Menopause expert on tour for World Menopause Day

A renowned menopause expert and author will be on a virtual road tour across the UK, Europe and North America next week sharing her experience and knowledge in the run-up to World Menopause Day on Friday 18 October.

Kate Usher, who owns and runs Menopause in Business to help organisations become more menopause-inclusive, says menopause awareness is improving, yet there is still much to be done to help women remain in their chosen careers and not be disadvantaged by a natural phase in life.

Next week Kate, who is also a published author of two books about the menopause, will be a guest speaker at:

Sky – UK

The Natural History Museum in London

Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie - (a Belgian life science research organisation based in Flandars)

Miller Knoll – USA

Charles Stanley – UK

Maples Teesdale – UK

During these talks, Kate will cover many issues around menopause in the workplace and how it affects everyone.

“I will be covering a range of topics including what the menopause is, how our perceptions of this life phase drive our thinking,” Kate said.

“The impact in the workplace and in our homes on both women and men, how to talk about menopause and how to be an active ally.

“If organisations are not supportive or flexible enough around this issue, they risk isolating talented and knowledgeable employees who ultimately might take the decision to leave the organisation.

“This can lead to a very real gap in the talent and experience that successful companies depend on.

“The theme for this year’s World Menopause Month throughout October is around HRT or ‘hormone replacement therapy’ which is just one of many issues all wrapped up in the experience of menopause.

“Supporting women and those experiencing menopause to access medical and psychological support in a timely manner, enables them to take control of their experience more quickly and stay on their chosen career path. There is no down side for women or their employers.”

A DWP policy paper stated earlier this year that one in 10 of our entire UK workforce is menopausal. Of that one in 10 leave work altogether due to a lack of support.

Additionally, a report by Simply Health in 2023, entitled Health and Wellbeing at Work, found 87 per cent of women would like their employers to be more supportive around women’s health. It’s estimated that menopause loses 14milion productivity days in the UK and costs the economy £1.88 billion.

Kate is the author of Your Second Phase: Reclaiming Work and Relationships During and After Menopause, and A Couple’s Guide To Menopause; Navigating The Change Together (co-authored with her husband Neil) which was published in August.

It is believed to be the first book where partners have shared their separate experiences of menopause.

Kate is one of the 25 per cent of women who suffered a terrible period of perimenopause and menopause which inspired her to reframe her consultancy business around this important subject.

Today she regularly speaks about menopause and the importance of normalising it at work.