When I used to think of Davina McCall, I’d conjure up an image of an over-enthusiastic MTV VJ (Video Jockey for the youngsters among us) or an excitable host of Big Brother. Now I associate the menopause with her for several reasons – mainly for speaking out about it and removing the stigma. But, also, how does she manage to look that good? Where is her menopausal spare tyre and hairy chin?!

Davina has covered such a lot in her programmes and book about the symptoms, HRT and (a little unhelpfully as it’s like gold dust to get hold of) testosterone treatment. What she hasn’t covered in detail is working while going through the menopause, or more appropriately for us, my friends, how to be a manager while menopausal.

Management in primary care is challenging enough without the addition of adult puberty. Mood swings, brain fog, and memory problems all impact on our work and how we manage it. I used to be as sharp as a button at remembering things but now if I don’t write it down then it’s gone in a puff of magic à la Paul Daniels. I joke about my menopausal memory at work and my team are brilliant at sending me emails or messages because they know my memory is like that of a goldfish, but equally, it’s really flipping frustrating for me. I’ve now got a notebook in which I write down key points – things like how much we can claim for a coil fit, the value of a QOF point this year, my children’s names… (I’m joking; I can just about retain that information!).

Hand in glove with the memory issues is the Flipping ’Orrible Guff AKA fog. Not exclusive to work, this powerful phenomenon is akin to a tornado that whirls in to cloud the vision, remove trains of thought and, at times, demolish rational thinking. Working in a fast-paced environment such as general practice, using a moment to contemplate and gather a response is a useful way of managing the descending grey cloud. Don’t be afraid to say “let me consider this for a moment” or words to that effect to allow yourself some time and clarity. And if you’re going to get back to someone with an answer, make sure you write it down! Practice Index even gave out a fabulous PM to-do list notebook at events which is perfect for all managers, not just us menopausal ones!

According to the Wellbeing of Women Survey 2016, one in four women consider leaving their job because of menopausal symptoms. That’s a scary number, but think of that wealth of general practice management knowledge leaving the building. What we need to be doing is ensuring we incorporate menopause into our practice’s inclusivity culture. Davina has made it no longer taboo to talk about it. How far we want to take that openness is down to the individual; I have brain fog, memory issues, emotional moments, but I don’t need to share other symptoms which would make for a ‘dry’ conversation… If you’re in a meeting and having a hot flush, ask to be excused and go and cool down; try not to sit and suffer (from experience, if you’re having a flush, it’s hard to concentrate on what’s being said anyway).

Being a menopausal manager isn’t easy. There are no hard and fast solutions. Devising workarounds to manage the symptoms you have will hold you in good stead and if you feel able, be honest with your team. It tends to be a predominantly female workforce in our sector so the chances are someone is going through or has already gone through the menopause and will know exactly what you’re experiencing.

As for me, this blog has taken a couple of goes as I’ve lost my train of thought several times. I’ve also written down things I want to remember for work tomorrow. And I’m now off to remove some of those pesky spiky things which keep sprouting from my chin.

(The views expressed in this blog are my own and not representative of any organisation in which I work.)

Useful resources

Menopause and the workplace policy [PLUS]
Understanding Menopause in the Workplace – Part of the Learning Package
Menopause Essentials for Managers – Part of Practice Index Training
Menopause Awareness – Part of Practice Index Training