Perimenopause, Menopause, and Post-Menopause at Work
Perimenopause, Menopause, and Post-Menopause at Work
If you are smack in the middle of your menopausal journey, you may be experiencing hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog, or emotional highs and lows that are making you dizzier than a ride on Space Mountain at Disneyland. You might feel like an alien has taken over your body.
One thing that doesn’t change through ‘the change’ is your daily responsibilities either at home, work, or socially. Many women are in leadership roles or starting new businesses in mid-life. Why not, we are living longer? No matter whether you work inside the home or outside the home or both, you can’t leave your menopause on the kitchen counter. It comes right along with you – wherever you go. Oh, joy!
Menopausal symptoms may make your work life more difficult causing you to make more mistakes, be more emotional, or even anxious? Menopausal symptoms can wreck havoc on your confidence and self-worth. The emotional highs and lows can remind you of those dreaded pubescent years we all try to forget.
Here are my top 4 tips for managing perimenopause and menopause in the workplace:
1. Find a menopause specialist- FAST! This may not be the healthcare provider that you are currently going to, nor the gynecologist that delivered your babies. However, there could be a doctor or nurse practitioner in the gynecologist’s office that you are currently going to that does specialize in menopause. This healthcare provider will be up on the latest information and studies so that they can develop an individual plan to meet your specific health needs. If you are currently going to a healthcare provider that is NOT helping your menopausal symptoms, then find another one! No divorce attorney needed. I have some helpful tips on how to find a specialist here.
2. Download my FREE eBook, MENOPAUSE MONDAYS The Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause, a comprehensive guide to all things menopause—the symptoms, the treatments, and the long-range effects on a woman’s health. In this book, you will find the expertise of numerous specialists to help you replace the confusion and embarrassment with medically sound solutions. You will find detailed descriptions and treatments for the symptoms you or your loved one may experience, from hot flashes and mood swings to mental fogginess and loss of libido, and lots more in between.
3. Stay up on the latest information and studies so that you can become your own best health advocate. Browse through my Menopause Mondays blog posts and read the posts that might pertain to your symptoms and concerns. This will help you base your healthcare decisions on facts instead of fear or old information. For example, if you want to learn about the 2016 global consensus on menopausal hormone therapy – then read Menopause Mondays: The Latest Info on Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT).
4. Most importantly, trust how you feel! You know when you don’t feel well. So, reach out and get the help you need and deserve.
One final request! If you are in a leadership role, I encourage you to take the lead on this issue. Bust open the menopause conversation at work. I am here to help craft a customized program for your company. Menopause happens when women are at the peak of their careers. No need to have a blip on that screen. Once you get the proper help that you need, you can lead a happy, healthy, productive life in perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause!
My Motto: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!
I just read today’s post—working while in menopause.
In retrospect, I probably should have received a medal for going through a horrible peri-menopause while teaching in a classroom of 30 very cute third graders. How I did it I will never know, other than I went into my classroom each day hoping I would make it through the day without completely falling apart while dealing with about 35 rather severe symptoms!
Now 20 years later, I realize that it took exactly what you continue to say to do—I found a great doctor, I read anything I could get my hands on regarding how to deal with what was happening, I did the best I could to make myself feel as comfortable as possible, and I spent a lot of time talking with other women so they could learn from my experience. I truly feel I am stronger having lived through that very difficult time in my life.
Love the party idea—by the way!
—Randie Noell
Yorba Linda, California
I am sending you a virtual medal! Thank you for sharing our journey with us. I think when we share we help others to not feel so alone in the challenges of menopause. I hope this will help others to reach out and get the help they need!
It is so wonderful that you help so many people with your articles. We need to support women’s issues now more than ever!
That is for sure, Tam. No need for a blip on the screen…………….with the right help and support, women can and should be able to feel good in menopause and beyond.
Great advice as usual Ellen. So many women think they are very ill and will try vitamins, supplements alternative care etc. While these are all good, getting the correct diagnosis from a specialist is the most important thing. Thinking that your OBGYN is the right person isn’t always correct. Being in denial is not the answer wither. Your motto fits well here!!!
Amen, sister!
As always the best information for us middle aged women. I thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
So happy you find the info helpful, Doreen.
Download the E-book! Really helpful and should be widely read. You can cope!
Thanks, Carol.
Hello my sisters, I have been with this blog for a few years now, and it is always so refreshing to be with my sisters in the same struggle. I have Ellen’s book, it is a life saver, and I have shared it with others. Enjoy the evening.
Thank you for your sweet words, Debra. I am so happy that you have found my book helpful!
Women really go through the gamut from periods to menopause, to aches and pains of age. But we’re tough and get through it. Thanks for the great info on menopause in the workplace.
So true, Rebecca. We do go through alot………..maybe that’s why we are so strong and wise.