7 Things women wish they’d known about menopause
From common symptoms to widespread misconceptions about menopause and work, here are seven things women wish they’d known about menopause, shared by real women from the MenoMinds workshops.
Going through menopause or perimenopause at work can feel isolating. This is even though 13 million women in the UK are peri- or menopausal, and nearly 8 in 10 of them are still working. Even knowing others are navigating the same transition, the experience can still feel deeply personal.
For many women, the reality doesn’t match what they expected. Symptoms can show up in ways that are confusing, unpredictable, and often difficult to explain, especially in a professional environment where these conversations are still not the norm.
There’s also a gap between what we think we know about menopause and what it actually feels like to go through it. Misconceptions, lack of awareness, and silence around the topic can leave women second-guessing themselves or dismissing symptoms altogether.
When women come together in safe spaces and speak openly, that’s when the missing puzzle pieces come together, and a different picture emerges, one of connection, validation, and practical ways to cope.
The seven insights we share in this article are eye-opening and reassuring. Here are things women told us they wish they’d known about menopause sooner.
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1.“I didn’t realise anxiety could be menopause-related.”
For many women, one of the biggest surprises that comes with perimenopause and menopause is the impact it has on their mental health. Many women turn up to our courses because they are experiencing anxiety, low mood, and sudden feelings of overwhelm.
Without awareness of the hormonal link, it’s easy to assume these changes are purely situational or personal. Understanding that anxiety can be menopause-related helps remove self-blame and opens the door to more targeted support.
During perimenopause and menopause, levels of oestrogen and progesterone don’t just decline, they fluctuate unpredictably. Oestrogen plays a role in regulating serotonin and dopamine, which help stabilise mood. When levels drop or swing, it can lead to anxiety, low mood and more. Progesterone, which has a naturally calming effect, also decreases.
Evidence-based techniques like mindfulness, journalling, and controlled breathing can help regulate stress and ease racing thoughts. Simple, realistic approaches, no jargon, fit into daily life and support emotional balance. You can learn more evidence-based techniques in our free workshops.
2. “I didn’t know it could affect my work this much.”
Menopause doesn’t stay at home when the workday begins. It can show up in concentration lapses, memory challenges, fatigue, and increased stress sensitivity.
For many women, this can be particularly difficult in fast-paced or high-pressure environments. Recognising the connection between symptoms and performance can be a turning point in finding ways to adapt, rather than pushing through in silence.
Perimenopause and menopause don’t signify an ending in work, but they do require you to think, plan, and work differently than you once did, and that’s ok and it is manageable. Adjusting daily schedules, building micro-recovery moments, and setting gentle boundaries at work can help maintain focus and prevent burnout. Small tweaks to routines make a big difference over time. We’re here to support you through this transition, and we share tried and tested ways to manage menopause at work in our workshops.
3. “I thought menopause happened much later.”
There’s still a widespread misconception about when menopause begins. Many women are caught off guard in their 40s or even earlier. Every woman’s experience is different, and perimenopause shouldn’t be pigeonholed into a single category or age range.
Symptoms can go unrecognised or be attributed to things like work and family stress, illness, burnout, or mental health challenges. That’s why early awareness is so important; it helps women feel more prepared, more confident, and less blindsided by the experience.
Familiarising yourself with trusted resources, like NHS guidance, menopause charities, and expert reading, empowers women to anticipate changes and plan support strategies. By joining a MenoMinds workshop, you’ll learn from industry specialists and connect with other women navigating perimenopause and menopause. It’s a safe space to learn, connect, and feel supported.
4. “I thought it meant I was losing my confidence.”
Changes in mood, energy, and cognitive function can feel like a loss of self. Women often describe feeling less sharp, less capable, low on energy, and experiencing an unusual dip in confidence. This can lead them to question their careers, decisions, thoughts, feelings, intuition, and more.
When you can’t pinpoint why you feel the way you do, it can be unsettling, raising concerns and impacting you mentally, physically, and emotionally. However, a loss of confidence isn’t permanent; it’s simply a shift and a new approach to navigating life and work. With the right support and understanding, confidence can be rebuilt, often in a more grounded and self-aware way.
Practices like self-compassion exercises, positive affirmations, and reflection can restore confidence and support emotional resilience. We have some guided mediations you can use for free on our Resources page.
5. “I didn’t realise how much my environment and habits mattered.”
Some of us may have heard the saying, “we are a product of our surroundings,” but very few of us truly acknowledge the long-term impact until it’s too late. Daily habits and environments can significantly influence how symptoms are experienced. Workplace stress, poor ergonomics, constant notifications, and lack of downtime can all amplify the effects.
Small adjustments, like reducing screen stimulation, improving work setups, tracking moods, or building in moments of rest, can help women feel more in control of their day-to-day experience. Not forgetting realistic expectations, self-compassion, and microlifts of joy.
6. “I didn’t realise this could be a turning point.”
When you realise you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause, that doesn’t mean it’s the end. In fact, menopause can mark an important moment of reflection and change. After attending our workshop, many women begin to reassess their priorities, set clear boundaries and think differently about how they want their life and work to look.
Rather than something to “get through,” it can become a period of growth, one that encourages greater self-awareness and intentional decision-making. Incorporating mindfulness, micro-recovery moments, or “flow” activities into daily life supports wellbeing while navigating this transitional phase.
7. “I didn’t know I could ask for support at work.”
Support is possible from managers, colleagues, or HR. Even if you work for yourself, knowing where to turn, what to ask for, and how to create your own supportive routines can transform your work experience.
Many women struggle on without speaking up, unsure of what adjustments are possible or how they’ll be perceived. But even small changes, flexibility, boundary-setting, micro-recovery moments, or simply building awareness can make a meaningful difference. For self-employed women, this might mean restructuring your schedule, outsourcing tasks, or creating your own work-life boundaries.
Creating space for these conversations and adjustments benefits not just individuals but also workplace culture as a whole, fostering understanding and support across teams.
If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause at work, we’re here to help.
Feel in control of your menopause journey, start today
If any of these insights resonate with you, you don’t have to navigate menopause alone. Our MenoMinds workshops provide a safe, supportive space to learn about the biological and psychological changes of menopause, discover practical tools to manage symptoms, and explore strategies for work and life that really work.
Join a free CPD-accredited workshop and connect with other women experiencing the same transitions. Gain clarity, confidence, and actionable steps to feel more in control of your mental health, energy, and daily routines. Sign up today and take the first step.
Important Note:
We are not clinicians and cannot diagnose depression or other mental health conditions. If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, or you feel like you can’t keep yourself safe, seek urgent help. Contact NHS urgent services, your GP, or a crisis service such as SHOUT (text 85258 in the UK). If you’re in immediate danger, call 999.
