Menopause In the Workplace

I remember going through menopause at work with hot flashes, low energy levels, and brain fog. I felt inept, unprepared for my job and confused as to why all the sudden I was failing at doing my best. I did not know as much as I know now about menopause and the symptoms of menopause to connect the dots as to why I was feeling the way I did.

Menopause is a not an illness or medical condition, it is a completely normal life event for women. 

However, the troublesome symptoms that menopause can bring are all too often under-recognized, undervalued and not taken seriously. 

Symptoms such as hot flushes, fatigue, mood changes and brain fog not only affect home life and relationships, but careers too. 

According to research, nine out of ten women say their menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms have a negative impact on their work 

Other findings included:
9% had a disciplinary process, because of poor performance
51% of respondents reported having time off work due to their symptoms  

51% had reduced their working hours
32% considered quitting their job altogether. 

Women over the age of 50 are the fastest growing group in the workforce. 

As the average age of the menopause is 51, it means that symptoms often occur when women are at the peak of their careers. Yet many women do not recognize their symptoms are related to the menopause. We tend to blame them on the stresses of work and home. It is worth remembering it might not be the whole picture. 

Since we do not talk about menopause, not talking about menopause in the workplace means many women won’t feel comfortable discussing their symptoms with their manager or colleagues, and importantly, won’t feel they can ask for help addressing their symptoms. 

Research has shown that menopausal women feel less engaged at work, have a lower level of commitment, feel less satisfied and have a greater intention to quit their job altogether the more bothersome their symptoms are. 

In addition, studies show that menopausal symptoms can have a significant impact on workplace attendance and performance. Menopausal symptoms can also lead to some women leaving their jobs early, or not putting themselves up for promotion. 

Worryingly, menopausal symptoms are commonly misdiagnosed as depression. A survey found 66% of women were wrongly offered anti-depressants.

If you think about it, the symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and night sweats, cause sleep interruptions, insomnia, and sleep deprivation. This can cause brain fog and low energy that you will bring into your work day and not perform your best. 

Normalizing menopause and talking about menopause can help start a conversation in the workplace.  Advocating for your menopause health and mental health can help with this effort.