dokter marel, nice to meet you
My name is Jacolien van der Marel. I am a gynecologist and in my daily work I see how much impact women's health issues – including menstrual problems, PMS and perimenopause – can have.
Women sometimes lose the feeling of being in control of their lives due to complaints that affect not only themselves, but also their families, relationships and work. There is often still too little knowledge about complaints that can occur during different stages of life, both among women themselves and among those around them and their employers. This can lead to absenteeism at work and a lack of understanding at home.
With the right guidance, lifestyle choices and, where necessary, treatment, there is often much to be gained.
I offer knowledge and guidance on women's health for employees and their managers. My mission is to use accurate information and practical tools to make women's health issues open to discussion – for women and their employers. I want to empower women to take control of their health and well-being and offer employers the opportunity to benefit from this.
I believe that honest, reliable and scientifically based information about women's health strengthens mutual understanding. Hormonal changes in different stages of life can have an impact on the body, mind and daily life. Yet these topics are often still considered taboo.
My goal is to reach a wide audience with clear information and practical tools and break that taboo. For example: perimenopause is a natural stage of life, but it can have a significant impact on functioning. Around 80% of working women over 40 find that menopausal symptoms make their work more difficult. By making it possible to discuss complaints and offering appropriate support, women remain employable and motivated. This is good for them and for the organization.