What is the menopause?

It’s a natural stage of life when a woman’s oestrogen levels decline and she stops having periods. As menopausal symptoms are typically experienced for several years, it is best described as a ‘transition’ rather than a one-off event. The menopause typically happens between age 45 and 55, but for some women can be later. The ‘perimenopause’ is the phase leading up to the menopause, when a woman’s hormone balance starts to change. During this time a woman may start to suffer with menopause symptoms but is still having periods. Women are said to have reached the menopause when they haven’t had a period for a year. The symptoms last on average for
four years, but for some can last much longer.

The symptoms for menopausal women may be quite uncomfortable due to physical and emotional symptoms. Useful information on the menopause can be found on the NHS site here. On this website you can also find some videos where women have shared their menopause stories.

Line manager guidance

Line managers can also review this useful document Line manager guide to menopause. This will help you to understand more about the menopause, your role as a manager, how to have open conversations on the subject, risk assessments and much more.

My Perimenopause Story, by Lisa Salloway

Lisa Salloway, HR Coordinator in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, shared her perimenopause story with us. Read about it here.

Further information

Watch the CBC Wellness Campaign video ‘Menopause – everything you ever wanted to know’: https://youtu.be/qtCViray5GA

Additional information including guidance for individuals, managers and sources of support can be found here.

The CBC Menopause Café team have created a Facebook group for members, colleagues, friends and family to join, to share their experiences with menopause, offer advise and support. It is a private group and you can request access here.