5 Top Tips to Manage Menopause Symptoms at Work 

Menopause is a lot like menstrual pain — all women experience it, but that doesn’t mean there are a lot of accommodations in place. 

In fact, the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that some women must reduce their hours or leave the workforce altogether because of their menopausal symptoms. 

During Menopause Awareness Month this October, we want to spotlight this under-discussed issue. We have tips to help make your workplace a better space for you — and for other women going through menopause. 

We can also help in another way. Here at Prestige Healthcare OBGYN in Atlanta, Georgia, Charis Trench-Simmons, MD, and Lorenza Simmons, MD, offer hormone replacement therapy to offset the unwelcome symptoms that come with this season of transition. 

1. Talk with your employer

If your menopause symptoms make it harder to work and you feel safe doing so, talk with your employer. Menopause is a natural physiological process — you won’t be the last female employee going through it. 

You can help them set up support to make the work you and other women do more manageable during menopause. 

To help you start the conversation, the Society for Women’s Health Research has a list of suggestions based on the kind of work you do, as does the Menopause Society. 

2. Be strategic with what you wear

Hot flashes are one of the most bothersome parts of menopause, especially when they strike while you’re at work. To give yourself the ability to cool down, wear layers to work; as you get warmer, you have a way to enjoy some relief. 

If you wear a uniform, talk with your employer about any modifications they allow to help you stay cooler. 

3. Support your focus and memory

Menopause can cause brain fog, memory difficulties, and other cognitive issues. If you feel like your brain isn’t working like it used to, you can probably thank your changing hormone levels.

That can make work more challenging. Put supports in place so things don’t slip through the cracks. Write down all of your meetings on your calendar rather than relying on memory, for example. Keep a to-do list so you know what needs your attention. 

4. Put a fan at your desk or workstation

If you work from a fixed location, such as a desk, adding a small tabletop fan can help you get easier relief from hot flashes.

If you’re limited in your access to power at your desk, options exist that plug into a computer’s USB port rather than an outlet. You can also explore battery- or solar-powered options. 

If you’re on your feet at work, a hand-held fan or one you wear around your neck can help you stay cooler. 

5. Pursue treatment

If your menopausal symptoms make work or any other parts of your life notably more difficult, talk with our team. Dr. Simmons and Dr. Trench-Simmons specialize in helping women feel better during this transition period.

With hormone replacement therapy, we can supplement the hormones your body’s no longer making naturally. That should dramatically improve your symptoms, including hot flashes and brain fog. 

If you’re ready to explore hormone replacement therapy, call our office or book an appointment online today.