‘I couldn’t even do one push-up,’ Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes chats about the menopause in a film by Wellbeing of Women to mark World Menopause Day

Wellbeing of Women has also launched a new menopause awareness workplace training course developed in partnership with NHS England.

Double Olympic champion, Dame Kelly Holmes, has opened up about her experience going through the menopause and the impact it had on her mental health in a chat with author Rosie Nixon, as part of Wellbeing of Women’s Let’s #ChatMenopause Campaign.

Dame Kelly recalled struggling with sleep, a low mood, and even a loss of physical strength, with the former athlete shocked to find that she could not even manage one press-up. The impact it had on her mental health meant that she found it hard to distinguish whether her symptoms came from the menopause or from grief following the loss of her mother. She was also unaware of the range of potential menopause symptoms, having assumed that hot flushes were the only one.

Dame Kelly Holmes said: “Apart from hot flushes and sweats, I had no idea what else was associated with the menopause. I started getting bad body aches where I couldn’t even do one press-up. I was already struggling with my mental health, and it was difficult to know how much of it was because of the menopause. This got me really low because I use fitness as a tool for my mental health. People know me as a world-class athlete but at the end of the day, I’m still human. I still have a body that needs to be supported.”

For some women, working with symptoms of the menopause can prove difficult and lead to reduced hours, passing up promotions or leaving their job altogether.

To increase workplace support, Wellbeing of Women is today launching a new menopause awareness workplace training course developed in partnership with NHS England.

Aimed at women experiencing menopause symptoms, their colleagues and people in leadership roles, it will give an overview of the menopause and its impact on women at work, as well as guidance about supporting women using interactive workplace scenarios and quizzes.

Dr Ronke Akerele, NHS England’s Director of Staff Experience and Engagement, said: “We’re thrilled to work with Wellbeing of Women to make menopause e-learning available to a wider audience. The course is designed for everyone, to support those experiencing menopause symptoms to stay and thrive in the workplace and to help raise awareness of menopause amongst the wider workforce. If you’re going through the menopause yourself, or looking to support a colleague, friend or relative, this module will provide you with tools and resources to help manage menopause at work.”

Janet Lindsay, CEO of Wellbeing of Women, said: “Sadly, many women still do not feel comfortable talking about the menopause, which makes it difficult to seek help and find the right support for their symptoms. Our Let’s Chat menopause film helps break down stigma, encouraging women to talk about this life stage without shame, fear or embarrassment. Without support from managers and colleagues, women dealing with the menopause may need to take time off or even quit their job, leaving their workplace with a skills gap and expensive recruitment process. Free resources like our new menopause awareness workplace training course can be used to encourage open dialogue and education in the workplace.”