The Menopause & Me Digital Toolkit
‘The change’, ‘the time of life’ – call it what you will, it is an unavoidable fact that all women go through the menopause. However, for many women this natural process is a time of anxiety and distress due to the various symptoms that can accompany it. Some menopausal changes can also be brought about by treatments for cancer, including chemotherapy, ovarian ablation and hormone therapy.
Whatever their cause, the following information is designed to enhance knowledge and provide support to deal with symptoms that accompany the Menopause, especially in the work setting.
Belfast Trust has developed a digital toolkit to provide information and dispel myths around the menopause.
Download for PDF:
For more information or support with workplace issues, please contact Catherine Downey, call (028) 9046 0606.
There are four tools provided:
1. Understanding the Menopause – A Guide for Managers
This seven minute video is designed to help line managers understand the symptoms and issues women face when managing the menopause. It also suggests potential actions managers can take to support their employees.
2. Managing Symptoms of the Menopause – A Guide for Women
This four minute video is designed to help women understand the potential symptoms of the menopause and encourages them to seek help from their line manager when needed.
3. The Menopause – HRT & Alternative Therapies
This four minute video focuses on the pros and cons of HRT and Alternative Therapies.
4. The Menopause – Signposts to Additional Support
This interactive document provides a range of clickable links that signpost users to a variety of sources. These are of benefit to women and line managers.
Menopause Sessions 2023
| Date | Time | Topic | Link to Register |
| 25th January 2023 | 1pm – 1.30pm | Menopause & Mood | click here |
| 7th February 2023 | 12.30 – 1pm | Menopause & Alcohol | click here |
| 8th March 2023 | 12.30 – 1pm | Menopause & Diabetes | click here |
| 27th April 2023 | 12.30 – 1.30pm | Psychological Impact of Menopause | click here |
Useful Resources
-
Alcohol and Menopause Information Booklet
Does alcohol affect the menopause?
Alcohol can contribute to some symptoms of the menopause, such as
hot flushes and night sweats. Menopause can disrupt your sleep and
alcohol can make that worse.
Many women put on weight around this time as well and as alcohol is
high in calories it can contribute to weight gain. As we get older, we
lose muscle and gain fat. We also break down alcohol more slowly.
Your alcohol intake during menopause may worsen mood swings and
contribute to anxiety. Its not sensible to use alcohol to self medicate
when you are stressed or anxious.
Our bones slowly get thinner too, particularly in women after the
menopause. Drinking a lot of alcohol can make this worse, increasing
your risk of osteoporosis (a condition that affects the bones, causing
them to become weak and fragile and more likely to break). This
increases the risk of falls and fractures.
It doesn’t affect each person in the same way, It seems to be
influenced by how much you drink and what stage of the menopause
you are at. The more you drink the greater the risks and effects.
Drinking too much can also increase risk of a range of health
conditions including breast cancer. - : Supporting Our NHS People Through Menopause – Guidance for Line Managers and Colleagues