Menopause Awareness Day - Jo & Lisa's stories

In October 2023 Unipart launched it's first policy providing specific guidance on managing the menopause at work. A significant starting point as we work to build confidence, understanding and awareness of the adjustments and support available for anyone who is struggling with symptoms of the Menopause and related health conditions. Find out more about why the menopause at work is a priority.

Jo Matson, Head of Internal Comms & Engagement for Unipart joined us to share her journey to date:

“It was just over 2 and half years ago that I first started to feel that something wasn't quite right.

“It's hard to explain, but all of a sudden I had lost my "mojo" - I was constantly tired no matter how much sleep I had, I started to wake up in the night with hot flushes and I began to feel anxious and paranoid about how I was coming across to others at work. However, I brushed it off and carried on - blaming it on various other things.

“I remember the pivotal point came around 6 months after I started feeling this way. I was in a meeting with colleagues who I had worked with for some time and was usually comfortable with, but for some reason afterwards I was extremely anxious about how I had come across. Luckily I have a great relationship with my manager who was also in the meeting, so I was able to ring her up and ask for feedback. She was really understanding and reassured me that my contributions had been sensible and valuable. At that point I realised that it was me - it was all in my head.

“That was the final straw and I called my GP the next day. Luckily, she was extremely helpful and, although I was only 44 at the time, she booked me in for blood tests and recommended that I track my symptoms and mood using the balance app for a month.

“Although the blood tests came back inconclusive, the app showed trends which indicated I was in perimenopause and my GP prescribed Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Within weeks of starting HRT I felt so much better - my energy levels resumed, the anxiety stopped, and I felt back to my normal self.

“Over the last two years, new symptoms have arisen - I have gained weight, I can't drink alcohol without getting an immediate hot flush and headache, and I regularly get "brain fog". Forgetting things has been one of the hardest things to deal with in work as I have always prided myself on being a really organised and an "on the ball" person.

“Luckily I have an amazing team around me, and I am really honest with all my work colleagues about what I am going through, who are very understanding. I feel lucky that I am living in a time where there is much more awareness about this topic, and there is so much support and advice out there compared to what there has been for previous generations.”

Lisa Skelton, HR Consultant in the NHS Supply Chain also joined the conversation to share how it impacts her at work.

“My biggest impact is the brain fog. It makes me feel thick and stupid because when I'm put on the spot in conversations, I can't recall stuff either quick enough or at all. I know I'm neither of these things but feel that other people may think so. My coping mechanism is to joke about it, comments such as I've slept since then, it's filed under menopause or are you really asking the menopausal woman to remember something?

“I write most things down so given time I can go through my notes and find things. However, at the moment, I feel the frustration of the person wanting the info when I can't supply it immediately.”

The point of sharing these experiences is to demonstrate that nobody is alone, menopause will look different for everyone, symptoms will range from nothing/mild to severe with significant impact on daily life, so it’s important to remember that the conversation and adjustments required must be tailored to each individual experience.

To demonstrate our support for colleagues in the workplace who are going through the menopause Unipart have signed the Menopause workplace pledge. It is through the Wellbeing of Women charity that we are able to share with you a toolkit of practical support which aims to create greater awareness and understanding of what the Menopause is, the range of symptoms, tips on how to have a conversation, how to support yourself and others in the workplace. You can download each section of the toolkit by clicking on it below.

Your Toolkit:

Menopause symptoms explained

Managing symptoms at work

Talking about your Menopause

Talking to Colleagues

Tips for Managers

Useful Resources & Signposts

From today, the 18th October we are encouraging sites to continue the work they’ve been doing to host tea n talk's, but to take the opportunity to run specific sessions (as regular as required) under the umbrella of a Menopause Cafe. These sessions are designed to provide safe spaces to focus on the subject of Menopause and other related health subjects; enabling the conversation to start; for individuals to seek support and understand what is available within the workplace. These are for everyone. Not just someone who may be experiencing the menopause. We encourage everyone to get curious, to understand what it is and how they can support one another, inside and outside of the workplace.

You don't need to be experiencing the Menopause to facilitate or attend a session. Here are some ways to get the conversation started:

The Myths v the Facts from the Menopause Charity or maybe visit the Menopause over martini's website and use some of their conversation starters.

We all struggle, if that's you, you're not alone and by finding the courage to open up you will help yourself to understand what you need to do next.

For a confidential conversation with a caring colleague you can reach out to a Mental Health First Aider directly, or by sending a message through Here4U, or you can call TELUS Health One on 0800 169 1920 to speak in confidence with a counsellor.