World Menopause Day

13 million women are currently peri- or post-menopausal in the UK. That’s approximately one-third of the entire female population.

“Menopausal women are the fastest growing workforce demographic” according to Professor Jo Brewis, co-author Government Report on Menopause. And shockingly, one in ten women quit their job because of it.

Despite all this, menopause is still something of a taboo, particularly in the workplace.

So, we were delighted to have the opportunity to work on a film about menopause in the workplace with Thriving’s Mark Mulligan in conversation with Kate Muir, author of the book ‘Everything You Need to Know About the Menopause (but were too afraid to ask)’ and producer of Davina McCall’s menopause documentaries.

In the film, Mark and Kate discuss the impact that menopause can have on women’s work life, in particular how the associated brain fog, anxiety and disturbed sleep patterns can knock their confidence.

Kate also talks about perimenopause – the time leading up to menopause - which she refers to as ‘menopause’s evil little sister’ which can result in women in their 40s feeling nervous or depressed without knowing why.

For too long, women have suffered in silence, missing out on the information, support and treatment that would otherwise be available to them.

Talking about menopause – particularly with other women who are sharing the same experience can be hugely beneficial. In the film, Kate talks about how these conversations can be brought into the workplace to create an open supportive environment. She also talks about the miraculous benefits of HRT and how recent advances have made them safer and more effective.

It was a privilege to meet Kate and to hear about the wonderful work she does for women. And it was a real pleasure to work on the film which was launched today on the Thriving website.

Return to What's New