Menopause is trending again this month… but here’s the question: is it really part of everyday conversation, or just a tick-box exercise because HR puts it on the calendar?
For some companies, it’s a quick mention and then forgotten. For others, it’s slowly becoming a natural part of workplace dialogue.
I am looking forward to my Corporate Training Day, educating 10 lovely ladies that are all working within the Construction Industry and all keen to learn for them elves but to support one another.
I have no doubt I will hear: “If this was a male issue, it would already be on everyone’s agenda.” But would it? Men also struggle in silence, just as women do. Neither menopause nor andropause is yet “the norm” to talk about at work or personally for some people.
Meanwhile, our feeds are flooded with “quick fixes”, drinks, flavoured gummies, multiple supplements, that you easily forget “Did I just take that one”.
Big retailers (yes, the one beginning with B) are stocking shelves with menopause products but mostly for women, not always for men. Health is a big commercial business and in the UK, it is a tiny % unlike what I witnessed when I lived in the USA. Let’s be honest, when women are dealing with daily confusion, forgetfulness, and brain fog, remembering which product to buy (and why) becomes difficult. That’s a marketeer’s dream: making money from women’s health challenges but not always providing real solutions.
My own training with the Menopause Experts Group was a real eye-opener. It deepened my understanding of how menopause impacts tall of the body in so many ways, and how truly individual the journey is. Whether it’s HRT, natural therapies, or a blend of both – it’s about what your body can cope with and what feels right for you only.
That’s why having credible, relevant information matters, not just for individuals, but for businesses too. Training staff of all ages to spot the signs and understand the impact suffered by both sexes, is crucial if we want to move beyond a once-a-year awareness day and embed genuine, everyday support. The support you provide is not just for Menopause it is also for multiple health conditions and also mental health and suicide prevention, yes you read that correct!
If you’d like to explore how menopause (and andropause) awareness can be brought into your workplace, I offer 1:1 coaching and Teams training sessions tailored to your needs. Remember it’s a strength to chat and within your power to solve.