![]() The only way to change this is to talk about it and normalise it. We need to recognise that menopause isn’t the end, it’s a beginning. Menopause is difficult to talk about because of the unspoken social biases. The prejudices around menopause cut across cultures. There are things we can do, but it all starts with talking about it - all of us. Women said that their boss’ gender had a marked impact on whether they talked about it or not. How do you tell your manager that the reason you’re shouting, bursting into tears and then back again in minutes is because you’re in menopause? Where do you start when there’s no established narrative on what to say, especially if your boss is a man? The Trade Union Congress did some research into Menopause at Work. Our mothers, aunts, teachers don’t know how to talk about it, and we lack the narrative to open the conversation with our colleagues, managers, or partners.įor working women it’s tough. We arrive at this phase in our lives, uneducated and unprepared. If you’re in the 25% experiencing a bad menopause, it’s a massive shock. The social taboo around the menopause is enormous. I decided to research it and help myself. Women need the facts so that they can make an informed choice. In addition to this, most GPs receive very little training on menopause. There are risks associated with taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). When mine started no-one talked about it. I spoke to four GPs and two health practitioners, before I got any help. Intense hot flushes, night sweats, depression, anxiety - it went on and on. I went from a gregarious, outgoing individual to someone who couldn’t get out of the house in the morning. Things are different now, thank goodness.īecoming a menopause coach was due to my own menopause experience which started six years ago. I re-trained as a coach because it held less of the stigma. In those days, therapists and their patients faced prejudices. I trained as a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist about 20 years ago. They could be your mentor, work colleagues, partner, children, friends whoever. If you can harness your relationships, they provide a cushion of support and encouragement to help you to catapult into the second phase. The other part is about recognizing the importance of relationships in the success of menopause. Because everything about you is screaming, “Take stock, make decisions, get your life in order”. It's a beginning - an incredible opportunity that should be recognised. I work with women to enable them to see their menopause and the second phase of their lives positively. Kate: I’m a menopause and second phase coach, an activist and a feminist. Read on to learn about Kate’s journey towards taking control of the menopause. Exciting! “ We need to recognise that menopause isn’t the end. She’s changing the negative narrative, empowering women to manage the challenges at work and home, whilst enabling them to see menopause for what it is – life’s second phase. A smart, bold, proactive, out-spoken, activist and leader. So, it’s merely a matter of time before the unmentionable becomes mentionable and hits the mainstream.īut what about my Woman? She’s Kate Usher, menopause coach and expert and author of Your Second Phase. And there’s a ‘Menopause - the Musical’ too. High profile women have been sharing their experiences - until a certain virus brought things to a screeching halt. And whilst we may roll our eyes at the menopausal male, the menopausal woman has been condemned to off-limits status.īut here’s the good news! Change is afoot. Why the difference? It’s an age thing! The older the woman the less she’s valued. Yet, pesky pubescent girls are accepted as normal - a fact of life. ![]() So, there you have it! Menopausal women rarely get mentioned. ![]()
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