I am far from the first to notice that menopause is having its moment.
The tragic death of Nicola Bulley recently brought out the cultural taboos in this area. Was it, for example, misogynistic or open and empathetic for the police to mention her struggle with the menopause?
The Labour Party launched a menopause action plan yesterday, particularly aimed at businesses with over 250 employees. The Local Government Association has an excellent menopause policy. Even the hapless Tory government had an HRT taskforce; though it disbanded it after a mere four months! Businesses are catching up with the menopausal pound: ranging from Boots selling natural alternatives to HRT and “menopause face creams” to, more comically, Primark selling a menopause (anti hot flush) nightdress.
We are told that 30% of women aged 50-64 are economically inactive and one in ten of women aged 45-55 leave a job because of menopausal symptoms. There is certainly a problem.
One very odd thing about mainstream media discussions on this subject is the level of squeamishness. Vague comments are made about women being a bit cross and a bit sweaty! I am going to be a little more frank. Liberals are not known for their prudishness but please stop reading now gentle LDV reader if you are one of the exceptions with a nervous disposition.
So, in all the vague talk about women being a bit cross and a bit sweaty some of the worst menopausal symptoms are ignored. For instance, about 20% of menopausal women have unmanageably heavy periods, basically “incontinent” of blood, to the point even of blood transfusions. When I was 47 I certainly gave up my job and my two-hour commute to London for that reason. I just could no longer face praying every morning and every evening that the temperamental “Tardis” toilet on the train would be working and vacant. The charity I worked for did not have proper disposal facilities – cue the guilty trip to use the sanitary bin at the Costa down the road. My employer also cut back on working from home so I didn’t have much choice. I also had to manage “the double” experienced by many older mums: menopausal with small children in tow. Though it was not without its moments. Bundling my toddler into a coffee shop toilet cubicle with moments to spare (the urgency mine not his) he gasped with admiration: “Wow Mum. You can do pink wee”.
I Googled away merrily trying to find Lib Dem policy on the menopause but have found very little. Perhaps someone can update me.
* Ruth Bright has been a councillor in Southwark and Parliamentary Candidate for Hampshire East
Follow @LibDemVoice on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Danny Chambers calls for penguins to be moved from "dark and cramped basement"
Failed State: why our government is broken and how to fix it
Unease grows within Labour ranks
Digital Skills Training for people over 65
David Rogers
Nonconformistradical
Mark
Jennie
Robin AG Bennett
5 Comments
Thank you for a brave and much needed article!
I remember attending a Union meeting several years ago in which a female speaker argued that women should have the right to have flexible contracts in which they would get 75% of the pay and be expected to work 75% of the equivalent full time contract, thereby allowing women to not work on days they feel particularly bad. I thought the suggestion could work in some occupations but would be very difficult to manage in some others. That said, better having a part time option than feeling unable to work.
@Stev – Thank you!
@Mel – Interesting, it is partly about occupational health being a bit more imaginative I suppose.
Ruth – your article is very compelling. These issues need to be faced openly and transparently. Good management/employers should be able to mitigate some of these issues – but it baffles me that so many others do not. The reality is that there are many managers/employers who are not much good at either – and that extends way beyond this subject.
I am also perplexed that even the medical profession can be tardy in understanding the menopause. Comments such as “you can’t be you are not old enough” have come to my attention. What planet are these people on!
Maybe I am mistaken, but I sense that as a society we all too often lack empathy and understanding – and don’t even recognise that they are missing. Policies are not enough, we need to be portraying what we see as a desirable way in which all should interact rather than defaulting to almost demonising those with genuine issues.
Thanks Graham.