Following the introduction of our mental health section within our newsletters, I’m delighted to bring you the next instalment, this time looking at the menopause - following on from World Menopause Day on 18th October. Before you might think, ‘that won’t affect me’ and stop reading – please believe me, it will! I would encourage everyone to take the time to gain a greater understanding on this important subject that will inevitably effect you or someone you know at some point, whether that be family members, friends or colleagues. For a bit of background, the menopause is a natural stage of life which affects most women and other people who have a menstrual cycle. The menopause usually happens between 45 and 55 years of age, the average age being 51 years, but it can also happen earlier or later in someone's life. For many people symptoms last about 4 years, but in some cases can last a lot longer. There are 4 different stages to the menopause: pre-menopause, peri-menopause, menopause and postmenopause. Some of the statistics that were mentioned on World Menopause Day in October were astounding, here are a few that stuck with me which I feel everyone should be aware of: • More than 75% of women and other people who have a menstrual cycle experience menopausal symptoms • 67% of individuals who have experienced menopause said it had a mostly negative impact on them at work • 70% of those experiencing menopause feel uncomfortable discussing this at work • An estimated 14 million working days are lost to menopause each year in the UK (which equates to £1.88 billion in lost productivity) • 1 in 10 of menopausal individuals quit their job due to menopause symptoms (based on a survey of 4,000 women aged 45-55) • 67% of those who have experiences menopausal symptoms (aged 40 to 60 in employment) say they have had a mostly negative effect on them at work. • Many commonly reported symptoms include memory loss, anxiety, loss of confidence, panic attacks, reduced concentration, depression and low moods, amongst many, many more. Reading those statistics, it is clear this is an area which we can no longer ignore; we have got to change the conversation around menopause and start to take positive action to support those going through any stage of the menopause. Beyond the physical changes that are often discussed, the menopause transition clearly also significantly influences mental health. It's not just about hot flashes and night sweats; the hormonal shifts during menopause can create a complex interplay of emotions as demonstrated by the statistics outlined above. The menopausal transition is not a onesize-fits-all experience, and the impact on mental health varies from person to person. For some, the challenges may be fleeting, while for others, they may persist for an extended period. Seeking support from healthcare professionals, friends, or support groups can provide a crucial lifeline during this time. I believe Mental Health Matters 08 WINTER MORTGAGE NEWSLETTER Riona Mulherin Director of Marketing & Operations Paradigm
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