💼 Menopause at Work: Creating Space for Support and Success part 5 of 6

I remember being in a meeting, trying to concentrate while a hot flush surged through me like a wave of fire. My shirt stuck to my back. My thoughts scattered. And all I could think was, please don’t notice… just keep it together.

But the truth was—I wasn’t holding it together. Not really.

The overwhelming tidal wave of heat that would come out of the blue at work became unbearable and incredibly distracting. And when you’re already exhausted from interrupted sleep, your body aching and mind foggy, it’s easy to feel like you're not showing up the way you used to.

I didn’t feel like I was performing well—not professionally, and definitely not personally.

I used to keep a small battery fan on my desk. Another in my handbag. And yes, I even brought one into meetings. I carried wet wipes with me everywhere - tucked into my bag, my desk drawer, even placed strategically under my clothes to try to stay cool. I did whatever I could to stop the sweat, keep my skin dry, and somehow hold onto a shred of composure.

And yet... I still felt like I was silently falling apart.

It’s something we don’t talk about enough. And yet, it affects so many of us, silently struggling behind laptops, presentations, deadlines, and deadlines.

 

🧠 The Unseen Cost of “Holding It Together”

For many women, menopause shows up right in the middle of our busiest years. Careers in full swing. Families needing attention. Aging parents to care for. And somewhere in all of that, our own wellbeing starts to fray.

You might be dealing with:

• Hot flushes during meetings
• Brain fog in critical conversations
• Anxiety before presentations
• Mood swings that leave you second-guessing yourself
• Exhaustion from poor sleep, night after night

And the result?
Many women reduce their hours, skip promotions, or leave jobs entirely, not because they aren’t capable, but because they feel unsupported.

 

💬 Why We Don’t Talk About It (But Should)

There’s been a welcome wave of conversation in recent years. Prominent women have bravely stepped forward, sharing their stories and shining a spotlight on menopause in the media, healthcare, and corporate spaces. It’s encouraging—and it’s long overdue.

But here’s the truth: there’s still a lot to do.

Despite this growing awareness, many workplaces remain unprepared. Support systems are patchy at best, and stigma still lingers in the air. Many women continue to suffer in silence, worried about being seen as “less capable,” “too emotional,” or “unreliable.”

So, we stay quiet. We push through. We learn to mask our symptoms at the expense of our wellbeing.

But silence doesn’t serve us.

What does? Support. Understanding. And access to real tools.

✨ How Remote and Hybrid Work Has Changed the Landscape

In today’s evolving workplace, remote and hybrid models have opened up new possibilities—but also new challenges—for women going through menopause.

On one hand, working from home allows for:

• Greater environmental control (adjusting temperature, clothing, and pace)
• More flexibility in scheduling rest around symptoms
• Less commute-related stress

But it can also come with:

• Feelings of isolation, especially when navigating emotional changes
• Blurred boundaries between work and home responsibilities
• Increased tech-related stress and screen fatigue

📊 Research Insights

• A recent study showed that 67% of women said flexible or hybrid working made managing menopause easier.
•  Another report found that 1 in 6 women have considered leaving their job due to lack of menopause support at work.
• Nearly half of employees surveyed said they’d be more likely to explore remote or flexible work options due to menopause symptoms.
• These numbers speak clearly: workplace culture and policies must adapt—not only for productivity, but for the wellbeing and retention of women in their most experienced years.

🌿 What Can Help Right Now

You may not be able to control your work environment, but there are ways to bring more calm, clarity, and comfort into your day. Here are some holistic strategies I’ve found (and personally use) to stay grounded at work:

✨ 1. Create a Mini Support Kit

Build a ritual into your workday. Keep a small self-care kit in your bag or desk drawer:

• MUTO Rollerball – Apply to your pulse points when stress or a hot flush hits. The blend of clary sage, geranium, and citrus uplifts and calms.
• Cooling face mist or wipes
• A grounding affirmation card – Something simple like “I am capable, even when things feel hard.”

These tiny rituals anchor you, especially when everything feels out of sync.

👉 Explore the MUTO range here

🔮 2. Book Time for Energy Healing

Sometimes what you’re carrying isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. Energetic. Invisible to others but heavy to you.

A Reiki or energy healing session can help clear emotional build-up, reduce anxiety, and bring you back to centre, so you return to work feeling clear, grounded, and capable.

Sessions can be in-person or remote. Whatever works for you.

👉 Book a session here

💻 3. Advocate for Yourself (One Small Step at a Time)

If you’re comfortable, start with:

• Asking for a fan at your desk or a window seat
• Adjusting your schedule to include short breaks
• Suggesting menopause awareness training at work
• Connecting with other women who get it

Small changes matter. They open the door for bigger conversations and better workplace culture for all of us.

 

💬 What I Wish I Knew Sooner

I wish someone had told me I wasn’t weak. That forgetting a word mid-sentence didn’t mean I was failing. That needing rest didn’t make me less dedicated.

I wish someone had said:

You are still competent. Still valuable. Still powerful.

Even if your body is asking for more care right now.

So, let me be the one to say that to you.

You are still competent. Still valuable. Still powerful.

🌟 You Are Not Alone—and You Don’t Have to Just “Push Through”

If you’re navigating menopause at work, I see you.
If you’re tired, foggy, or unsure how to keep showing up — you’re not failing.
You’re transforming.

And you deserve support that honours both your professional strength and your personal needs.

So whether it’s:

• A rollerball in your handbag
• A moment of energy healing between meetings
• Or a quiet reminder that you’re doing the best you can...

Know this: you are not alone. You are not invisible.

You are allowed to ask for what you need—and receive it.

🛠️ Let’s Make This Season More Supportive

🔹 MUTO by Eazential → – natural support for menopause symptoms during your day
🔹 Energy Healing with Jacinta → – emotional reset & support for confidence
🔹 Read the Full Blog Series → – more tools, stories, and ways to feel more like you

 

Related Articles in this series:

My Menopause Journey & Why I Created This Series for You

“No One Warned Me About This”: A Gentle Conversation About Menopause

“Where Did My Confidence Go?” – Rebuilding Self-Belief During Menopause

Nature Knows Best: How Essential Oils and Energy Healing Can Soothe Menopausal Discomfort

Menopause at Work: Creating Space for Support and Success

Rediscovering Yourself Post-Menopause