Serving through the perimenopause: Experiences of women in the UK Armed Forces
Antony Willman, Kate King
Abstract
• Little is known about women serving in the UK Armed Forces who live with perimenopausal symptoms. • This survey provides some understanding of the prevalence, symptomatology and lived experience in a male-dominated working environment. • It shows that military service creates workplace and healthcare challenges to women in the perimenopause above and beyond those of a civilian population. Perimenopause is a hot topic in the UK mainstream media, with celebrities championing the cause and a new selection of books being published on the topic. Little is known, however, about the experiences of women serving in the UK Armed Forces while transitioning through perimenopause. This mixed-methods survey aimed to evaluate women's current experiences to determine what future research or policy is required to support this phase. It highlighted seven themes where the impact of the perimenopause was the greatest: coping in the workplace, fearing the effect on careers, accessing healthcare, the management of perimenopause by primary care, physical effects, psychological and cognitive effects, and physical activity. It shows that issues felt by those in the perimenopause are exacerbated for those working in male-dominated environments. Policy changes in the delivery of primary healthcare, occupational health and employment could improve the situation for women in all similar workplaces.