Norfolk Menopause is a team of five highly respected doctors who have training and a specific interest in the menopause, — three GPs and two gynaecologists, specialist surgeons in women’s health, who all work within the NHS, as well as offering private consultations, either at their clinical rooms in Norwich or via by video call. The service provides safe, evidence-based care, in a relaxed setting, allowing ample time to get a full understanding of the individual’s needs, and they work to collaboratively to find the best solution, especially where there is a complexity of the health concerns. Advice is given to both the individual and their GP, to support the on-going management of their health.
The clinicians at Norfolk Menopause, provide skilled, research-based care. Their aim is to achieve satisfactory symptom control by advising on appropriate treatment, including hormonal, surgical, psychological or complimentary therapies, that is bespoke and tailored to the individual. As menopause can be a complex health concern, treatment that works for one person may not be suitable or meet the needs for someone else, as everyone is unique and will have different symptoms and outcome expectations.
Menopause has been a much-publicised subject in recent years, however there are still many misconceptions about this multi-faceted concern. Many believe symptoms only begin once periods have stopped and that it only affects women in their 50s. In fact, menopause is simply the point in time 12 months after a woman has her last period. This is known as the ‘perimenopause’ – the time of hormonal fluctuation before menstruation (periods) stops, and it is during this time that the symptoms are often most troublesome. This stage can last for up to a decade and can begin in a woman’s late thirties or early forties. We have oestrogen receptors all over our bodies, including many in the brain. This is why the hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause can cause a myriad symptoms, both physical and psychological. Although some women breeze through perimenopause, for others it can have an enormous impact on their lives, with additional pressures on relationships and careers. However, these symptoms do not have to disrupt your home and work life.
Unity will be working with Norfolk Menopause to not only signpost women and employers to this private service to look at a more personalised treatment approach for women to improve their wellbeing, but also, we will be working with them on providing education and training specifically for organisations on the topic of the menopause.
In Occupational Health we often see the devastating effect that menopause can have on women, their personal lives and their careers, and the impact this can also have on organisations. Menopause typically occurs when women are at the peak of their working lives, yet it is not unusual for women to take time out of work or even resign due to the impact of symptoms. Brain fog, anxiety and insomnia are typically the most debilitating symptoms for women at this time. The combination of good medical management and the right support at work can make an enormous difference and allow women to continue in their careers and flourish in the workplace.
Norfolk Menopause provides a range of different interventions to support women on this journey and can collaborate with employers to educate and assist in helping staff through their menopause, offering tailored training sessions to assist organisations to support their female workers, and inform their male workers, through providing information, support, and practical strategies to navigate the physical, emotional, and psychological changes for women that often accompany the menopause and how organisations can help.
Some examples of the training that they can provide are as follows:
More information can be found at www.norfolkmenopause.co.uk
Or contact the Unity office for further details on 01603 250015 or email to: mail@unityoccupationalhealth.com
