27/08/2025
Dr Melinda recently boarded Airlink flight to Gqeberha for the SA Masters Hockey Interprovincial Tournament — always a highlight of her year.
Settling into her seat, she opened the Skyways magazine and was thrilled to see an article she had co-written with Dr Skye: “Adjusting to the Change: Hormonal Changes Are Natural — and the Business World Needs to Better Support Workers.”
The article unpacks a startling reality: 1 in 4 women considers leaving her job due to menopausal symptoms, and 1 in 10 actually does — an unspoken loss of experience, leadership, and capability at a stage when careers should be soaring. For many, the cocktail of symptoms during this transition doesn’t just affect careers; it ripples into every part of life, including the hobbies and passions that bring joy.
Moving through her 40s and noticing the occasional poor night’s sleep, hot flush, or stubborn muscle ni**le, Dr Melinda shares a deep empathy for peers navigating this life stage. Hockey has always been one of her greatest passions, and this week reminded her how grateful she is for a body that still moves, competes, and brings immense joy. Sport has a unique way of uniting people — she reconnected with teammates from school and varsity, coaches who now play alongside her, and friends from every stage of her playing life. There were creaky joints, aching muscles, and a few more grey hairs, but also plenty of wisdom, encouragement, and camaraderie across age categories from 35 to well beyond 60.
It sparked an important reflection: if hormonal changes can quietly derail a woman’s career, how many sporting dreams, personal passions, and social connections are also lost along the way? Just as supportive workplaces are essential, so too are inclusive environments — on and off the field — where women (and men) can navigate these life stages with confidence, understanding, and encouragement.
Read the full article: bit.ly/4oKONmx
