Normalising Menopause
On episode 54 of Why Care?, I had the pleasure of sitting on the sofa with the inspirational Lavina Mehta MBE, wellness coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of Feel Good with Lavina. In the episode, we touch on Lavina’s mission of normalising conversations around menopause, her commitment to promoting accessible health through her innovative ‘exercise snacking’ concept (more on that later), as well as her approach to celebrating menopause as a milestone in every woman's life. I wanted to explore this further in the context of the workplace - how menopause shapes women's experiences, and how both workplaces and individuals can navigate this new change.
What is menopause?
Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period, usually (but not always) between the ages of 45 and 55. It is a moment in time, rather than a period of time. The lead up to menopause, known as perimenopause, includes a range of physical and cognitive side effects, like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and mood changes (and many, many others!). Although often challenging, for many women it marks a new start that allows them to approach their careers and personal growth with renewed energy, conviction and wisdom.
How does menopause impact women's workplace experiences?
Because it's still widely misunderstood, perimenopause is sometimes seen as a disruption to productivity in the workplace. We may find that actually, it presents a powerful opportunity to reimagine and challenge traditional ways of working in favour of more flexible and sustainable approaches.
Many women choose to adapt their working styles around the physical and cognitive changes that menopause brings. For example, someone experiencing sleeplessness might prefer to schedule meetings in the afternoon rather than the morning. Joint pain, another common symptom, might lead others to opt for standing desks or take dynamic breaks (Lavina’s concept of "exercise snacking" is a great example: short, manageable exercises that fit seamlessly into a daily routine).
Those dealing with cognitive changes such as brain fog, may choose to time focus-heavy tasks around windows of mental clarity in their day, such as the morning. The point is: menopause naturally changes the way many women work. It’s important that workplaces recognise, adapt to, and value that.
How organisations shouldn’t address menopause
According to Lavina’s book, The Feel Good Fix, 1 in 4 women are considering leaving the workplace due to menopause, demonstrating an overall shortcoming when it comes to including women at this stage of their life.
Menopause isn’t a weakness and treating it as one, or ignoring it altogether, is harmful. Many women already feel frustrated by the changes they’re experiencing and worry about being judged as less capable or reliable. Approaching menopause as a liability only adds to the pressure. It can lead to withdrawal or doubts - not because they are any less competent, but because their environment isn’t responsive to what they’re navigating.
Wellbeing perks like yoga classes or mindfulness apps, while well-meaning, often miss the mark. They don’t address the specific physical and cognitive realities of menopause. What’s needed is support that’s targeted and rooted in the lived experience.
How should workplaces navigate menopause?
There are many targeted solutions workplaces can adopt to be more inclusive. Here are some actionable suggestions:
Access to cooler rooms, or providing desk fans or AC for changes in regulating body temperature.
Ergonomic furniture, such as adjustable chairs or standing desks to ease joint pain.
Access to quiet spaces for moments of fatigue.
Flexibility with working hours and location when possible.
Providing easy access to information on perimenopause and menopause for everyone, whether through workshops or, as Lavina highlights, by placing educational literature in communal spaces.
Create psychological safety through creating channels for frank dialogue around the concerns of women experiencing it.
How can Avenir help?
At Avenir, our Inclusive Leadership Programme equips leaders with the tools they need to foster inclusive workplaces.
My book, Beyond Discomfort: Why inclusive leadership is so hard (and what you can do about it), is also an invaluable resource for learning how to harness discomfort as a catalyst for positive change and greater returns. You can get your hands on a copy of the book here. It is also available as an audiobook to listen to on the go.
You can also access more episodes of Why Care? here.