No good

[Toastandmarmite999]

I'm mid-50s.
I used to be bright, switched on. I'm educated to Masters level, but since menopause, I've lost my brain, and was 'let go' nicely at the job before my current one, because I kept making mistakes.
My current job - which I love - is now hanging by a string, because of some seriously stupid errors I've made and I'm beginning to realise that I can't hold down a job that requires too much responsibility. I feel completely useless and am looking to dumb down in any future employment, which I worry will make me feel depressed - like a faliure.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Hi @Toastandmarmite999 ,

Sorry to hear that.

I'm the same; I have been stuck in a tedious job for ten years and feel too unemployable to ever change. I don't make mistakes but most days am far too exhausted or depressed to work. I do catch up when needed but if anyone were to seriously inspect my work, they would see all the things I have let slip. To be fair, if my boss set more deadlines, I would get far more done, but he completely ignores me.

I would also like less responsibility but cannot imagine having a new boss. There are days when I can't bear to talk to people so avoid everyone at work.

One thing you can do to protect yourself is to officially tell HR about your menopause. A law came out at some point in the past few years saying employers have to allow us time to work from home, or other adjustments. I had a meeting with my boss and told him about it. It wasn't pleasant but I am now covered, if anyone notices my work isn't perfect.

It's a horrible time in some women's lives and it is terrifying that it can lead to loss of income and status, so it's great to be protected.

Don't feel like a failure; it's a medical problem, and some women are more affected than others. You need to look after yourself and it might mean having an easier job for a bit, until the menopause symptoms have gone. I have been told it does happen eventually! If you can afford to earn less, you're lucky. Then maybe you can explore doing different things on the side or making your life interesting in other ways..

I am similar to you in terms of education! Had no issues for years but had a new boss in last job (I was promoted by former boss who I got on great with). I had a new boss more than 15 years less experience (and not in my area) who put me on a bloody PIP. I lost a lot of confidence and was eventually made redundant. I luckily got a new role but I have a sense of dread in this new role as a result. I’m really feeling like an imposter and only a week in but already concerned I’ll fail. Trying to tell myself it was a personality clash and the manager felt threatened by my experience (the new boss did the same with another manager and we were both driven out). Anyway sometimes the issue is not you, it’s the environment you’re in!

I feel the same it is a real struggle...brain fog, tiredness am nowhere what I was and it has sapped my confidence a lot.

I'm in a v difficult position too as I am temping so easily got rid of if not up to scratch....no way could I raise it they would just let me go and my current boss is a male very old school and regimented I could never imagine bringing it up...they would just terminate me...
I'm in a professional role but thinking what else I can do that is less demanding...it is so upsetting I used to have a photo graphic memory and it is now shot to pieces.....the outlook seems very bleak.

I do wonder though if it is widespread as I don't come across so many women in their mid to late 50s so much in the places I have worked maybe they have thrown the towel I don't; blame them ....it depends on your finances but I need to work and have an income...

I've just retired at because , whilst I was "getting away with it" I'd completely lost any focus and couldn't get it back, which made work miserable. I used to get loads out of work, which was really important to me 😥

How old are you @Clockpic if you don't mind me asking?

Sorry, told you, no focus, I had intended to say! 55.

lol that is what I am like!

Have you had HRT? I know it's not a cure all for everything but it can help lots of women. I'm on the Oestrogen and progesterone patches, plus testosterone, which is the one doctors try to resist prescribing because it's not licensed for women. But it's helped a lot with symptoms.

Yep I am on HRT been on it for several years...I am not on testosterone though...how do you get it from your doctor?