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HOW TO TALK ABOUT YOUR SYMPTOMS

Mother and daughter smiling and talking on sofa

MENOPAUSE AFFECTS SO MANY WOMEN, ITS IMPACT SHOULD BE A COMMON CONVERSATION

Every woman's experience of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) is as individual as they are, yet there are common challenges. It’s important to talk openly about your experiences with menopause symptoms to better understand yourself and others. Here, a number of women share their personal accounts.

Close-up of a woman

“I wish I would have known about the intensity of hot flashes. Sometimes they can just be so overwhelming.”

- Lisa, 55

Close-up of a woman

“It has dramatically affected my sleep…I find myself running low with no energy the next day, fatigue. [It’s like having] low batteries. It trickles down and affects everything.”

-Amy, 44

Close-up of a woman

“I’m so embarrassed with friends, family, and romantic partners…it’s so uncomfortable…It affects your life, at least for me, in every aspect.”

- Florin, 67

These women were recruited and contracted by Astellas to participate in interviews and discussions about menopause.
The women portrayed in the images are models, not the interviewees.

SPEAKING OPENLY WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE ABOUT HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS

It can be difficult to make family, friends, and others aware of the effects of VMS. Yet it’s important that you open up to those close to you about these symptoms so that you won’t feel alone in managing the disruption they can cause.

 

Here are a few quick tips for educating some of the people in your life about the impact of hot flashes and night sweats:

TALKING TO YOUR FAMILY:

Women experiencing hot flashes and night sweats aren’t the only ones impacted. Family members can also be negatively affected due to the disruptive symptoms of menopause such as:

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Lack of energy
  • Mood changes
  • Work disruptions
  • Low libido

Taking the time to explain these symptoms to your partner and other family members can help them to understand what you’re going through.

You may also be interested in sharing the Supporting Your Partner Through Menopause resource with your partner:

SPEAKING OPENLY IN THE WORKPLACE

The stereotype associated with menopause is overwhelmingly unflattering and fueled by ageism that devalues women as they get older. As a result, many women experiencing menopause may feel fearful of bringing up their symptoms in the workplace for fear of being viewed as “past their peak” of productivity.

In fact:

  • Approximately 67% of women do not feel comfortable speaking to their supervisor about their symptoms
  • 48% would be embarrassed to ask for support
  • It’s estimated that 14% of women between the ages of 45 and 59 will leave the workforce due to unmanaged symptoms associated with menopause

The stigma associated with menopause can be significant. It discourages open discussion, limits education, and results in inadequate opportunities for meaningful help. Consequently, many women suffer in silence.

To advocate for yourself and other women who may be going through the same symptoms in your workplace, consider encouraging your employer to create a Menopause Inclusive Workplace:

PREPARING FOR A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR DOCTOR

Many women feel unsure of how to bring up hot flashes and night sweats with their doctor. Here are a few tips to help prepare for a chat about these symptoms:

Track your symptoms to help your doctor rule out other conditions

  • Learn what you can about symptom management, and don’t be shy to share articles/evidence-based studies with your doctor
  • Describe details of your symptoms to your doctor. Examples of helpful descriptions:
    • “I have been waking up x number of times a night.”
    • “I sweat so much at night that I need to change my clothes.”
    • “My hot flashes last several minutes, and often disrupt my workday.”
  • See another healthcare practitioner if you feel your doctor is not offering the support you expected

For more information on how to have a successful conversation with your doctor about the symptoms of menopause, download the Before You Go to Your Health Care Practitioner resource.

CLOSING THE MENOPAUSE SUPPORT GAP

Stigma in the workplace can impact women’s ability to thrive in the prime of their working lives.

 

The good news is that a menopause inclusive workplace is possible. Organizations can support women by:

 

• Having medical insurance that covers menopause treatments and therapies

• Incorporating flexible time off and work arrangement policies

• Adjusting the work environment for those going through menopause

• Creating an informational toolkit to increase education and awareness for colleagues and managers

• Host menopause awareness sessions for all employees 

DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE! IT’S TIME TO BREAK THE SILENCE AND STIGMA SURROUNDING THE HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS (KNOWN AS VMS) CAUSED BY MENOPAUSE. IF YOU’RE EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS, SPEAK OPENLY ABOUT THEM TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SO YOU CAN FEEL SUPPORTED.

FIND A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WHO UNDERSTANDS MENOPAUSE

Woman at work smiling confidently
Woman at work smiling confidently

FIND SOME ADDITIONAL VMS RESOURCES

References:

  1. Menopause Foundation of Canada. What Everyone Should Know. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/resources/menopause-what-everyone-should-know/
  2. Monteleone P, Mascagni G, Giannini A, Genazzani AR, Simoncini T. Symptoms of menopause - global prevalence, physiology and implications. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2018;14(4):199-215.
  3. Menopause Foundation of Canada. The Silence and the Stigma: Menopause in Canada. 2022; 1-21. Accessed February 7, 2024. https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MFC_The-Silence-and-the-Stigma_Menopause-in-Canada_Oct22_v2.pdf
  4. Menopause Foundation of Canada. Menopause and Work in Canada. Accessed February 7, 2024. https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/pdf_files/Menopause_Work_Canada_2023EN.pdf
  5. Todorova L, Bonassi R, Guerrero C, et al. Prevalence and impact of vasomotor symptoms due to menopause among women in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Nordic Europe: a cross-sectional survey. Menopause 2023;30(12):1179-1189.