Menopause Impacts Women’s Lives: Insights from 'Feeling the Heat'
Over the weekend, I attended the "All About Women" festival at the Sydney Opera House and had the opportunity to sit in on the "Feeling the Heat" session. The speakers included Dr Susan Davis from Monash University, Dr Fatima Khan, Em Rusciano, Grace Molloy from Menopause Friendly Australia. The discussion was both enlightening and validating, highlighting the real-world impact of menopause on women’s lives.
Redefining Menopause + symptom based approach
Traditionally, menopause has been defined as 12 months without a period, but this definition is evolving. The session highlighted that it should be relabelled as the end of ovarian function, not just the cessation of menstruation. This shift is essential, as many symptoms—including hormonal fluctuations and long-term health risks—persist well beyond that one-year mark.
- 42% of older women aged 60-74 continue to experience hot flushes and night sweats after going through menopause!! (or defined as Post-menopausal patients)
- These symptoms can persist anywhere between ages 35-70s.
The discussion also underscored the importance of an individualised, symptom-based approach to menopause management rather than rigid stage-based labels. Support should be tailored to a woman’s unique experience, ensuring she gets the care and treatment suited to her needs.
Varying symptoms of Perimenopause
One of the key themes explored was the wide range of symptoms women experience. Besides the hot flushes and night sweats:
- Brain fog
- Word recall difficulties, mental acuity challenges
- and Frozen shoulder
Were all mentioned as common issues. These cognitive and physical symptoms can be frustrating and disruptive, particularly for women who are still in the workforce.
The Unique Challenge of Perimenopause & Neurodivergence
A particularly interesting discussion revolved around concurrent mental health conditions such as ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD. Many women navigating menopause with these conditions face additional challenges, and there is a concerning lack of research on how menopause treatments interact with medications like Vyvanse, commonly used for ADHD. The need for more inclusive and diverse research in this space was strongly emphasised.
Menopause in the workplace
Menopause's impact on work performance was another key discussion point.
One of the most striking statistics shared was that 81% of women continue working through the menopausal transition. However, this period brings significant challenges, including:
- Reduced mental clarity, word recall issues, and brain fog.
- Hot flushes and night sweats, which persist for 42% of women aged 60-74.
- The struggle of managing heavy menstrual flow at work.
Many women struggle with managing symptoms, particularly at work, like heavy bleeding, fatigue, and brain fog, yet workplace support remains limited. The session emphasised the importance of shifting workplace policies to accommodate these challenges.
This is just the beginning...
The "Feeling the Heat" session was a powerful reminder that menopause is not a one-size-fits-all experience. More research, better workplace support, and a shift in medical definitions are all crucial steps toward improving the menopause journey for women. I left feeling both informed and hopeful that these conversations will continue to drive change. It’s clear that more awareness, education, and tailored support are needed for women navigating this transition.
This is just Part 1 of a two part blog post on the Feeling the Heat talk. For more on the silent symptoms of Menopausal transition, Sex Life and libido and Modern HRT, read the next part here.
Further Reading:
