Colleague Wellbeing

Menopause

This guidance aims to ensure a greater understanding and clarity about what menopause is, what support is available and how this support can be used. 

Menopause Guidance for managers

Menopause: A natural stage of ageing when periods stop due to declining hormone levels. It can also occur after surgery (e.g. removal of ovaries or uterus), cancer treatments, genetic reasons or sometimes unknown causes. It typically occurs between ages 45-55 and affects anyone who has periods.  

Throughout this guidance, we refer to those experiencing menopause as ‘women’. However, we acknowledge that menopause directly affects everybody who has a menstrual cycle, including trans men and some non-binary and intersex individuals.  

Perimenopause: The transition phase before menopause, often lasting several years, when hormone levels fluctuate and symptoms (such as irregular periods) begin.  

Postmenopause: The stage after menopause, starting once you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. 

Symptoms can be both physical and psychological, including hot flushes, night sweats, poor concentration, mood swings, headaches, anxiety, sleep difficulties and joint pain. Duration varies, up to 14 years, though typically around 4 years.  

Not everyone experiences all symptoms or needs support, and severity differs. Some people use HRT to manage symptoms, while others may not be able to. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and alternative therapies can also help. 

We recommend that you speak with your GP in the first instance to ensure appropriate medical support. Helpful guidance on discussing symptoms is available on  henpicked.net , and  NICE guidelines outline treatment and NHS support options.  

Recommendations from the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians include:  

  • Learn about the menopause from available information sources 
  • Seek GP advice on available treatment options 
  • Discuss your practical needs with your line manager or HR  
  • Use technology where this is helpful, e.g. for reminders or note-taking 
  • Talk with supportive colleagues and share coping strategies  
  • Avoid hot flush triggers (such as hot food and drinks), especially before presentations or meetings. 
  • Consider relaxation techniques such as mindfulness and other techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy, which may help reduce the impact of symptoms 
  • Consider lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight management and stopping smoking 

The best way to access support is to speak with your line manager about how menopause symptoms may be affecting your work and wellbeing. Open conversations can help identity practical support and adjustments.  

Talking to your manager 

  • Arrange a private meeting with your line manager 
  • Let them know if possible, so they can prepare 
  • Consider keeping a record of symptoms to help guide the discussion 
  • Explain how your symptoms are impacting your work 

Discussing support and adjustments  

You may find it helpful to suggest practical adjustments, for example: 

  • Changes in your workspace (e.g. access to a fan, quieter area, seating near a window) 
  • Flexible working patterns or temporary adjustments  
  • Changes to workload or scheduling  
  • Ongoing support 
  • Agree regular check-ins to review what is working and make changes if needed 
  • If you are receiving medical support, adjustments may change over time. 

A range of support is available to help you manage menopause symptoms at work.  

Occupational Health 

The Occupational Health team can: 

  • Assess your needs  
  • Recommend reasonable adjustments 
  • Provide guidance to you and your manager 
  • Signpost to further support  

You can talk to your manager about getting a referral, or you can self-refer using this link. 

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)- Spectrum Life 

Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through Spectrum Life, including:  

  • Counselling 
  • Emotional wellbeing support  
  • Online resources on topics such as low mood and self-esteem  

Flexible working and leave options  

You may wish to consider temporary adjustments to support your wellbeing, such as:  

Sickness absence 

Menopause and perimenopause symptoms are recognised within sickness absence reporting, helping to ensure appropriate understanding and support.  

University of Exeter: Bitesize Learning -Menopause at Work 

 A session for colleagues and managers on menopause symptoms and management, delivered by our Occupational Health Team.  

Talkworks for Menopause (Devon)  

Talkworks is the NHS provider for NHS Talking Therapies (previously IAPT) in Devon. A free 6-week CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) course (weekly 2-hour online sessions) offering strategies to manage menopause and perimenopause symptoms. Check the Talkworks website or call 0300 555 3344 to book.  

NHS Menopause Course (Cornwall) 

A group course delivered over five 90-minute sessions by NHS talking therapies practitioners. Self-referral is available via their website. 

The Menopause Network is an informal, supportive space open to colleagues and students across all Exeter campuses. The group meets online every six weeks and provides an opportunity to share experiences, ask questions and learn about menopause.  

Sessions include discussions as well as talks from guest speakers on topics such as symptoms, health and wellbeing.  

Details about sessions are available via their Teams site, where resources are shared, and ongoing conversations occur.  

The network is open to anyone with lived experience of menopause or an interest in the topic. To join, complete the online form. 

For general queries and practical questions about the network please contact menopausenetwork@exeter.ac.uk. 

More information: Groups, networks and activities | Current staff | University of Exeter

Penryn Menopause Café is organised through FX Plus. Cafés are held online and/or in-person monthly on Penryn campus. The café lasts an hour and is an accessible, confidential, and supportive space where colleagues can discuss any issues around menopause, gain signposting to further resources and support, and share information and tips.  

Who can join and how?  

The Cornwall Menopause Café is open to all Cornwall colleagues, whatever gender or age. Note that the group is not open to students. Details of the cafés will be announced in Cornwall staff newsletters as well as via their Teams site. To join the Teams site or if you have any queries, please contact Clare Manser.  

Group Coordinators  

Clare Manser, Partnership Wellbeing Manager, Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus): C.manser@FXPlus.ac.uk  
Iris Ridout, co-organiser: iris.ridout@fxplus.ac.uk  

More information: Menopause Café (Cornwall) 

Please note that only colleagues based in Cornwall will be able to open the link. If you are based at a non-Cornwall campus and wish to join, please contact the organisers. 

A range of trusted external resources are available to provide further information, guidance and support on menopause.  

Key Sources of Information:  

  • NHS Menopause – provides clear, evidence-based information on symptoms, treatment options and available support 
  • NICE Guidelines (Menopause: Diagnosis and Management) - outlines the care and treatment you can expect from NHS services 
  • British Menopause Society (BMS) - offers expert-led guidance and tools to locate accredited menopause specialists 
  • Henpicked – provides practical advice, including guidance on discussing menopause in the workplace  

Tools and Self-Help Resources: 

Further Resources:  

Managers play an important role in supporting colleagues experiencing menopause. While you are not expected to be an expert, you should be aware of the support available and take a supportive, understanding approach.  

If a colleague is experiencing symptoms, encourage open discussion and signpost them to appropriate support, including seeking advice from their GP.  

For further information, please refer to the Menopause guidance for managers.