World Menopause Day at Sainsbury’s

This week, we kicked off our Women’s Health Series with a powerful and insightful event in anticipation of World Menopause Day on Saturday, 18th October. Hosted by Seanne Pedder, Head of Optimisation at Sainsbury’s, the session brought together an inspiring panel: Heather Jackson, CEO and Co-founder of Gen M, Dr Megha Dhavale, GP and Clinical Tutor in Women’s Health at University College London, and Tash Mills, Head of Buying for Health and Beauty at Sainsbury’s.

Together, they helped us unpack the realities of perimenopause and menopause, offering practical advice, personal stories, and guidance on how we can better support ourselves and each other.

Understanding menopause: the basics

Dr Megha Dhavale opened the session by demystifying menopause and its stages. She explained that:

• Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, often marked by fluctuating hormones and varied symptoms.
• Menopause is defined as the point at which a person has gone 12 months without a period.
• Medically induced menopause, such as through surgery or treatment, can be more intense and abrupt than natural menopause and requires tailored support.

She reminded us that there are 48 symptoms of menopause and these vary widely, from mild to debilitating, and encouraged anyone experiencing unexpected changes (like bleeding after menopause or sex) to speak to their GP. “Nothing has ever embarrassed me,” she said, and reassured us that no concern is too small or too personal.

Managing symptoms: practical advice and support

Menopause can affect people in many different ways, and managing symptoms is a personal journey. Dr Dhavale shared several strategies that can help, but speaking to your GP should always be the first step especially if symptoms are persistent, severe, or unusual.

Key takeaways included:

• Fatigue: A balanced diet and regular exercise can help, but if symptoms persist, see your GP to rule out other causes.
• Brain fog: Keep your brain active with puzzles, games, or learning something new. Writing things down can also aid memory.
• Supplements: Some may help, but we should always consult our GP before starting anything new.

How can we support people going through menopause

Supporting someone through menopause doesn’t require medical expertise, just empathy and awareness. Our favourite pieces of advice were:

Encourage open conversations: Normalising menopause starts with talking about it. Creating a safe space for those around us to share their experiences can make a huge difference.

Be mindful and empathetic: Dr Megha Dhavale encouraged people to speak to their GP without embarrassment. We can reinforce this message by being understanding and reminding others that no concern is too small to raise.

 Avoid assumptions: Menopause affects everyone differently. Some may experience severe symptoms, while others may have none at all. Respecting each person’s unique journey is really important when offering support.

Gen M and Sainsbury’s: a partnership for progress

Heather Jackson shared Gen M’s mission: to improve the menopause experience for everyone — not just those going through it, but also those who want to understand and support others. She highlighted the importance of normalising conversations and making menopause visible in the workplace and beyond.

Tash Mills spoke about how Sainsbury’s is working to ensure our health and beauty ranges reflect the needs of those experiencing menopause, and Seanne closed with how we’re embedding support into our colleague experience. We’re proud to offer a wealth of resources for colleagues navigating menopause, including:

• Access to expert advice and educational sessions.
• Menopause guidance for colleagues and line managers
• Support through our Inspire Network.
• Ongoing partnerships with organisations like Gen M to ensure our approach is inclusive and informed.

A huge thank you to our Inspire network for making this event possible, and to our brilliant speakers - Heather Jackson, Dr Megha Dhavale, and Tash Mills - for sharing their time, expertise and insight.