With women over 50 rapidly becoming a major demographic in the workforce, addressing menopause's impact is vital for maintaining productivity and well-being. Licensed Menopause Champion Lisa Tarquini shares how women can manage their symptoms, and how workplaces can accommodate and support menopausal employees
At the age of 48, Lin started experiencing brain fog and memory issues. After thorough medical testing that ruled out early onset dementia, Lin learned that she was in perimenopause. Up until that point, Lin had no idea that the brain was affected by the natural transition known as menopause.
As a senior partner in a law firm Lin relied heavily on her memory and cognitive abilities to perform well in her job. Prior to seeking medical attention she thought her symptoms were due to sleep disturbance, long working hours and stress—though these were aspects that had been normal for many years.
Although Lin was able to ‘function’ at work, tasks had lately become much harder and her recall was slower. This worried Lin as she didn’t want her work performance to slip or anyone to notice something was wrong.
After learning she was in perimenopause Lin started receiving treatment that helps balance her hormones and improve her cognitive function.
See also: How to prepare for perimenopause
The unpredictable nature of menopause
When it comes to menopause, not everyone experiences the same symptoms, with the same severity, or at the same age. Some might feel their physical symptoms more significantly, while others don’t experience any changes to speak of at all. But women won’t know what to expect until they are progressing through perimenopause.
Awareness and understanding of menopause isn’t well-known, particularly in the workplace. It can be a lonely time for those experiencing it. But as an ageing population, we need to consider the impact of menopause in the workplace. In 2020, over 300 million women aged between 45 and 59 were in the workforce. With the average age of menopause being 51 years old and some women experiencing perimenopause symptoms that can include hot flushes, brain fog, poor sleep and anxiety up to 10 years prior to their final menstrual cycle, it’s time to consider the impact of menopause in the workplace to enable those experiencing it to perform optimally.
See also: Meet the Pioneering Ob-Gyn Challenging Barriers to Women’s Menopausal Health in Malaysia
The impact of menopause for women in the workplace
Menopause is a complex transition with symptoms ranging from the physical to the emotional to the psychological.
Common psychological symptoms of menopause include mood disturbances (think highs and lows), anxiety, depression, memory loss, panic attacks and loss of confidence. These symptoms can affect concentration and the ability to remember information, which can lead to mistakes or loss in work productivity.
The most commonly reported physiological symptoms of menopause include:
- Hot flushes, which can lead to excessive sweating, discomfort and sleep disturbance, affecting energy levels and productivity
- Joint pain, making sitting or standing for long periods of time uncomfortable
- Urinary frequency, which can be inconvenient during the working day
- Migraines, which can inhibit the ability to function altogether
Many women can find that their working lives are severely impacted by menopause symptoms, which, according to studies, has resulted in women refusing promotions, reducing their hours and leaving jobs entirely.
Two-thirds of women believe their menopause symptoms have had a negative impact on them at work. Some women have been fortunate to receive help and understanding from colleagues and managers, but this isn’t always the case. Many reported they did not want to disclose information about their menopause symptoms with management, and this can lead to a lack of support and feelings of isolation in the workplace.