Menopause Awareness at Right at Home Solent: Southampton, Fareham, Gosport & New Forest
Menopause Awareness and Support with Right at Home Solent
Published: 18/10/2023
World Menopause Awareness Day
World Menopause Day is held each year on 18th October to raise awareness, break the stigma, and highlight the support available for improving health and wellbeing for those experiencing menopause.
Did you know that three out of five working women aged between 45 and 55 who are experiencing menopause symptoms say it has a negative impact on them at work? More than half report increased stress, and nearly a third have taken sick leave due to their symptoms. Only a quarter tell their manager the real reason(Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development - CIPD).
Menopause at Right at Home Solent
Across our teams in Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, and the New Forest, we often see how important it is for workplaces to support colleagues who may be going through menopause, especially in caring roles where energy and wellbeing are essential.
Ali, our Right at Home Solent Office Manager, shared her experience with menopause in hopes that it encourages more open conversations. Being Mental Health First Aid Support for our Carers, Ali supports colleagues across Southampton, Fareham, Gosport and the New Forest by encouraging communication and openness about wellbeing.
Not everyone feels comfortable discussing topics like mental health or menopause, but talking about experiences can help reduce stress and support coping strategies. A problem shared is a problem halved.
Ali started going through menopause when she was 34, and after two years of symptoms, she had a hysterectomy in the hope it would ease things. Unfortunately, at 38, her symptoms returned and continued until she was 51.
During this time, Ali was also diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at 49. It is believed she may have had diabetes for some time before diagnosis, as some symptoms overlap with menopause. This overlap highlights why it’s so important to speak to medical professionals when something doesn’t feel right.
What services and support do we offer our Clients with Diabetes?
Menopause Symptoms
Since going through menopause and out the other side, Ali has lost three stone and two pounds by attending Slimming World classes. Weight gain is a common symptom of menopause; it doesn't matter what diet you try. 2023 is the second year in a row that Ali has been out of the diabetic range, from nine tablets to four, with the aim that one day she can go down to one. Ali constantly watches what she eats and continues to make better, healthier options. "There are nights that I may get a night sweat, but now I know this is my Diabetes... So if I have been naughty, I sweat the sugar out." - this is also a common symptom of menopause, so it's easy to ignore this and assume it's menopause.
Menopause Symptoms Ali Had for 12 Years Include:
- Hot flushes
- Migraines
- Night sweats
- Panic Attacks
- Foggy brain
- Weight Gain – despite diet!
- Feeling tired at the strangest time of the day
- Thyroid symptoms (I couldn't wear anything around my neck because it felt strangling.)
- Not able to sleep through the night
Menopause Relief
Ali took HRT tablets (Hormone Replacement Therapy), which only 14% of women experiencing menopause in the UK are on. HRT can help relieve symptoms of menopause. Unfortunately, neither HRT patches nor gel helped Ali. "All the medication I took to make menopause that small bit easier, actually just enhanced my symptoms. I eventually understood that I just had to accept what I going through and learn to live with it".
Ali found a few different things that she could do that helped alleviate some of her symptoms. Reducing her caffeine intake helped, and reducing her alcohol intake and sugar are among the changes Ali made to her lifestyle.
Changes that Help Ali's Menopause Experience:
- Reducing Caffeine Intake (Tip: switch to decaf if you can't forgo your morning coffee)
- Eat More Fresh Food such as fruit and vegetables – and try to stay away from fatty foods!
- Reduce Alcohol Intake
- Reduce All Sugars
- Drink More Water (Tip: Use fresh fruit to infuse the water - it's a great way of drinking more water for those who struggle with this!)
- Carry On Exercising – Walking, Swimming and Bike Riding. "I get out and do some exercise whenever I can!"
- Cotton Sheets on the Bed at Night
- A Cool Mat – "I found being able to put my feet on this during the night helped a lot, I still use it now."
- Talking About It To Others - "Especially my husband, having someone close to you that understands what is happening to you really helps, and what a superstar he was!"
- Wear Looser Clothing
- Have a Sense of Humour About It – "If I was having a flush, I would say 'I'm just having a moment!'"
Menopause in the Workplace
Menopause can affect concentration, energy, and comfort at work, which is why workplace understanding is so important.
At Right at Home Solent, Ali felt supported through open conversations with our directors. Simple adjustments were made to help her continue working comfortably, including:
- Flexible working and reduced hours when needed
- Regular breaks during the day
- A cooler, well-ventilated workspace
- Access to cold water and a fan
- Ability to step away briefly when symptoms were strong
- Comfortable clothing options where appropriate
These small changes made a significant difference in supporting wellbeing at work.
Final thoughts
Menopause is a natural part of life, but it can have a real impact on daily wellbeing and working life. Creating open conversations and supportive environments helps people feel more comfortable, understood, and able to continue working confidently.
If you would like to have a chat with our lovely Ali about menopause, please don't hesitate to give her a call. You can contact Ali on 01329 233755. Right at Home Solent is here for you!
If you would like additional information or support about menopause symptoms and wellbeing, guidance is available through the NHS menopause support page.
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/help-and-support/