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World Menopause Day - Wednesday, 18 October

04 Oct 2023

Sign up for menopause wellbeing events this October

Menopause Awareness Day article

October marks Menopause Awareness Month, including World Menopause Day Wednesday 18th October. The purpose of Menopause Awareness Month is to dedicate time to better understand the menopause agenda. Of course, it is not only during October that we should be learning more about the menopause, but it presents an excellent opportunity to get the conversation going across the university, raising awareness about how we can better support colleagues who are going through this experience. 

All individuals are encouraged to engage in this global awareness raising campaign, including people directly impacted by the menopause and people who are connected with a person experiencing the menopause. The menopause conversation continues to gain momentum and it is essential to be talking about the menopause and the impacts in the workplace.

The theme for World Menopause Day is the impact of the menopause and cardiovascular health. Hormonal changes associated with menopause can have wide-ranging impacts on cardiovascular health. 

Oestrogen is a hormone naturally produced in a woman’s body which forms a vital part of regulating her menstrual cycle. It can offer some protection against coronary artery disease therefore reducing the risk of a heart attack. It helps to control your cholesterol levels and so reduces the risk of fatty plaques building up inside the artery walls. 

As we get older the blood vessels can become stiffer, caused by high blood pressure. This is a risk factor associated with heart attacks and stroke.

During and after the menopause, a woman’s body gradually produces less oestrogen than it used to. This increases the risk of the coronary arteries narrowing whereas it previously protected the lining of the artery walls reducing the build-up of plaque. This increases your risk of developing coronary heart disease, or a circulatory condition such as stroke. (Menopause and heart and circulatory conditions - BHF’)

Support for the menopause

Our University has a Menopause support group and a dedicated webpage area that includes information on menopause support and advice. 

If you are experiencing menopause symptoms, we encourage you to have a conversation with your line manager to discuss how they are impacting you and what would help to support you in the workplace. 

University Events

Creative Writing in Menopause Workshop

Research has shown that the physical act of writing creates ‘a pathway to memories, feelings and thoughts’, and that creativity enables us to ‘explore, clarify and make connections with the present.’ This opportunity to reflect and discover can be especially useful during times of transition, such as menopause.

The Wellbeing Team would like to invite colleagues to take part in a Creative Writing in Menopause Workshop, facilitated by poet Rebecca Hurst, from the School of Arts, Languages and Culture as part of their Creative Manchester work. 

Space is limited to 15 places and you will be able to commit to one or both sessions if you wish (please make sure to register for both sessions separately). The first session will be aimed at supporting you in getting started with a creative writing for wellbeing practice; whilst the second will be an exploration of poetry. No creative writing or poetry writing experience is needed to take part in this workshop. This session is open to all individuals with an experience of menopause.

Both sessions are 12.30pm until 2pm, in-person, location to be confirmed:

Creative Menopause: World Menopause Day 2023, Wednesday, 18 October, Hosted by The Whitworth

Get creative about your menopause journey with a range of drop-in activities including; collage, mindful art, drawing and Zumba. The workshops will be drop-in from 11-1pm in the morning and 2-4pm in the afternoon.

The World Menopause Day Creative Menopause event is part of the Age Friendly Whitworth Programme, Creative Menopause. For more information contact clare.cowell@manchester.ac.uk

External advice and events