BVNA campaigns
Latest news and updates on BVNA campaigns
Menopause and Perimenopause
Support and resources for veterinary nurses experiencing symptoms of perimenopause and menopause .
This year , the VN Futures Diversity , Inclusivity and Widening Participation Working Group ( DIWP ), led by BVNA , launched the Menopause and Perimenopause campaign to provide guidance and support for veterinary nurses affected by perimenopause and menopause .
The campaign also explores how colleagues , line managers and employers can support people who need reasonable adjustments to their workplace or working life to help them manage their symptoms so they can continue to carry out their jobs effectively .
According to the Fawcett Society ' s report ‘ Menopause and the Workplace ’, 10 % of women stated that they had left their job due to symptoms of the menopause . The 2020 – 21 survey of veterinary professionals by Veterinary Woman and the Society for Practising Veterinary Surgeons reported that 83 % of respondents said that menopause had impacted their health , with fatigue , irritability and difficulty sleeping being the most commonly reported symptoms . As much as 50 % said the impact on their mental health had been severe , with 33 % stating that the menopause had moderately or severely affected their working life or career .
Given that a large majority ( 96.8 %) of veterinary nurses are reported to be female , it ' s important to ensure that veterinary nurses are given the right support in the workplace to prevent the loss of skilled and experienced veterinary nurses from the profession .
The campaign aims to support all veterinary nurses affected by menopause changes or fluctuations in their hormones . This includes cis women and men , and intersex , trans and non-binary veterinary nurses .
Over the course of the campaign we will be sharing menopause experiences , discussions , podcasts and policies , and providing a menopause toolkit with useful signposting and resources for veterinary nurses .
Common symptoms
• Anxiety and changes in mood
• Changes in skin and hair
• Difficulty sleeping
• Headaches or migraines
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Aches and pains
• Loss of confidence
• Loss of libido
• Palpitations
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Vaginal dryness and pain
8 Veterinary Nursing Journal