Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques,

Rabat Ministry of Health and Social Protection,

Morocco

Master of Leadership in Sexual and Reproductive Health

Name : fatimazehra ELKACEM

 Key concepts in text number 6 :
Menopause-friendly workplaces: Companies adopting practices to support
women experiencing symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and fatigue.

Movement towards menopause-friendly workplaces: Beginning in Britain and

spreading to other countries like the United States.

Challenges faced by menopausal women in the workplace: Lack of support and

acknowledgment of menopausal symptoms, which are now being addressed through policies
and accommodations.

Initiatives to support menopausal women: Training about symptoms, physical

accommodations, and flexible schedules advocated by organizations and governments like
the British Parliament.

Changing Stigma: Efforts in the United States, particularly in New York City, to change the
stigma around menopause.

Increasing Awareness: Influential figures like Oprah and Michelle Obama are bringing
menopause into cultural conversations.

Generational Shift: Gen X-ers are more open about discussing menopause compared to
previous generations.

Business Opportunities: Companies, including "fem-tech" startups, are capitalizing on

menopause-related products and services.

Workforce Retention: Employers are recognizing the impact of menopause on

productivity and are implementing measures to retain experienced women.

Financial Implications: Studies highlight the economic costs of menopause symptoms,

including productivity losses and healthcare expenses.

Education and Support: The importance of education, training, and support in creating
menopause-friendly workplaces, including providing information, training, and access to
treatment.

Leadership Involvement: The significance of leadership involvement in destigmatizing

menopause and fostering a supportive workplace culture.

Treatment Access: Employers are exploring options to provide employees with access to
menopause care, including virtual appointments and partnerships with specialized providers .
 Key ideas:

1: Menopause is a natural life transition, yet the stigma persists. Women have endured
centuries of shame and stigma, feeling unseen once they no longer fit society's definition of
"young." Today, many still face this journey in isolation, grappling with symptoms like hot
flashes, brain fog, mood swings, and sleepless nights…

Shockingly, even the medical community often lacks the knowledge to support women.

2: Our world and workplaces are evolving, with older employees, including women,
extending their careers. Europe, with its rapidly aging population, is a powerful example.
With an increasingly extensive workforce of older working women, it is not reasonable for
menopause to remain a workplace taboo.

3: Menopause symptoms can isolate women, even drive them to leave their careers due to
fear of underperformance or stigma. This talent drain is something Europe cannot afford.

4: Employers must prioritize the well-being of women during menopause. This is not just the
right thing to do, but it's also essential in retaining talent and preventing a wave of "HR
issues," from decreased productivity to high turnover and discrimination claims.

In essence, this is not "just a women's issue"; it's an organizational issue.

5: Even in the EU, consistent data, comprehensive policies, and dialogues are lacking. Spain
is the exception with its legal provision for menopause leave. In Ireland, more data is
available compared to other countries, revealing that 350,000 women face menopausal
challenges, with 39% having missed work, and 86% feeling uncomfortable sharing their
reasons with managers.

6: There's so much work ahead to ensure the well-being, inclusion, and productivity of
women navigating (pre)menopausal symptoms.
_ On the occasion of World Menopause Day on this October 18 (and beyond), it's crucial for
employers and policymakers to proactively take steps to ensure workplaces are menopause-
friendly and to retain women in the workforce!

_ This includes flexible work arrangements, educational programs on menopause, support

networks, clear policies to accommodate menopausal symptoms, open safe-space-
dialogues, and shared family responsibilities .

Key concepts in text number 7 :

Premarital Exam vs. Sexual Health Visit: The medical term for the consultation is "sexual
health visit," but the health-care system started using the phrase "premarital exam" due to
women's preferences and search habits online.

Target Audience: The premarital exams are aimed at heterosexual women who have
remained abstinent from sexual activity, are about to get married, and have questions or
concerns about their first sexual experience.

Expansion to Men: The health-care system plans to update its website to include information
about sexual health visits for men due to increased interest in the topic.

Misinformation and Misconceptions: Many women seeking premarital exams have

misinformation and misconceptions about sexual health, and the consultations aim to
address these concerns and ensure patient safety as they begin having sex.

Physical Exams: Patients only require physical exams if they have particular worries or
symptoms related to sexual health.

Evidence-based Practices: Some practices, like mentioning dilators and antibiotics for UTIs,
are mentioned on the website despite not being evidence-based procedures, but they are
included because patients frequently want to discuss them.
 Ideas of the text :

1. Dr. Jen Gunter criticizes the concept of premarital body exams, describing them as
patriarchal and unscientific.

2. The University of Utah's medical center website suggested women schedule premarital
exams to confirm readiness for sex, which Dr. Gunter found concerning.

3. Premarital exams are considered unique to Utah, where they are tied to promoting
abstinence and limited sexual education.

4. Critics argue that premarital exams may promote inaccurate information about sexual
health and imply that women need men do not. paration for sex that

Experts emphasize the importance of comprehensive sex education starting at a young age
to promote sexual health and well-being.

Critique of terminology used in sexual health education, particularly in Utah's heavily

Mormon population.

Concerns about framing sexual intimacy as a medical issue rather than a normal human
activity.

Criticism of premarital exams for potentially unnecessarily medicalizing and pathologizing

sexual experiences.

Discussion about the patriarchal nature of targeting premarital exams solely at women.

Revisions made by University of Utah Health to their website regarding terminology and
information provided in sexual health visits.
 Key concepts in text number 8 :
Key Concepts:

Alcohol Consumption and Orgasm: The frequency and amount of alcohol consumed
can impact one's ability to climax during sexual activity.

Misconceptions: There's a widespread belief that alcohol enhances sexual experiences,

but recent research suggests a more nuanced relationship between alcohol and sexual
health.

Effects of Alcohol: While small amounts of alcohol may increase arousal and reduce
inhibitions, excessive consumption can suppress arousal and hinder orgasm.

Neurological Processes: Alcohol affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and gamma-

aminobutyric acid (GABA), influencing desire, relaxation, and inhibitions.

Ideas of the text:

Alcohol's dampening effect on the brain, including its impact on the prefrontal cortex,
cerebellum, and autonomic nervous system.

The influence of alcohol on sexual stimuli processing and muscle coordination necessary for
orgasm.

The importance of moderation in alcohol consumption, especially before sexual activity.

The definition of moderate drinking and its variability based on individual factors.

The association between chronic, heavy alcohol use and sexual dysfunctions such as erectile
dysfunction and anorgasmia.

Seeking help from healthcare professionals, including primary care physicians, sex therapists,
and mental health professionals, for orgasm issues and alcohol-related concerns.