by clinicians, including a symptom checker tool. Alternatively, you can request a free copy of the booklet by emailing hello@menopausesupport.co.uk.

Mindfulness for the Menopause Session

This one hour long session will guide you through how to be more mindful during your menopause and how to use mindfulness to cope with your symptoms. Access the video here. 

CBT for Menopause

Menopause Workshops

Browse through upcoming sessions and book your place.

Everything You Need to Know About Menopause

Led by a specialist consultant in menopause, these workshops dive a little deeper into what menopause is and focus on how you can manage symptoms via diet and lifestyle, as well as busting some myths around HRT. They are always super popular, so booking is essential. Please email us if you would like to be added to the waiting list.

Menopause Support Session

This menopause support session is for all women, including those who menstruate and those who will go through menopause. Whether you are going through it yourself or you are simply curious to listen to the experiences of others, All we ask is that strict confidentiality be kept with respect and support upheld by all. We are here to describe and not prescribe; no advice, information, medical advice, or product promotion will take place at this session.

Menopause and Pelvic Health

Our staff physiotherapist delivers this special seminar exploring pelvic health factors that can be helpful in managing your menopause, including those that may impact symptoms and prevent future conditions linked to the menopause. The hour-long seminar will cover the prevention and management of urinary urgency, frequency, incontinence, bowel symptoms, and prolapse.

Mindfulness for Menopause

Recent studies have suggested that mindfulness may be a promising tool to help menopausal women struggling with irritability, anxiety, and depression. This session will guide you through how to be more mindful during your menopause and how to use mindfulness to cope with your symptoms.

Eating for the Menopause

Join our staff dietitian for a seminar exploring diet and nutrition factors that can be helpful in managing your menopause, including those that may impact symptoms and prevent future conditions linked to the menopause.

The one-hour seminar will cover phytoestrogens, bone health, heart health, caffeine, alcohol, sleep, and exercise. These are information-based group seminars.

Menopause Advocates

Throughout the trust, we now have a number of menopause advocates. These advocates might run some of the information seminars for staff groups, departments, and teams.

They are also available to have short 1-on-1 conversations with individuals who would like further sign posting, a compassionate conversation that may include experience sharing, or simply a listening ear. 

If you would like to get in touch with an advocate, then please contact us at nuhnt.staffwellbeing@nhs.net.

Menopause Guidelines

In order to create a culture where staff feel comfortable talking about the menopause and how it's affecting them at work, we have put together some guidelines that staff will hopefully find useful.

Firstly, there are Guidance for Employees; these focus on how to have a conversation with your line manager about how your menopause is affecting you at work and what support you may find useful as you are going through the menopause,

Secondly, there are Guidance for Managers; these are specifically for any line manager who is managing a member of staff going through the menopause. It explains what menopause is and how you can support your members of staff to manage their symptoms better at work, thus making them happier and more productive. 

NHS England has created a new online Menopause e-learning resource. It has some really good information in there and only takes around 30 minutes to complete.

Menopause Policy

We have a Staff Perimenopause and Menopause Policy. Menopause and peri-menopause are very personal experiences and will differ from individual to individual. Symptoms will fluctuate during the course of the menopause. Different levels of adjustments and support may be required at different times based on individual needs. Menopause is a transition in life, and it’s not something that is ‘taboo’ or off-limits as a topic of conversation. We want all our colleagues to feel comfortable and supported at work. The policy aims to:

1. Provide guidance and information for all staff on the potential impact of menopause in the workplace.
2. Outline the requirements for all staff experiencing peri-menopausal or menopausal symptoms that are affecting them in the workplace so they can continue to be successful in their roles and responsibilities.
3. Acknowledge that menopause awareness is not just for women; it is for all colleagues.

The appendix of this policy includes guidance sheets on how to prepare and have a conversation with your line manager as well as how to have a conversation with your GP.

Further Resources

British Dietetic Association -BDA food fact sheet - Food and the Menopause factsheet

Exercise_through_Menopause factsheet  

Menopause Matters: Information and support website ran by GPs

Women's Health Concern - provides a confidential, independent service to advise, reassure and educate women on the menopause

Daisy Network — provide support and information who are experiences premature menopause

Henpicked - Lifestyle website for women over 40

Queer / LGBTQIA+ Menopause (queermenopause.com) - a website for individuals to seeking information and support, and practitioners seeking to upgrade their knowledge about LGBTQIA+ experiences of Menopause.