Menopause is a reproductive life stage for any woman when they can no longer conceive and stop having periods. This period (and perimenopause that comes before) is associated with different symptoms, such as hot flushes, trouble sleeping, low mood and anxiety, which can often be disruptive to their daily lives. Why should employers care about menopause? Over 12 million women and gender diverse people at the workplace in the UK…
Category: Health and Lifestyle
13 Posts
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…
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…
Hormones and Smoking: How is it affecting your health?
Read moreIt is a well-known fact that smoking can have a negative impact on your health, with both active and passive smoking possessing the ability to wreak havoc. Being associated with health conditions such as emphysema, diabetes, multiple forms of cancer, heart disease and many more, you would assume that no one would pick up this habit. However, in 2019, health data showed, 28% of men and 22% of women aged…
Alcohol and Hormones: What is the link?
Read moreWhen looking to conceive, cutting down on your drinking is often one of the first things on your preconception to-do list. The dangerous effects of alcohol on the developing foetus can range from physical to mental and generally disrupts their development in the womb (see foetal alcohol syndrome). But what is the link between alcohol and hormones? According to recent data, women and gender-diverse people assigned female at birth, are…
Stress and Your Menstrual Cycle: Is there a link?
Read moreMost of us recognise stress when it comes along. It can be triggered by an impending deadline or presentation. Maybe you are moving house next week or taking on extra shifts at work to afford a holiday this year. Either way, stress is a natural reaction to different life events. Often a very good motivator, it helps us work harder and achieve things, in small doses. But there is a…
Alcohol and Fertility: How Drinking Affects Your Conception Chances
Read moreMonitoring your ovulation, reducing your caffeine intake, taking folic acid… If you are currently actively trying to conceive these recommendations will most likely sound familiar. Chances are you will also have been recommended to stop drinking alcohol. But how are alcohol and fertility linked, and can drinking impair your chances of conceiving? In short, yes. However, new research has now indicated that both the timing in your cycle at which…
Exercise and Fertility: Is There Really a Link?
Read moreWe all have different feelings about exercise. Some of us can’t go a day without it and some of us simply can’t bear it. Whichever team you’re on, there’s no denying that exercise comes with health benefits and some of these benefits extend to your fertility. At the same time, too much exercise can be damaging and finding the right balance for you can be difficult. So we’re here to…
STIs and Fertility: What You Need To Know
Read moreThere are dozens of STIs out there, all with different symptoms and characteristics. If you find out you have an STI, you’re gonorrhoea-lly want to sort it out quickly, so it is important to get an STI check-up if you develop any symptoms and get treated as soon as possible. If you do develop symptoms, you should avoid having sex without a condom until you have been treated to prevent…
Veganism and Fertility: How does a vegan diet impact your fertility?
Read moreThis month, an estimated 400,000 people are taking part in ‘Veganuary’: a movement in which you go vegan for the month of January. Perhaps, you are thinking of joining them or maybe you are just curious about how a vegan diet will affect your fertility? The vegan diet is often hailed as having many health benefits, but what about when it comes to your fertility… Firstly, what is a vegan…