Perimenopause/Menopause Guidance and Support for Students

Introduction

1.    This guidance is part of a series which outlines support for students at the University of Strathclyde, with a particular focus on promoting equality of opportunity and preventing discrimination irrespective of: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, care experience or socio- economic background. These guidance documents underpin and should be read in conjunction with the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

2.    At Strathclyde, we recognise the impact of perimenopause/menopause on the health and wellbeing of our students. 

3.    We are committed to ensuring that, if you experience symptoms of perimenopause/menopause, you are supported as early and as effectively as possible to allow you to progress with your studies in an appropriate way.

4.    The purpose of this guidance is to ensure that we, at Strathclyde: 
a.    Support students experiencing perimenopause/menopause symptoms and empower them to be open about any symptoms they are experiencing. 
b.    Support and empower staff to respond appropriately, sensitively, and confidentially to the needs of students experiencing perimenopause/menopause symptoms. 
c.    Encourage staff to consider how they can support students who experience symptoms of perimenopause/menopause. 
d.    Raise awareness of perimenopause/menopause health and the support available, including reasonable adjustments if appropriate.
e.    Foster and promote a supportive and well-informed environment. 
f.    Tackle inappropriate behaviours and attitudes that minimise the dignity, respect, safety and wellbeing for perimenopausal/menopausal students of all genders.

5.    This guidance aims to promote understanding and provide clarity on issues related to perimenopause/menopause.  It outlines the support you, as a student, can expect from the University. It also provides guidance for staff on supporting students at the University.

Scope

6.    This guidance applies to all undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research students regardless of programme or mode of study. 

7.    It is not only women who go through perimenopause/menopause and related symptoms. Some trans men and women, who may experience actual or pseudo menopause symptoms due to treatment or treatment interruptions, as well as non-binary people and intersex people can also be affected.

8.    At Strathclyde, we recognise the intersectional factors that shape our experiences; the way in which people’s many and varied identities and characteristics impact upon on their lives. This can compound disadvantage or barriers for some groups and individuals. For example:
a.    The way in which a neurodivergent person may experience perimenopause/menopause symptoms could be profoundly different, and more challenging, to a neurotypical person. They may have heightened sensitivity to pain, for example.  
b.    1in 100 women experience premature menopause before they are 40. This can be a more unexpected and difficult diagnosis than for older people. 
c.    Surgical menopause occurs when someone has undergone a total or radical hysterectomy that removes the ovaries. Menopause is then experienced immediately, regardless of age.
d.    Someone’s cultural or religious background might affect how perimenopause/menopause is experienced and discussed.
e.    Same sex/gender couples may face additional challenges if they both experience perimenopause/menopause and symptoms over a similar time period. 

We aim to acknowledge, understand and support those differing experiences.  

What is Perimenopause/Menopause?

9.    Perimenopause is the transition period from the start of menopause symptoms until you have your last period. During this time, you may experience a range of symptoms due to changing hormones. Periods will usually become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether. They might be more irregular and become heavier or lighter. For some, they can stop suddenly. 

10.    Menopause is when you stop having periods for 12 consecutive months and means ‘the last menstrual period’. This typically happens between the ages of 45-55 and it is a natural part of the ageing process. For some, this might happen earlier in life, for example if you have an auto-immune disease or cancer treatment.

11.    The first sign of perimenopause/menopause can be a change in the regular pattern of your periods, where you start having either unusually light or heavy periods. The frequency of periods can also be affected, where they might occur every two to three weeks, or they may not occur for months at a time.

12.    Eventually, your periods will stop altogether although, for some individuals, other perimenopause/menopause symptoms might continue. You might begin to experience symptoms including migraines, irritability, and low mood, especially around the time you would get your period, without experiencing irregularity in periods.

13.    Overall, this period of hormonal change and the symptoms you can experience can last from four to eight years and some existing conditions may be made worse by the onset of perimenopause/menopause. You might find that the positive benefits outweigh the negative challenges over time.

14.    If you do experience any of these symptoms it could, potentially, impact your studies in different ways. Challenges might include:
a.    Psychological symptoms such as low mood, anxiety and stress and sometimes the overall emotional impact of perimenopause/menopause can affect your energy, motivation and attendance.
b.    Cognitive symptoms, sometimes referred to as ‘brain fog’, which can include difficulty concentrating, memory lapses and slow processing.
c.    Lack of, or interrupted sleep, which can impact on your energy levels and ability to concentrate.
d.    Pain can impact your movement and physical capability.
e.    Fear of stigma and embarrassment which mean that you may be more reluctant to discuss your experience with the University due to negative past experiences or a perceived unsupportive response.
f.    You may need time off from your programme or assessments. In the past you might have felt that you couldn’t declare the real reason for your absence.

General advice and support

15.    Perimenopause/menopause symptoms can be considered a disability with obligations under the Equality Act. Where relevant, you should contact Disability and Wellbeing for a one-to-one needs assessment and to discuss what support can be put in place to assist your studies. 

16.    Evidenced ongoing issues related to perimenopause/menopause can be submitted in support of an academic appeal as per Academic Appeals Procedure if your ability to attend, perform or complete your assessments is impacted . Students should refer to the Personal Circumstances Evidence Guide for Students for guidance on what is considered as acceptable evidence in these circumstances. 

17.    You may request an extension to coursework submissions on the basis of the impact of perimenopause/menopause in accordance with the Policy and Procedure on Extensions to Submissions of Coursework. 

18.    We understand that it can be challenging to access health and support services in relation to perimenopause/menopause and that it is not always easy to provide evidence for Personal Circumstances. Please contact Disability and Wellbeing or Strath Union Advice Hub for support in such cases.

19.    Free single use period products are available for use by anyone who has a menstrual cycle in a range of toilets across campus. 

20.    Support packs containing a change of clothing are available across campus for those who experience flooding or heavy bleeding. See the Menstruation, Perimenopause and Menopause Support webpage for more details.

21.    Perimenopause/menopause symptoms can be greatly relieved by positive lifestyle choices such as being physically active, eating well and good sleep hygiene. Strathclyde Sport can provide advice and support in relation to this. 

22.    If you perceive that you may have been treated in an inappropriate manner on the basis of perimenopause/menopause you should either speak to your Adviser of Studies / Personal Development Adviser (or equivalent) or report this issue via Report & Support, the University’s reporting facility.

23.    Further support and advice can be obtained via the following channels:
a.    Disability and Wellbeing Service 
b.    Report & Support: The University’s facility to report problematic behaviours such as harassment, gender-based violence, stalking, discrimination, or to raise concerns about safety, and issues that undermine our inclusive University.
c.    Strath Union Advice Hub: The Advice Hub offer independent advice to Strathclyde students. The Advice Hub is based within Strath Union in the Learning and Teaching Building. 
d.    Dignity and Respect Advisers: Dignity and Respect Advisers are members of University staff who are appropriately trained to help staff and students who have, or perceive that they have been, impacted by the issues raised under the Dignity & Respect Policy. 

Information for staff

24.    Issues related to perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms must be considered when submitted as Personal Circumstances or in relation to extension requests, though the decision remains at the discretion of the panel/relevant staff member.
 
25.    Staff should be aware of the challenges that can exist for students to gather evidence of the impact of perimenopause/menopause. Support and advice can be sought from the Disability and Wellbeing Service where required.

26.    It is important to recognise that the experience of some perimenopausal/menopausal students can be viewed as a disability and so the University has a legal duty to consider and make reasonable adjustments. 

27.    Students can be directed to the Disability and Wellbeing Service and Strath Union Advice Hub for further support.  

28.    The People Hub provides further information and links to external organisations related to the perimenopause/menopause.