Zandra Kilde holder foredrag om tidlig overgangsalder på arbejdsplads

Talks on menopause – creating space for the conversation

An important subject that affects many – but is still often surrounded by silence

Early menopause can happen much earlier than expected and can be a significant personal and professional challenge. Yet it is rarely talked about openly – either in our personal lives or at work.

I offer talks and workshops that create knowledge, openness and practical tools for understanding and navigating the physical and emotional aspects of menopause – both for individuals and organisations.

What can the talk offer?
  • An honest and evidence-informed introduction to early menopause

  • Insight into how workplaces can create a more open and supportive environment

  • Mindfulness and awareness practices as tools for wellbeing

  • Personal stories from my own experience with early menopause

  • Dialogue and reflection around taboos and opportunities for conversation

“I woke up drenched in sweat, and shortly afterwards my doctor gave me a life-changing diagnosis. At 33, I discovered that I was experiencing early menopause. Alongside the intense physical symptoms, I also struggled to find meaning and joy in life during that period.”
Zandra
TV2 Kosmopol feature
In this feature, I share my personal experience of entering early menopause at 33 – and how it affected my body, mind and working life.
Watch the feature
My experience & knowledge
I have also written about my experience with early menopause for ALT for damerne. The article was later reprinted in its Norwegian sister publication and opened up an important conversation about early menopause.
Read the article

Why start the conversation about menopause at work?

Menopause is a natural stage of life in which the body's production of hormones, particularly oestrogen, gradually decreases. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and marks the end of the reproductive years.

But some women experience it much earlier.
Early menopause – Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) occurs when the ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40.

Symptoms can be both physical and emotional, including:

  • Hot flushes and night sweats

  • Irregular or absent periods

  • Sleep problems and exhaustion

  • Difficulty concentrating and memory issues

  • Anxiety, low mood or a sense of losing one's identity

For many women, particularly younger women, this is not simply a hormonal change but an existential transition. Fertility, identity and a sense of direction can suddenly feel uncertain.

That is why it matters that we talk openly about menopause – including early menopause – and create a more informed and compassionate space for those going through it.

Menopause is a natural part of life, but symptoms such as hot flushes, fatigue, memory difficulties and changes in mood can affect working life.

By creating understanding and a supportive workplace, organisations can:

  • Support employee wellbeing

  • Reduce absence and loss of valuable experience

  • Strengthen retention and motivation

  • Create a more inclusive culture

Menopause is a natural part of life, but symptoms such as hot flushes, fatigue, memory difficulties and changes in mood can affect working life. By creating understanding and a supportive workplace, organisations can: Support employee wellbeing, Reduce absence and loss of valuable experience, Strengthen retention and motivation, Create a more inclusive culture.

 

My talk is rooted in my own story.
At 33, I woke up drenched in sweat. Shortly afterwards came a surprising and life-changing diagnosis: I was experiencing early menopause. The experience brought intense physical symptoms, but also questions around identity, the future, meaning and direction.

Through my talk, I want to create space for honest conversations about a life transition that is often surrounded by silence and shame – especially when it happens early.

I share the symptoms and emotional challenges I experienced, as well as the small steps that helped me find a new sense of calm and meaning through mindfulness, meditation and conscious presence.

The talk is both personal and professionally grounded, focusing on:

  • The talk is both personal and professionally grounded, focusing on:

  • How workplaces and society can support people going through life transitions

  • Hvor vigtigt det er at fjerne tabuet – også når det gælder yngre kvinder

  • How meditation and presence can support self-care and connection

My aim is to create space for reflection, recognition and practical ideas for how colleagues and leaders can talk openly about menopause and create support instead of silence.

When menopause is recognised as a natural stage of life rather than a private problem, it can create greater understanding, openness and a stronger sense of belonging.

Organisations that create space for the conversation can work towards:

  • Greater employee wellbeing and satisfaction

  • A healthier approach to stress and absence

  • A workplace culture built on trust

  • Retaining experienced and skilled employees through important life transitions

  • Demonstrating an inclusive and modern approach to wellbeing

The talk often resonates across ages and experiences. Participants have expressed both relief and surprise at hearing someone put words to something they have been experiencing alone.

One typical response has been:

“You couldn't possibly be going through menopause – you're so young. But hearing your story and all your symptoms is exactly what I have been experiencing myself at 51.”

Other responses include:
“This is something everyone should hear.”
“Why have we never talked about this at my workplace before?”
“It suddenly felt okay to be going through it.”

The talk opens space for conversation and reflection – making something difficult a little easier to navigate.

ALT for damerne – Denmark & Norway I have shared my experience of early menopause and life afterwards in an open and personal article. Read the article

TV2 Kosmopol Watch me share my journey of experiencing hot flushes, loss of identity and the struggle to find meaning, motivation and joy after my diagnosis. Watch the feature

 

The talk can be tailored to your organisation, for example:

  • Duration: 45–75 minutes including questions and conversation

  • Format: Live talk, online or as part of a themed event

  • Audience: HR, leadership, employees or professional networks

I create a safe space where knowledge and personal experience meet – making difficult conversations a little easier to have.

For bookings and enquiries: info@zazencopenhagen.com

To help anchor the conversation, you could:

  • Invite employees to an informal conversation group

  • Create a menopause support network
  • Develop workplace guidelines around menopause

  • Offer mindfulness or stress-reduction initiatives

  • Follow up with individual conversations or workshops

I am happy to offer guidance around follow-up and next steps.

Curious whether the talk would be a good fit for your organisation? Get in touch and I will tailor the talk to your needs, audience and setting. 

Contact Zandra

Would you like to book a personal astrology session or do you have questions? You are always welcome to get in touch hereor send me a message on Instagram. I usually reply within 24 hours.