[Menopausal experiences] I can’t move at home… but I can’t take time off from work!

Changes in the body that started before you noticed menopausal symptoms

Currently, Mr. T (company employee) is 51 years old. I am in the middle of suffering from menopausal symptoms. I was 49 years old when I realized that my physical condition was a symptom of menopause.

However, my body had already started to change at the age of 42. I began to suffer from “pruritus,” in which symptoms such as redness and eczema were not seen on the skin, but only itching occurred.

“When I was sleeping, I scratched both my upper and lower extremities, and there were a lot of scratches, so I was prescribed Hillroid at the hospital. I get itchy when I sweat for a long time. My skin is fine with any kind of cosmetics. However, around the age of 45, I started developing facial allergies, so I switched to hypoallergenic, non-alcoholic cosmetics (*Ms. T’s favorite product is the Derma Medico series).”

And now, he says, hot flashes, joint pain, headaches, irritability, lethargy—most of the so-called “menopausal symptoms” apply.

“From two years ago (49 years old), for about half a year, except for the work that I was doing with my energy, I was always lying down at home.It feels like morning sickness during pregnancy. I want to, but my body doesn’t move the way I want it to.”

Taking “Inochi no Haha” and recovering a little. I know I should rest, but…

“My body is heavy and I have a lot of things to do, but I can’t move. I thought I might be sick, so I consulted with my family doctor. When I took “ Inochi no Haha A ” orally, after about a week, I saw a gradual improvement in my fatigue, and I was convinced that I was in menopause.

After that, Mr. T visited a menopausal outpatient clinic. Since she feels the effect of “Inochi no Haha”, she will continue to take it as it is, and will have a blood test and a vaginal examination at the outpatient clinic. Recently, I’ve been suffering from frozen shoulders, so I’ve been going to an orthopedic surgeon and receiving prescriptions for poultices and pain relievers.

In addition to going to a menopausal outpatient clinic, don’t force yourself to do things you can’t do at home
. I am trying to find out what I can do by myself, such as actively gathering information about menopause from my acquaintances.

However, in terms of the understanding of those around me, I’m conflicted that I can’t tell the situation that I’m not feeling well due to menopause only at the “workplace”.

“Since it’s a woman’s problem, I’m worried that if I confide in my boss, I’ll talk about it within the scope of my boss, so I’ve never taken time off from work. I think it’s something that I get used to, and I also cause trouble for other people, so I’m doing my best with energy.I’m not good at being distracted by the people around me…

In addition, he continues that menopausal disorders are not as well understood as morning sickness during pregnancy in the work environment.

“I know that menopause is nothing to be ashamed of. For those who haven’t experienced it, it may seem like a kind of spoiled child. I hope I can get

I’m puzzled by my “menopausal self”, which is different from my past self

Until menopause, Ms. T loved to move her body and put all her effort into her family and work, and lived a powerful life. I feel a big change now.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been in good health so far, and I’m probably feeling my body aging. Also, it’s hard mentally and physically because I’m different from what I used to be. Until menopause comes, I think, It was time to act immediately. Now I’m in a state of ‘I want to think, but I can’t act.’ Actually, maybe God is kindly telling me to take a break.”

Advice from Dr. Miho Takao

Let’s have a countermeasure for “when you get sick”

Both menopause and menopause are different for each person, and the severity of menopausal symptoms is also different. About 40% of people can get by without any particular trouble. In other words, it is difficult for others to understand your malfunction.

Therefore, rather than trying to get your workplace to understand, it is important to understand when you are likely to become ill and have countermeasures such as taking medicine. As I mentioned in ” 5 lifestyle habits and health awareness that should be changed during menopause “, menopause is a “turning point”. If you slow down and turn, the thick road will open up ahead of you. It can be said that one of the measures to be taken is to slow down to a pace that suits you during menopause.

I also work as an industrial physician. It is also possible to think that working women should be placed under their own responsibility for condition management as they are incorporated as members of society and are paid by companies. In that respect, I think that Mr. T is fully fulfilling his duties as a member of society.

Society is still immature and there is certainly a lack of understanding of “menopause”, so it is important for us to know correctly.

In 1947, “menstrual leave” was stipulated in Japan’s “Labor Standards Law”. It was a fast movement globally, but the meaning of this law is that “women should be protected”. And there is a hierarchical relationship between those who protect and those who are protected.

Unless this situation changes, the current Japanese society will not change, so let’s first understand our own bodies and take measures that we can take. As a result, I hope that the world will become easier for everyone, including men, to take time off when they are not feeling well or for the health of their families, instead of creating “menopausal leave” and “wellness leave”.