Key Takeaways: PCOS is a very common hormone imbalance disorder affecting that assigned female-at-birth of reproductive age. PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, issues with ovulation, increased levels of androgens, excess hair growth, skin issues and weight issues. The main treatment for PCOS is symptom management and may depend on whether or not someone is trying to actively become pregnant. Being diagnosed with PCOS does not necessarily mean…
Author: Zoya Ali
14 Posts
Why should you test your hormones?
Read moreFirst, let’s get back to basics… What even are hormones? Put simply, hormones are small chemical messengers that travel through the blood to different parts of your body. They help control many different functions from growth and development to metabolism (how your body gets energy from the food you eat), menstrual cycles, fertility and mood, just to name a few! Hormones are made by special cells in a network of…
How to support employees going through fertility treatment in the workplace?
Read moreStill, a hushed and taboo topic – almost 1 in every 6 couples have fertility issues in the UK-that’s about 3.5 million. The global infertility rate is increasing as people choose to have children later in their lives, with the average age to have a first child now 30.7 years in the UK. This means that fertility treatment is becoming more and more common. Infertility and the fertility treatment journey…
How can period pain impact your employees?
Read moreA 2019 BMJ study found that up to 14% of women took time off work during their menstrual periods due to symptoms such as heavy bleeding and period pain, with 3.4% reporting absenteeism almost every monthly menstrual cycle. Furthermore, over 80% found themselves less productive due to their period symptoms for 23.2 days a year on average. Unfortunately, period pain is incredibly common. Many might manage it with home remedies…
Why should reproductive health be a part of your mental health benefits?
Read moreCOVID-19 and the shift to remote working has catalysed the demand for mental health benefits – it is now a “must have” for employers in 2021. In fact, in a recent survey, 91% of respondents stated that a company’s culture should support mental health. It is no coincidence that mental well-being is included in how reproductive health is defined by the World Health Organisation, stating that “Reproductive health is a…
How to support LGBTQ+ employees
Read moreDeciding to start a family is never an easy process, but for some employees who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, their journey to parenthood might need some more support. Being a 21st-century employer means establishing an inclusive, progressive and supportive work environment to attract and retain employees. A 2017 study by Mercer found that 33% of UK respondents do not offer equal benefits to LGBTQ+ employees because they…
Menopause 101: The Signs, Symptoms and Treatments
Read moreKey takeaways: Menopause is confirmed after someone experiences no periods after 12 months in people who are over 45 years old and not using hormonal contraception. Menopause is a natural phenomenon; however, it can also occur as a result of surgical removal or damage to the ovaries. The average age of menopause is between 45 and 55, but a small number of people may experience it before this age. If…
Testosterone 101: Understanding Your Testosterone Levels
Read moreIt’s become a common misconception, that when it comes to sex hormones, those born female are driven by oestrogen and those born male are driven by testosterone. But the reality is, all sexes have these hormones running through their bodies, just in different quantities. So if testosterone isn’t just for testes-bearers, what does it do in your body? And what can the knock-on effects of an imbalance be? Welcome to…
Hormonal Acne: The Culprits Behind Your Skin Stress
Read moreMaintaining healthy skin isn’t always as simple as skinsperts and bloggers may make it sound. Sometimes no matter how much money you spend in the lotion aisle, or how many fads you try, your dreams of perfect skin don’t come true. Often the culprits behind your skin complaints are your hormones which can cause hormonal acne and other skin stresses. The hormones in our body are balanced very meticulously, so even…
Cervical Screening: Have No Fear, Get Your Smear!
Read moreTurning 25 not only marks the end of your first quarter of a century on earth, but it also calls for a (rather mundane) birthday card from the NHS, reminding you to book in for your cervical screening. Now you’re ‘of age’, this is going to become something of a routine for you every few years, but just because it’s routine, doesn’t mean we fully understand the ins and outs…