Working and Menopause

Every woman has a different script for her hormones during the perimenopausal years. In fact, your hormones could be doing a number of different things in the years leading up to menopause. Fluctuating hormones often bring about a host of short-term physical symptoms including bloating, irritability, mood swings, lethargy, food cravings, headaches, anxiety, increased stress and more. The good news, once a woman reaches menopause, hormones tend to stabilize. However, in the years leading up to menopause, many women experience a few bumps in the hormonal journey.

Seventy percent of women of menopausal age work. Navigating the menopausal map during these working years can be somewhat of a challenge. While life continues through menopause and beyond, there are some tips and tricks that can help both you and your employer maneuver through these transitional years and foster a professional environment that can be a win-win. In decades past, perimenopause and menopause have been seen as a private matter, thus causing many women to feel they have to hide their symptoms at work and subsequently, many women felt uncomfortable and ill prepared to seek mutually beneficial solutions.

With many changes and new symptoms, some women attribute their extra stress and irritability to the increasing pressures of advancing in their career, raising growing children and/or caring for aging parents. However, with knowledge, communication, education and understanding, women can help to foster an environment of support and encouragement.

Menopause can be one of the most emotional, stressful, psychologically draining times. It’s never too early to start eating healthfully, balancing your hormone levels and educating yourself about the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. So whether you’re in your 20s, 30s or 40s, we are here to help women through the transition with information and education.

Of course, some of the same symptoms of PMS and perimenopause may be associated with other medical conditions. It is important for all women to have an ongoing relationship and dialog with their primary care physician. If you need to schedule a routine exam, have symptoms that are concerning or if you need to talk to a physician, please feel free to call my office at 208-232-6100.