Never be 'fobbed off' when it comes to the menopause

Your doctor may be the difference between getting the right support (or not!) when it comes to balancing your hormones…

- JENNY ROWE

When I started working in healthcare 20 years ago, (and for a long time after) the only nod to women going through the menopause at work was the slamming shut of a wide-open window, accompanied by a derogatory comment about hot flushes. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then, and not only are we empowering women to seek treatment, we’re encouraging workplaces to support their workers. It’s a welcome advance, but is it enough?

Some of you will have a GP, practice nurse or pharmacist who has undergone additional training in menopause care but, unfortunately, this is by no means mandatory. Plus, for some women the menopause can be far more complex than it first appears, and easing symptoms can take longer than you think.