”The M-Word”. Series 3, Episode 4. Sophy Norris in conversation with Fiona Prior-Palmer, Menopause Nurse Advisor

Series 3 of The Dangerous Women Collective Podcast is magnificently sponsored by ESET, providing Next-Gen Digital Security for home and Business. We heartily thank you.

In this Episode, Sophy Norris discusses all things menopause with specialist advisor Fiona Prior-Palmer.

Fiona is a specialist community health nurse and has completed her menopause care professional certificate with the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. She also runs a private menopause clinic called Second Spring, as well as working at The Royal Devon University Trust for Occupational Health, where she is the Trust’s Menopause Nurse Advisor for NHS staff.

Since we first started recording this podcast, the “M-word” has raised its head on more than one occasion. We see “women of a certain age” managing a fundamental shift in their well-being as they enter some of the most experienced and powerful years of their careers.

But, just as many of us are stepping into our stride, we are beset by anxiety, brain fog, shifting sleep patterns – let alone the medical symptoms from night sweats to urinary tract infections. And believe us, after listening to this Episode, you will come to realise this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Men, or at least most men, as much as they try, cannot really understand what menopause is all about, and it just isn’t on the radar of younger colleagues, whatever their gender.

So, in this Episode, we tackle some of the concerns and myths about menopause, and ask "is it time for an M-word revolution?" in the workplace.

We discuss:

• The education gap, and why women (and men) need to empower themselves with knowledge
• Normalising the menopause (much the same as puberty and pregnancy) by talking about it more, informing ourselves more, and learning more
• It is still possible to be dangerous and be menopausal
• Workplaces can do more to support menopausal women. Does your workplace have a menopause policy? Has it taken the workplace menopause pledge?
• Being aware of our symptoms and what our bodies and minds need
• Managing symptoms holistically
• Women are their own worst critics. We need to be kind to ourselves
• Everyone can be curious, all genders and all ages, when it comes to menopause

Links:

LinkedIn: Sophy Norris

Fiona Prior-Palmer

Second Spring

The Alligator Pi Agency

Sponsor:

ESET

Other items mentioned in this Episode:

Menopause Support

Menopause at Work Pledge