Menopause Matters
Welcome to the Cera Wellbeing Menopause pages. Here you can find lots of helpful information about Menopause, and a directory of external resources if you need further guidance.
At Cera we have a predominately female workforce and are very aware that menopause will affect many of our employees. We've built this to host lots of helpful information and resources, so that you'll have somewhere to turn if you are affected by menopause or perimenopause.
The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to conceive naturally. Menopause is officially defined as a point in time 12 months after a woman's last period, but in reality, it is much more than that. Most women go through it between the ages of 45 and 55, but symptoms can begin months before your periods stop and last for a few years afterwards.
Perimenopause is the build up to the actual event of Menopause and your periods stopping, this can begin from late thirties onwards.
Below are links to useful guides which provide an introduction to Menopause:
Talking about Menopause
The easier you make it for someone to open up to you, the easier it will be to identify the support they need.
Here are some links to documents for tips about speaking up on how to approach the conversation:
5 minute guide: Talking to your GP about menopause
Video: How to talk to your healthcare professional about Menopause
5 minute guide: Talking to your manager about menopause
5 minute manager's guide: Having a supportive conversation about menopause
TV presenter Davina McCall has been outspoken about her menopause experience and the associated symptoms. She made these documentaries on Channel 4.
Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is a natural part of women’s lives, but it’s not always an easy transition.
Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have a big impact on your daily life, including relationships, social life, family life and work.
It can feel different for everyone. You may have a number of symptoms or none.
Symptoms usually start months or years before your periods stop. This is called the perimenopause.
Changes to your periods
The first sign of the perimenopause is usually, but not always, a change in the normal pattern of your periods, for example they become irregular - eventually you'll stop having periods altogether.
Mental health symptoms
Common mental health symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include:
changes to your mood, like low mood, anxiety, mood swings and low self-esteem problems with memory or concentration (brain fog)
Physical symptoms
Common physical symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include:
- hot flushes, when you have sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest which can make you dizzy
- difficulty sleeping, which may be a result of night sweats and make you feel tired and irritable during the day
- palpitations, when your heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable
- headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
- muscle aches and joint pains
- changed body shape and weight gain
- skin changes including dry and itchy skin
- reduced sex drive
- vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
- recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- sensitive teeth, painful gums or other mouth problems
To access further resources please click below: NHS Menopause Pages Symptoms of Menopause
Who are your Cera Menopause Champions?
We have some amazing Menopause Champions across the business. Here are just some of them:
- Hannah, in our Operations Team
- Cheryl, in our Colwyn Bay Branch
- Julie, in our SVQ Region 1 Team
- Sarah, in our Nurse Tutoring Team
- Iris, in our Tayside & Fife Team
- Zena, in our Berkshire Team