World menopause day 2024

World Menopause Day is held every year on 18th October. For those of you that know, I work with the wonderful Dr Louise Taylor in our joint venture Work With Women's Wellbeing to support organisations - particularly in the area of menopause.

We've worked with some wonderful organisations, and supported them with great advice. However, I will be honest - I had no experience of this directly. I could absolutely empathise, but it wasn't until this year that I really felt the value of what we do.

I'm 42 now, and over the last 6 months I've started to experience some pretty debilitating peri menopausal stuff. Migraines that last days, leaving me unable to work - as a self employed person thats stressful. Sleep is a struggle and my anxiety has had some interesting days. Feeling rather warm in the night isn't just my labradors lying on me after all.

I was told by my GP that there wasn't much that could be done and this 'could last for 10 years'.

I can see first hand why women now feel like they have no choice but to leave the workplace. If I was employed, and had to take 3 days off each month I am sure this would start to become an issue in time. Especially if that business wasn't aware.

Thank god I have the knowledge that I do from the work with Louise and I was actually able to push back, and get some proper help. Many women don't. This knowledge, education and then confidence that comes with that is vital when self advocating.

So on this World Menopause Day I encourage organisations to really educate themselves - there are so many ways to support the people experiencing the effects of menopause in your businesses, and it will make such a huge difference to your people.