Menopause

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life, and it is defined as the point at which a woman has gone twelve consecutive months without menstruation. 

The menopausal transition is characterized by a progressive decline in ovarian function and changes in hormone levels, typically occurring in a woman's late 40s or early 50s. It can also result from medical or surgical interventions. During this transition, women may experience significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes.

Symptoms & Everyday Impact

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS; also known as hot flashes), nighttime hot flashes (night sweats) and sleep disturbances are the most frequently reported symptoms in menopause. They can be disruptive and substantially affect women’s quality of life and long-term health as well as limit their daily activities. VMS are reported by up to 80% of menopausal women and are one of the main reasons women seek medical advice during menopause. 

Approximately 40% to 60% of women experience sleep disturbances during the menopausal transition, which may include trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Menopause symptoms can also have a significant impact on workplace performance and engagement. Women with severe symptoms also report lower rates of workability and higher turnover intentions thereby resulting in individual career and wider societal consequences.

Impact of Menopause at Work

Menopause is a phase in women's life that can affect sleep, energy, focus, and daily routines. For many women around the world, these changes make everyday tasks more challenging, impacting wellbeing, participation, and quality of life.

These effects also extend to the workplace. Symptoms like sleep disruption, hot flashes and difficulty concentrating turn routine tasks into uphill climbs. Too often, women step back or leave the workforce when their experience and leadership are needed most. Without adequate support, teams risk losing critical talent, perspective and expertise. Recent conversations with Foreign Policy and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) underscore this: supporting menopause at work isn’t only a health topic; it’s about equity, opportunity and progress. 

Watch the video, then take a simple first step. Start a conversation, add flexibility, share clear guidance, so no one is missing from the room within your organization. 

Menopause-related work disruptions lead to a loss of USD 1.8 billion per year. Every day, symptoms associated with menopause can harm women’s confidence, mental health, and productivity at work. The stigma can be isolating and cause unwarranted doubt about women in the workplace. 

Despite the detrimental effects on women’s well-being and career progression, up to 8 in 10 women report a lack of menopause-specific support from their employers. Advancing initiatives and providing better support to women is crucial in retaining talent and leadership in the workplace.

Support & Care

If any concerns arise or additional support is required, women should consult their physician for advice. It is important to tell the healthcare professional which symptoms they are dealing with and how much they affect life, so that together, women can decide the right course of action.