Definition of Menopause
Last updated:The menopause is a natural stage of life during which individuals will stop having periods and experience hormonal changes such as a decrease in oestrogen levels. This affects around half of the population. Including:
- intersex people – some people prefer the term 'differences in sex development' (DSD).
- Disabled people and those with pre-existing health conditions eg; fibromyalgia, joint issues and inflammatory conditions, may find that the menopause can aggravate their existing impairments and health conditions or even trigger new ones. Menopausal symptoms can in turn also be made worse by the disabled woman’s impairment or health condition.
- Some trans men may experience natural menopausal symptoms. ('trans' is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender is not the same as the sex they were assigned at birth).
- Some trans women may experience pseudo-menopausal symptoms related to their hormone therapy treatment.
- Some non-binary people may experience menopausal symptoms.
The menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and typically lasts between four and eight years.
However, each employee's experience will differ; there is no ‘one size fits all’ and menopausal symptoms can occasionally begin before the age of 40.
Some studies suggest that some ethnic groups may have more prevalent and severe menopause symptoms.
Perimenopause, or menopause transition, begins several years before menopause.
An individual may start to experience menopausal symptoms during the final two years of perimenopause.
While symptoms vary greatly, they commonly include:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Headaches
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Joint stiffness, aches, and pains
- Reduced concentration
- Heavy periods
- palpitations (heartbeats that become more noticeable)
- skin changes (dryness, acne, general itchiness)
Each of these symptoms can affect an employee's comfort and performance at work.
Individuals will be affected in different ways and to varying degrees over different periods of time. Menopausal symptoms can often indirectly affect their partners, families, and colleagues.
The School recognises that for many reasons, peoples’ individual experiences of the menopause may differ greatly.