In partnership with Vichy Laboratories, two successful businesswomen tell AllBright about their experiences of the menopause, and share their advice for other women going through this significant phase of their lives.
How much do you know about the menopause and its symptoms? What impact do you think the menopause might have on your career?
Despite the fact that the menopause will affect around half of Ireland’s population, most of us still don’t have enough information to properly answer these important questions. Recent research from AllBright found that almost all Irish women (95%) surveyed do not believe there is adequate educational information or communities available to support Irish women experiencing the menopause, while 80% of Irish women agree that the menopause is still a taboo subject, or something that people shy away from talking about.
This is especially problematic when we consider that half of the Irish women surveyed said that the symptoms of menopause had an impact on their ability to do their job.
In order to help break down the taboo that surrounds menopause, AllBright joined forces with Vichy Laboratories to run the Let’s Not Pause Ireland Summit, an important step forwards in reframing the conversation around this significant phase of women’s lives. Vichy Laboratories has over 20 years of dedicated scientific research and development into menopause diagnosis and education to help women feel better equipped for and supported in their experience. With Neovadiol, a dedicated skincare range for menopause, Vichy Laboratories has long been a pioneer in this space and continues to be passionately committed to the wider conversation and movement.
As the next step forwards in breaking down the menopause taboo, AllBright speaks with two successful businesswomen about their experiences, in partnership with Vichy Laboratories.
Please tell us about your career so far?
I was a secondary school teacher in London for 28 years, starting in dance (my degree is in Performing Arts) and eventually becoming a pastoral leader. In the mid-2000s I used my sewing skills to start a small side hustle making fabric bags using bright Ankara textiles. I left teaching in 2015 and am now a Fashion Creative, as well as a private sewing tutor. In 2020, I started a podcast called Menopause Whilst Black to share the menopause stories of Black, primarily British, women. We are now two seasons in.
As well as this, I have modeled for Lumen and Specsavers, and recently appeared in Channel 4’s Sex, Myths and the Menopause with Davina McCall. I also dressed Queen Victoria’s Statue in Liverpool for a TV programmed called Statues Redressed, which aired on Sky Arts.
When did you first start having menopausal symptoms, and which symptoms did you experience? How did this make you feel?
My symptoms began in late 2014, when I started experiencing tingly legs and brain fog. I also moved into depression and developed anxiety. I was signed off sick from work in 2014 and again in 2015 with poor mental wellbeing, when hot flushes added to my physical symptoms. I thought I was going mad and that I was completely alone, especially as I didn’t see or hear anyone else who looked like me talking about the menopause at that time.
What action did you take?
I saw a doctor for my anxiety and depression and because I couldn’t work. She offered me antidepressants, even though I had mentioned menopause and hot flushes. She didn’t make the link between menopause and depression, so neither did I. I declined medication but after some research, I saw a herbalist for a few months. In the end, I left my teaching career altogether and put my faith in yoga and mindful meditation, before finally accessing a really good therapist.
What was your skincare regime at the time, and did you make any changes to this when you started the menopause?
I never had much of a consistent skincare routine when I was younger, but I was aware of the benefits of cleansing, toning and moisturising. I’d duck in and out of following a regime closely though. I also never really got into wearing a lot of makeup; I thought people only cleansed to get rid of that!
Thankfully I know much more now. I’d noticed that my skin, which was always sensitive and dry, became even more prone to unexpected rashes and was desperately dry. I didn’t connect it to the menopause at first; I thought it was just me. Now I cleanse and use a more unctuous moisturiser targeted at my menopausal skin, especially at night. I am kinder to my skin now.
Prior to experiencing these symptoms, did you know much about the menopause and what it would involve?
Not a thing. I knew that my periods would stop and I expected the hot flushes. That was it.
How did you navigate your transition in tandem with your work? For example, did you speak to your manager or HR, and how did they react if so? Did your workplace offer any specific support for the menopause? How was this experience for you?
No one even uttered the word menopause at work. I didn’t mention it because I didn’t realise it was contributing to my work issues. My drastic solution was to leave. I couldn’t do my job any longer. It was a horrendous experience as I thought my life was over. I had only ever known teaching. I have only recently made the connection between my own menopause journey and work.
Over 40% of Irish women are ashamed to talk about their experiences of the menopause and wish they had spoken about it sooner. Why do you think this is?
I don’t know about Ireland specifically, but I do know that the patriarchy has never encouraged any women to talk about sexual issues. Our mothers didn’t speak to their mothers, and so on. The menopause was just something you ‘got on with’. I think that women are often only praised for giving to others (our children, or men), looking youthful for as long as possible, and being humble and quiet. Menopause and its links to ageing, which is often seen as a negative for women, stop us from talking to each other. Shame and fear stops us from speaking out. Thankfully that is changing now. It’s slow, but change is definitely coming.
What advice do you have for other women who are experiencing the menopause?
Talk to someone – a friend, a relative, a partner or a work colleague. Then visit your doctor. Never suffer in silence. You are not alone.
Please tell us about your career so far?
I’ve enjoyed a wonderful rainbow career to date; I think I make big changes every six or seven years, so watch this space!
I began my career working in financial PR in London in 1987, having completed a Bachelor of Business Studies at Trinity College in Dublin. Having moved back to Dublin in 1992, I worked in PR for a couple of years. Looking for a new direction and career path, I trained as a chef at the Ballymaloe Cookery School. I then started a small catering business and a family. When things got too hot in the kitchen, I became a stay-at-home mum, enjoying the busy life of a mother of four daughters.
In 2013 I underwent some unusual hormone changes and was very surprised to discover that I might be going through a phase of life known as perimenopause. Having found very little relatable information online, I started a menopause information website called My Second Spring (www.mysecondspring.ie). We now reach over 1 million women around the world each year.
In 2019, I started a silk pillowcase business and was thrilled to win the LEO WIBN Rising Star of the Year Award in December 2020. The business (www.thesilkpillowcase.com) supplies Mulberry Silk Pillowcases to women in menopause, as well as a wider audience. During the pandemic, we also started to stock silk face masks as they’re kinder to skin and help prevent acne.
When did you first start having menopausal symptoms, and which symptoms did you experience? How did this make you feel?
At age 46/47, I started to feel hormone surges that reminded me of pregnancy. I had missing periods, sore boobs and some mood swings, including feeling angry and frustrated. When a pregnancy test revealed that I wasn’t pregnant, I became curious about what was going on with my body.
Some reading and searching led me to conclude that I was going through the menopause. After asking around among friends, I realised that no one knew much about menopause. There was a huge reluctance to talk about it. This felt crazy, so I took action and designed my website to make sure that women could find information about the signs and symptoms. I called it My Second Spring, and found there was such a big difference in women’s reactions to the notion of a second spring rather than the menopause.
What action did you take?
I did online research and used homeopathy to manage my symptoms. I still check my bloods regularly; this revealed a vitamin B12 deficiency, so I take a supplement to boost it, as well as vitamin D and vitamin C. I also had a Dexa scan, which showed that I have osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis.
What was your skincare regime at the time, and did you make any changes to this when you started the menopause?
I became aware that Vichy was the only skincare range that was attuned to the needs of menopausal women’s skincare needs. I began using the Neovadiol range in 2014 and have never looked back.
Prior to experiencing these symptoms, did you know much about the menopause and what it would involve?
I knew very little about the menopause, and assumed it would involve the sudden stopping of my periods. I had no idea that there was such a thing as perimenopause; a time when hormones can fluctuate wildly. I assumed I’d be much older, such as in my late 50s/60s, when I reached menopause. This might be because my mother took HRT and had periods for many years into her 60s.
How did you navigate your transition in tandem with your work? For example, did you speak to your manager or HR, and how did they react if so? Did your workplace offer any specific support for the menopause? How was this experience for you?
I work for myself so this was not an issue. However, I take every opportunity to talk to men and women about menopause to raise awareness and create dialogue, to help normalise the subject. It’s hard to believe it’s such a taboo when it affects 50% of the population.
Over 40% of Irish women are ashamed to talk about their experiences of menopause and wish they had spoken about it sooner. Why do you think this is, and what can be done to break the taboo surrounding menopause?
I don’t think the symptoms of menopause are very well known. Many of us think it’s just a case of some hot flushes and no more periods, whereas the reality is very different. It takes quite some time (often with hindsight) to understand the impact of the menopause.
There are so many seemingly unrelated symptoms like panic attacks, joint pain, skin dryness, tinnitus, low mood, insomnia, fatigue, brain fog and weight gain that can all be caused by hormonal changes, both before and during menopause. It can be very confusing, as every woman has a different menopause and it can take time to put the picture together and understand what’s going on.
The more the detailed symptoms of menopause are discussed by people of all ages, the better. We need to add the subject of menopause to the school curriculum and increase the time spent studying the impact of menopause during medical training.
What advice do you have for other women who are experiencing the menopause?
I would say read widely and learn as much as you can about what’s going on with your body. Don’t suffer in silence and make sure you get help for the most limiting symptoms that you experience. Knowledge and hearing about other women’s experiences can be very empowering.
Look at what’s behind some of the symptoms and see if there are any pointers to changes that need to take place in your life. For example, is your low mood or anger based on frustration about things that you know you need to change in your life? If your job or relationships are causing stress, this could be a time to recalibrate some areas of life and put yourself higher on the to-do list. Many women find menopause is a time of turmoil and change that can ultimately lead to wisdom, strength and reaching their full potential. It can be a case of making some changes, taking up new or forgotten hobbies, or making peace with your life as you’ve chosen to live it.
The first step for women who are suffering is to find help for the limiting symptoms. Once these are dealt with, it can be time for a second spring and some fresh new beginnings.
Discover and shop the Neovadiol skincare range here
If you're looking for more information about the menopause, please visit the HSE website here. Please not this article does not constitute medical advice, always speak to your doctor or GP if you have any concerns or questions.