In 2023 , I completed a yoga for menopause teacher training course and now teach breathwork and yoga workshops – one of which I offered at my workplace .
Through my own personal interest and training as a yoga instructor for menopause , I feel more informed and confident discussing this topic with colleagues and clients alike .
I believe that as occupational therapists we are in an ideal position to promote healthy occupations and lifestyles for menopausal women through tailored , community-based programming and interventions .
Exploring menopause with clients
As an occupational therapist working in adult social care , I began to question how menopause affects my clients ’ occupational performance . While I had engaged in discussions about menopause with colleagues , I realised I had not yet addressed this topic with clients , even though it might be relevant .
Occupational performance , as defined by RCOT , refers to a person ’ s ability to carry out the activities and roles they need or want to do in their daily life . Menopausal symptoms could be significantly impacting some of my clients ’ performance and wellbeing , yet this issue often goes unaddressed .
To explore this further , I sent an email to my team to gather any experiences related to menopause and its impact on our clients . The responses were mixed , although the majority indicated that the impact of menopause had not been given much thought or discussed , which mirrored my own previous experiences .
Woman can feel particularly vulnerable during menopause and their ability to cope may depend on their social and physical environment .
It is essential that as healthcare providers we recognise people ’ s perceptions of menopause and offer support and signpost where appropriate ; including coping strategies that could be creative and dynamic , taking into account the complex issues involved in each person ’ s experience .
The research into symptoms and needs
Studies , such as Hoga et al ( 2015 ), have described the major physical and emotional occupational needs of menopausal women and the direct impact this has on their relationships and overall wellbeing .
In a systematic review , women reported experiencing an average of seven symptoms , with 42 % finding them worse than expected . Many were surprised by symptoms such as , sleep disturbances and cognitive issues and were unsure how long they would last .
A significant proportion of women reported negative effects on their work and relationships , and
OTs supporting menopause
To celebrate World Menopause Day , on Thursday 17 October , RCOT held an EDB Insight session about OTs supporting menopause . Jo Gaffney , an OT and image coach , shared her experiences as an occupational therapy business leader and told us how to ‘ OT ’ our own menopause . While we also welcomed OT Jaqueline Da Costa-Myers , who encouraged us to think about how to offer menopause support for women of colour .
You can read watch the video at https :// bit . ly / 40p3JNy . We ’ ve also created a new menopause resource that includes , for example , info about black women in menopause , queer menopause , and male menopause . And we ’ ve got resources for Scotland , Northern Ireland , and Wales . For a copy Genevieve . Smyth @ rcot . co . uk .
Recent OTnews articles include Laura Finlay , ‘ On a mission for menopause ’, ( August 2023 , pages 50-52 ) and Jacqueline Da Costa-Myers , ‘ Making a difference in the community ’ ( August 2024 , pages 34-35 ).
many felt isolated , with insufficient information or support available to them .
As occupational therapists , we are in a unique position to raise awareness and engage in open discussions about menopause . Through therapeutic relationships , we can identify and address the occupational challenges people face during menopause , and it could be argued that more research in this area is needed .
Greer G ( 1991 ) The change : women , aging and the menopause : New York : Balletine books .
Hoga L , Rodolpho J , Gonçalves B , Quirino B ( 2015 ) Women ’ s experience of menopause : a systematic review of qualitative evidence . JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports , 13 ( 8 ), 250 – 337 . DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.11124 / jbisrir-2015-1948 .
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ( 2019 ) Menopause , diagnosis and management . NICE Guideline [ NG23 ]. Available at www . nice . org . uk / guidance / NG23 [ accessed 4 December 2023 ].
Royal College of Occupational Therapists ( 2021 ) Professional standards for occupational therapy practice , conduct and ethics . Available at https :// bit . ly / 3USnIRh [ accessed 29 October 2024 ].
Words CLAIRE ZAMORA , Occupational Therapist , Occupational Therapy Team , Medway Council claire . zamora @ medway . gov . uk
November 2024 OTnews 45