In this blog for Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month, BVNA Council Member Helen Stewart discusses how there are so many women balancing the wild ride of menopause with the everyday chaos of clinical life, and it’s okay to ask for support.

Find out more about VNAM here, and how you can get involved this year.

Let’s be honest, going through menopause while working as a veterinary nurse is no walk in the park. Some days, those infamous hot flushes hit right in the middle of a marathon shift, and the consultation room feels less like a calm clinic and more like a stuffy sauna. You might find yourself fanning your face with an incontinence sheet, desperately wishing someone would invent a cooling scrub top. Add fatigue into the mix, and suddenly dashing to the pharmacy cupboard or lifting a wriggly Labrador becomes a Herculean task. And don’t even get me started on the emotional rollercoaster—one minute you’re laughing with a client over their kitten’s antics, the next minute you’re tearing up because someone brought in a thank-you card.

But here’s the thing: you’re absolutely not alone in this. There are so many of us balancing the wild ride of menopause with the everyday chaos of clinical life. It’s totally okay to ask for support, whether that means talking to your manager about adjusting your rota, sneaking off for a breather in the staff room, or just letting your colleagues know you’re having a rough day. Sometimes, all it takes is a small change—like a handheld fan or a swap in shift timing to make those tough moments a bit more manageable. And while it can be hard to prioritise yourself when you’re used to putting every patient, client and work colleague first, remember that self-care isn’t selfish. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you deserve to look after yourself just as much as you care for all those furry (and feathery, and scaly!) patients.

So, if you’re a veterinary nurse riding the menopause wave, be gentle with yourself! Don’t be afraid to share your tips and tricks for surviving the sweaty moments, maybe it’s a favourite water bottle, a cool towel, or just the perfect playlist for a midday pick-me-up. Celebrate the small wins and laugh about the awkward moments (like when you’re convinced everyone can see the sweat stains on your scrubs). Most importantly, lean on your workmates—they’re your tribe, and chances are, they know exactly what you’re going through or want to support you however they can. We’re all in this together—one step, one flush, one laugh, and one heartfelt conversation at a time. And hey, if all else fails, there’s always tea, biscuits and sometimes chocolate in the staff room.

If you’re reading this and nodding along, remember: every stage you’re experiencing is valid. The challenges are real, but so are the victories—big and small. Menopause might throw some wild cards your way, but you’re stronger, braver, and more resilient than you realise. Keep talking about it, keep supporting each other, and let’s keep making the clinic floor a kinder place, for everyone.

Helen Stewart, BVNA Council Member