What is menopause and how can Hey Girls help?
Menopause gets talked about more than ever. But a lot of people still aren't sure what it actually is, when it starts, or why their periods might be changing years before it arrives.
So let's talk about it plainly.
What is the menopause?
Menopause is when you've gone 12 months without having a period. It can happen naturally as part of ageing, or it can be brought on by medical treatment, surgery or certain medications.
What is perimenopause?
Before reaching natural menopause, there's a stage called perimenopause. It can last for several years, sometimes up to 10.
During perimenopause, your body goes through hormonal changes. Often, the first thing you notice is your periods. They might get lighter or heavier, come more or less often, or change in length. Some months they might not show up at all, then arrive with little warning.
When menopause starts suddenly
Menopause can also be brought on by medical treatment, for example certain medications used to treat conditions such as endometriosis, or as part of cancer treatment. Surgery to remove the ovaries can also bring on menopause.
When this happens, symptoms can begin suddenly rather than building up gradually over time. The experience is different for everyone, depending on the treatment and individual circumstances.
What are the common symptoms?
Alongside changes to your periods, you might experience:
- hot flushes and night sweats
- mood swings and anxiety
- difficulty sleeping
- brain fog
Not everyone gets every symptom, and some come and go. No two experiences are the same. There are many other changes that women experience, these are just some of the most common. The NHS website has more information.
Can you still get pregnant during perimenopause?
Yes. Your ovaries may still release eggs occasionally, so it's still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause. If you don't want to get pregnant, speak to your GP or a pharmacist about contraception.
When to speak to a GP
Very heavy periods, bleeding between periods or periods that have changed a lot are worth raising with a GP. It is also a good idea to see your GP if you are feeling low or your symptoms just feel “too much”.
They can check what's going on and talk through the support and treatment available.
Why it matters at work
Most menopause support at work starts when periods stop. But for many people, the hardest part comes before that: heavier, less predictable bleeding during the working day, on site, on shift or in back-to-back meetings.
And change is coming. Equality action plans are expected to become mandatory for employers with 250+ staff from spring 2027, subject to final regulations. Each plan will need at least one action supporting employees through menopause, and that includes perimenopause.
How Hey Girls can help
At Hey Girls CIC, we want to help break down the stigma around these changes, raise awareness, and make sure women and people who experience periods feel informed, supported and confident to talk about their experiences.
Here's how we can help your workplace:
- Period products where people need them. Award-winning products for office bathrooms, site cabins and staff rooms, including heavier flow options, period pants and bladder control products.
- HomePacks. You set the budget and your team orders what they need, delivered discreetly to their door.
- Training for your team. Partner training sessions on periods and menopause, plus our Train the Trainer programme so your own teams can keep the conversation going.
- Impact you can report on. As a social enterprise, 100% of our profits go into tackling period poverty in the UK.
Get the free employer guide
Our guide, Menopause in the workplace: Periods & perimenopause, covers the five unspoken truths about perimenopause at work, a practical checklist of what good support looks like, and the words to use with your team.
FAQs
What's the difference between menopause and perimenopause? Menopause is the point when you've gone 12 months without a period. Perimenopause is the stage before it, when hormones change and periods often change first.
How long does perimenopause last?
It can last several years, sometimes up to 10.
Can periods get heavier during perimenopause? Yes. Periods can get heavier, lighter, longer or less predictable. Very heavy or significantly changed periods are worth raising with a GP.
How can employers support staff through perimenopause? Start with the basics: period products in every toilet, including heavier flow options, managers who can talk about bleeding, and a menopause policy that names it.
Our free guide has a full checklist.
Also read ‘ Why is bleeding left out of the workplace conversations’?
