Approximately 60% of women are in the paid workforce, according to the Organization for Economic and Commercial Development (OECD). Consequently, more women are experiencing menopause in the workplace, which typically occurs between ages 45 and 55. 

Currently, there is minimal research on how women are impacted by menopause at work. Learn what scientists discovered about which symptoms are most problematic and which women are most adversely affected.* 

What they did

The research team utilized data from the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) cohort study, which collects data on people aged 50 to 64 in their communities and at work. In 2019, 409 female HEAF participants answered a questionnaire about their menopausal symptoms and how those symptoms affect their work lives. 

What they found

After analyzing the questionnaire results, researchers found that 27% of participants reported at least moderate problems coping with menopause at work. Interestingly, women who reported at least moderate problems were also more likely to: 

• Struggle financially 
• Have financial dependants
• Rate their own health poorly
• Report depression symptoms
• Feel insecure about their job
• Felt unappreciated or dissatisfied with their job

Among all participants, the most common menopausal symptoms affecting work included: 

• Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats (91.7%)
• Trouble sleeping (68.2%)
• Psychological, such as anxiety and depression (63.6%)
• Urinary, such as painful urination and frequent urination (49.1%) 

What it means

Previous research suggests that menopausal symptoms can lead to impaired productivity, disability from work, job exit, and a reduction in working hours. The findings from this study suggest that women in a lower socio-economic position may struggle even more with menopausal symptoms at work.

The study authors suggest that improving the workplace environment for the lowest-paying jobs may help to improve women’s health and quality of life and that employers should make efforts to adjust workplace policies to support them. 

*D’Angelo, S., Bevilacqua, G., Hammond, J., Zaballa, E., Dennison, E. M., & Walker-Bone, K. (2022). Impact of Menopausal Symptoms on Work: Findings from Women in the Health and Employment after Fifty (HEAF) Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 295. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010295