The impact on our professional lives is rarely discussed .

I feel the only reproductive health issue considered for special provision in medical workplaces remains pregnancy — perhaps because it is more visible . It is

hard to conceal vomiting your way

through the first three months ,

turning up barefoot because you

can ’ t get your work shoes on your

swollen feet , or being unable to

reach the examination couch to do a

speculum examination .

But it is worth remembering

Dr Heather McNamee Cairns-based GP who specialises in reproductive and sexual health .

PICTURE CREDIT

the findings of Dr Binks ’ survey . Some 65 % of the female anaesthetists who took part said menopause affected their ability to work , with a quarter saying it was having a “ significant impact ”.

No matter what my long-suffering husband may try to claim , there is no true equivalent to menopause

gathered in Sydney .

in men .

One of the headline topics was

The so-called ‘ andropause ’ is

menopause , a discussion about

experienced by some , but there is no

the impact of menopause — not on

dramatic plummet in gonadal hor-

patients , but on college members .

mones from normal to almost zilch

Dr Andrea Binks ran the work-

experienced universally by women ,

shop following her survey looking

which can lead to devastating physi-

at how these specialists were cop-

cal and mental challenges .

ing with menopausal symptoms ,

I want to make clear that once a

both in terms of their mental and

woman has “ transitioned ” through

physical health .

menopause , the postmenopausal

Here are some of the quotes

years can be some of her healthiest

she collected :

and happiest .

“ Hot flushes and sweats , bad

some ways . We have more control

other medical forums wanting to

rise in the ( male ) medical profes-

But those years of transition can

temper . Yelling — at home , not

over our physical environment —

discuss the topic when it comes to

sion ’ s keen interest in all forms of

remain a real struggle amid the soci-

work .”

such as air-conditioning levels or

female doctors .

female hysteria .

etal and workplace pressures .

“ Exhausted , insomnia , joint

fans on our desks .

We still live in a society where

By the 1930s , people started

As one of the surveyed anaes-

pains , abdominal bloating and

Once fellowed , we should also

both ageism and sexism intertwine

describing it as a deficiency dis-

thetists made clear : “ Females are

cramps , asthma / chest tightness

have greater control over our

to inflict their misery-making

ease , and with that came various

already overlooked professionally ,

and cough , irritable and occasional

appointment book and the times

effect .

“ replenishment therapies ” ranging

so I certainly would not be admit-

anxiety .”

when we can take a break .

Is this why menopause and its

from testicular juice to the crushed

ting to any vulnerabilities .”

“ Inability to concentrate all

Anaesthetists on the other hand

impact on female doctors ’ ability

ovaries of animals .

I ’ ll end by inviting you to take part

day . Back pain . Standing all day

have to sit for hours in freezing cold

to function ( both at work and at

Clearly , even then the concept of

in that familiar , slightly provocative

in a freezing operating theatre .

evidence-based medicine was still

thought experiment .

Decreased tolerance of surgeons ’ inappropriate banter .” No news to any of you , I ’ m sure . These experiences are far from unique in the medical profession — they have been around for a long

We still live in a society where both ageism and sexism intertwine to inflict their misery-making effect .

a thought too far . While the clinical approaches changed and menopausal hormone therapy became widespread in the West through the sales of Premarin , the silence has continued , even in

What if it was a world where men went through the menopause ?

Would we see provisions to recognise the significant impact it has , and to make their working life more tolerable ?

time , since the very first days when

the medical profession where you

Would there be more flexible work

women broke through medicine ’ s

or boiling hot theatres , and have

home ) is a taboo subject ?

would expect it least .

schedules , including a recognition

gender prohibitions .

the added stress of having to deal

Menopause and its treatment

Even when I managed a 12-

that the insomnia often experienced

However , the impact these expe-

with that “ inappropriate surgical

have a fairly desultory history .

doctor , all-female GP practice , it

makes some less suited to gruelling

riences have on the professional

banter ”.

The term itself was first coined

was not once raised by the older

on-call rosters ?

lives of older female doctors is still

Despite attending regular wom-

by a French physician in 1821 , with

doctors .

Let me know the results .

too rarely discussed . Most of us

en ’ s health conferences , where

medical interest in menopause

Mind you , nor was period pain

choose to shut up . Female GPs are fortunate in

menopause updates are often a core topic , I have never heard of any

increasing considerably in the mid- 19th century , presumably with the

made an issue by the younger doctors .

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