Five Signs You're Missing the Menopause Memo and Why It Matters!
Well men, it is World Menopause Day and before you start thinking "Well, that's not really about me," you might want to reconsider.
Whether it is your wife, partner, sister, colleague, friend or a woman leading your team, menopause could be affecting someone whose contribution you value. The question is whether you are recognising what is happening or making assumptions that aren't helping anybody.
Pause.
Before you congratulate yourself on being the understanding partner, supportive colleague or switched-on brother, let us see how many of these five menopause signs you have spotted and how many have been hiding in plain sight while you thought you had everything under control!
Sign 1: You think the bedroom temperature is a personal attack. She's opening windows in October while you are reaching for another jumper. Before starting negotiations over the thermostat, remember that hot flushes can be uncomfortable and unpredictable. A little understanding will probably achieve more than another debate about the heating bill.
Sign 2: You mistake exhaustion for a lack of interest. When someone who usually manages everything seems unusually tired, distracted or less enthusiastic about plans, your first thought might be that something is wrong between you. But disrupted sleep, fatigue and other symptoms can make ordinary responsibilities much harder. Sometimes support is more useful than asking why she isn't her usual self.
Sign 3: You assume she's becoming less confident at work. That experienced colleague who has stopped volunteering for additional responsibilities may not have lost her ambition. She could be managing symptoms while worrying about how asking for flexibility might affect her professional reputation. Before questioning her commitment, consider whether the working environment is giving her the support she needs.
Sign 4: You think menopause is just hot flushes and mood swings. There is considerably more to understand, including sleep disturbances, concentration difficulties and, for some women, persistent pain that needs appropriate medical assessment. Not every symptom should automatically be blamed on menopause, which is why listening and encouraging proper healthcare matter.
Sign 5: You believe being supportive means having all the answers. Gentlemen, nobody is expecting you to qualify as a menopause specialist by Monday morning! Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is listen without interrupting, ask what would help and resist the temptation to offer a solution before understanding the problem.
So why should World Menopause Day matter to BrothaTalk?
Menopause does not happen in isolation. It can affect relationships, families, workplace dynamics and the careers and businesses women have spent years building. The financial consequences can be particularly significant when symptoms contribute to reduced working hours, missed promotions or decisions to step away from professional opportunities.
For men who value strong relationships, effective leadership and the success of the women around them, understanding menopause is not about becoming an expert in women's health. It is about recognising when greater awareness, respect and practical support can make a meaningful difference.
Here's our BrothaTalk questions:
Have you ever mistaken a woman's changing health needs for a change in her attitude, ambition or interest?
What could we do differently, at home or at work, to ensure that the women we value are not carrying these challenges without support?
Take the time to read NBWN's latest article, The Menopause Career Penalty: What It Costs Experienced Women and Who Pays Most, to understand why this conversation matters beyond World Menopause Day.
Just in case you forget.
Share this with a brother, friend or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. A little more understanding might save an unnecessary argument, strengthen a relationship or help protect a talented woman's future.
#BrothaTalk #WorldMenopauseDay #MenopauseAwareness #MensHealthAwareness #YouBelongHere
