Menopause

Supporting a colleague

We all need to feel comfortable talking about menopause and feel able to ask for help and support if needed. Simply by being willing and open to talking about it can make a big difference to someone.

If you notice a colleague struggling or not seeming themselves, ask how they are or if there is anything you can help with.

Here are some tips on supporting a colleague that you know, or suspect might be, experiencing menopause:

It’s important to appreciate that everyone is different, so don’t make assumptions. Whether that’s about symptoms (some don’t have any), how we manage them or how much we want to talk about it.
Some staff may want to keep personal information, such as their symptoms, private, and that's completely their choice, try not to ask questions that may be considered invasive.

The human approach is powerful, it shows you care, understand, and want to support. A simple ‘How are you?’ or ‘What can I do to help?’ is often enough. Small gestures can make a big difference. Even being able to be open up about it can be a relief.