Keeping your edge through menopause

Perimenopause and menopause do not stop at the office door. Changes in sleep, energy, concentration and mood can follow women into the workplace, sometimes affecting how they navigate meetings, presentations, deadlines and the demands of a busy career. For Gail Abrahams, a corporate communications executive and author, one of her more unsettling experiences with perimenopause came when she began losing her train of thought during presentations and meetings. She wondered whether she was “losing [her] edge”. Abrahams shared her experience at WeCAN Presents: ‘Becoming a Better You: Real Talk on Perimenopause, Menopause & PCOS’, hosted by Red Stripe in August as part of its efforts to create space for open conversations around issues affecting women personally and professionally.

Her experience has taught her the importance of understanding the changes taking place and finding practical ways to manage them while maintaining confidence in her abilities.

“Even though you’re having difficult days, it does not diminish who you are, your professional capabilities and your identity,” she said.

Abrahams is the author of Heels, Hustle and Heart: Claiming Your Seat Without Losing Yourself, which examines the realities of pursuing professional success while maintaining a sense of identity and balance.

Her experience also underscored the importance of understanding the changes taking place in the body. While perimenopause, menopause and PCOS –officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)– can share some symptoms, they represent different stages or conditions and can affect women differently.

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when hormonal fluctuations can cause changes to a woman’s menstrual cycle, as well as symptoms including hot flushes, disrupted sleep, fatigue, mood changes and brain fog.

Menopause is reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Symptoms associated with the transition can continue after menopause and may vary considerably from woman to woman.

PMOS, or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, is the new name for the condition formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. It is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can cause irregular periods and problems with ovulation. Some symptoms, particularly menstrual changes, can overlap with those experienced during perimenopause, making medical guidance important when women notice changes in their bodies.

For Abrahams, recognising what she was experiencing helped her become more deliberate about how she managed her working day.

WORK WITH YOUR ENERGY

As Abrahams began to better understand what her body was experiencing, she adjusted the way she approached her working day and became more deliberate about managing her energy.

She has found that her energy and concentration are strongest in the morning. She communicates this to colleagues and, where possible, schedules important meetings and demanding tasks earlier in the day.

She also recommends prioritising important tasks, pacing work and taking short breaks throughout the day when needed.

“Ten-minute, 15-minute breaks can do wonders,” she added. Understanding her own patterns has helped Abrahams make practical adjustments that support her through a demanding professional schedule.

Brain fog and forgetfulness can be particularly unsettling for women accustomed to managing demanding workloads and keeping track of multiple responsibilities.

Abrahams has created systems that help her stay organised. She keeps a notebook close by and uses calendars, reminders and alarms to keep track of tasks and commitments.

“Don’t be embarrassed to use them,” she advised.

These simple tools have become part of how she manages her working day and stays on top of competing demands.

SPEAK UP, WHEN YOU’RE COMFORTABLE

Women may not always feel comfortable discussing perimenopause or menopause in the workplace, and the decision about how much to share is personal. Abrahams encourages women who feel comfortable doing so to communicate what they are experiencing and ask for practical support where needed.

“Don’t keep things bottled and suffer in silence,” she said. “If you pay attention to your body, you’ll understand what is happening to your body, and you can pace yourself.”

She also encouraged women experiencing persistent or changing symptoms to seek medical advice and continue asking questions if their symptoms do not improve.

“Go back. Get another opinion. Keep on asking questions. Because at the end of the day, it is your body,” she said.

For women balancing careers and other responsibilities, understanding the changes associated with perimenopause and menopause can help them make practical adjustments, seek appropriate support and protect their wellbeing.

Abrahams’ experience also offers an important reminder for women navigating these changes while building and sustaining their careers. Years of knowledge, experience and professional ability remain with them through every stage. Your body may be changing, but your value has not.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com