Men invited to feel hot flushes at Hull menopause event

Organizers of an upcoming support event in Hull are encouraging the partners of menopausal women to gain first-hand insight into the condition by testing a device that simulates a hot flush.

The Menopaus’ull Support Network is hosting the initiative next month, with health charity Over The Bloody Moon providing its MenoVest. The garment is designed to replicate one of the most common symptoms of menopause, allowing attendees to feel what it is like.

Sarah Weichardt, who co-manages the project, emphasized that the initiative is particularly aimed at men. She stated that the goal is to help them better understand the physical and emotional challenges women face.

“It’s not just a hot flush, it’s what the hot flush brings with it,” Weichardt explained. “So it could be panic, it could be anxiety. It’s experiencing it all at the same time.”

She added that the more people who can try the vest, the greater the understanding will be among the public.

The event is scheduled to take place at Princes Quay shopping centre on 17 October, running from 10:30 to 14:30 BST. An earlier session is also planned for Beverley on 10 October between 10:30 and 13:30 BST at the Toll Gavel Church.

Weichardt noted that her organization displays a banner listing nearly 40 symptoms associated with the condition. She observed that many women do not realize they are entering perimenopause or menopause until they see the list, often resulting in a “lightbulb moment.” According to Weichardt, once women accept their status, they are better positioned to seek the support they require.

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and typically occurs around the age of 50. The preceding phase, known as perimenopause, is characterized by unpredictable periods, mood changes, sleep difficulties, and sexual discomfort.