How do I start talking about menopause?

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Around 13 million people are currently menopausal in the UK ¹, yet it’s still a taboo subject.

Talking to
your gp

If you have concerns about any symptoms linked with perimenopause and menopause, the best thing to do is book an appointment with your GP. You might find certain things difficult or embarrassing to discuss, but your GP is there to help you, and the more information you can give, the better they can treat you.

Talking to your family or friends

When explaining menopause to your family or friends, it’s important for your loved ones to know how you’re feeling so that they can support you. Some of us find it very easy to talk about personal topics, but some of us simply aren’t used to communicating in that way.

If you’re struggling to share how you’re feeling, you could start by mentioning your symptoms and then leading onto the fact that they could be perimenopause- or menopause-related, for example:

You know I’ve been getting scatty lately, leaving my phone at home…

These quotes draw on insights from research and the experiences of individuals.
These are images of fictional patients.

Menopause in the workplace

A survey by the British Menopause Society found that 45% of women felt that menopausal symptoms had a negative impact on their work (n=1000).³ In Ireland, the annual Menopause Hub survey found that 84% of women said their work performance was negatively impacted by menopause symptoms (n=3000).⁴

If you feel this way, you have the right to ask for reasonable adjustments under the UK Equality Act of 2010.⁵ This might mean having a fan on your desk, flexible working hours, or tech assistance to help keep track of your to-do list when brain fog strikes.

References

Menopause support. Available at: https://menopausesupport.co.uk/?page_id=60. Last accessed October 2025.
The Menopause Hub. Survey results – what women want in menopause. Available at: https://www.themenopausehub.ie/menopause-blog/2020/12/7/survey-results-what-women-want-in-menopause-1 Accessed October 2025.
NHS Inform. Menopause and the workplace. Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/menopause-and-the-workplace Accessed October 2025.
The Menopause Hub. Annual Menopause Survey Results 2023. Available at: https://www.themenopausehub.ie/menopause-blog/2023/11/7/annual-menopause-survey-results-2023-what-women-want Accessed October 2025.
Legislation.gov.uk. Equality Act 2010. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/data.pdf Accessed October 2025.