One in three women says menopause unmanaged symptoms have made them consider quitting work (Image: Getty)
Nearly one in three women are considering leaving work because of unmanaged menopause symptoms, according to troubling new research. Many more are quietly cutting their hours, turning down opportunities or struggling with confidence and performance. This is not because women are incapable, but because they are trying to navigate a significant life and health transition without the right understanding, support or adjustments around them, says Dr Amy Pressland of Benenden Health, who carried out the research.
“Menopause shouldn’t force women out of the careers they love,” she says. “But our research shows a third are thinking about quitting because of the menopause. Women can manage symptoms with support and practical adjustments, but employers and society must step up – talk openly, offer flexible working, provide tailored policies – so women can stay confident, productive, and continue to thrive in the workplace.”
One official estimate suggests that menopause costs the economy 14 million working days every single year as a result of women taking time off because of their symptoms. It is also thought that around half of women aged between 50 and 64 choose to work extra hours to make up for their perceived loss of productivity. Another study revealed how many women were missing out on promotions and pay hikes because of taking time off to get through this stage of life.
Dr Amy Pressland of Benenden Health believes women need more support (Image: Courtesy: Benenden Health)
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AS MY ENERGY DROPPED, EXERCISE FELL AWAY
Maureen Dominey, 50, was mixing up names and forgetting things (Image: Courtesy Maureen Dominey)
Maureen Dominey, 50, from London, says: “I’ve worked in the rail industry since I was 16, and I’m now head of department at Southeastern Railway, leading a team of around 30 people. I’ve always been proud of my career and of being a capable, hands-on leader. But about three years ago, things started to change in a way I didn’t understand at the time.
“There came a point where I was mixing up names, forgetting figures and feeling utterly drained by midweek – and that’s just not who I am as a leader. Migraines, brain fog, hot flushes, mood swings and exhaustion crept in, and even simple decisions started to feel heavy. I tried to keep going, telling myself to ‘just get on with it’, assuming it was stress or tiredness. I didn’t realise at first that it was menopause, and I definitely didn’t feel confident admitting I was struggling.
“As my energy dropped, exercise fell away and weight gain added to the feeling that I was losing control of my wellbeing. I even considered quitting my job entirely, which was frightening after working so hard to get where I was.
“Opening up to my manager changed everything. I’d been nervous about having that conversation, but he was supportive and understanding. The flexible working I was offered, including compressing my hours and having a midweek reset day, was a game-changer. I also found huge value in peer support through our menopause group, knowing I wasn’t alone.
“I’m still in the role I love, leading a brilliant team, and I feel like myself again. I want other women to know they don’t have to battle through this alone. When employers understand menopause and make small, practical adjustments, women can continue to thrive at work.”
Dr Pressland says managing the transition starts simply by recognising that what they’re experiencing is real, common and not something they simply have to “push through”. “Symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, hot flushes and memory problems can be deeply disruptive and scary, but they are also manageable with the right support,” Dr Pressland says.
Seeking clinical advice, whether through a GP, menopause specialist or one-on-one coaching can be a crucial first step to understanding what’s happening and finding helpful strategies.
Not weakness
“Increasingly women are searching for support – Benenden Health data shows that out of all the 1:1 coaching appointments available via their app, menopause is second only to mental health, with more than one in four of those members accessing this support service,” Dr Pressland continues. “That tells us women want answers, reassurance and practical tools that allow them to stay well and confident at work rather than stepping back unnecessarily.
“It’s also vital that women feel empowered to talk openly about menopause, whether with healthcare professionals, managers or trusted colleagues. Menopause is not a personal weakness or something to be ashamed of.
“Having the language to describe symptoms, understanding available options such as lifestyle changes or treatment, and feeling able to ask for support can help women regain a sense of control at a time that often feels overwhelming.”
Dr Cheryl Lythgoe, nurse consultant at Benenden Health, says: “Menopause affects women differently and can bring a wide range of physical, mental and emotional symptoms that are hard to manage while working. Yet many still feel uncomfortable discussing it in the workplace, meaning essential support is often missed.”
I KNEW SOMETHING WASN’T RIGHT, BUT I WAS BRUSHED OFF
Isobel McGill, 48, found the anxiety overwhelming some days (Image: Courtesy: Isobel McGill)
Isobel McGill, 48, from County Down, from Northern Ireland, says: “I’m a mental health practitioner, so my career has always been about supporting other people. But during perimenopause, there were days when the anxiety was so overwhelming I couldn’t even sit with a patient – and that completely shattered my confidence. I found myself cancelling appointments, second-guessing my professional judgment and feeling like I was losing the ability to do the job I loved.
“My symptoms started around 2018-2019 with night-time hot flushes, rising anxiety and increasing difficulty concentrating. By 2020, the anxiety had become so acute that I didn’t feel safe supporting patients because my thinking felt so clouded. Working from home during the pandemic, I felt pressure to ‘get on with it’, even as my symptoms escalated. I struggled to sit with high-risk patients, and at home I felt unusually anxious around my children.
“I knew something wasn’t right, but every time I tried to talk about it, it was brushed off as general anxiety or ‘just one of those things’. Even female colleagues and GPs suggested things like magnesium spray rather than exploring what was really happening. It left me feeling isolated, inadequate and convinced I was somehow falling apart.
“Getting proper menopause support was life changing. Speaking to a menopause specialist through Benenden Health one-to-one coaching was the first time someone truly listened. They explained the physical, hormonal changes behind my symptoms and gave me practical steps that actually worked. I was finally given the language to advocate for myself.
“Within 48 hours of starting HRT, the anxiety and brain fog lifted. It honestly felt like a curtain had been pulled back. That validation meant everything. No woman should be left feeling neurotic or alone when something as common as perimenopause is impacting her working life.”
Staying active is crucial, according to experts (Image: Getty)
Dr Pressland believes women shouldn’t carry the menopause burden on their own. “Employers and society have a responsibility to step up and play a critical role in creating environments where women feel supported rather than sidelined. Despite almost all (92%) employers believing they are meeting the needs of staff going through menopause, the reality for women often looks different with 40% unaware of any policies in their workplace,” she says.
Support
“Too many women are unsure who to speak to, or worried they will be judged, misunderstood or treated differently if they raise concerns. Employers should normalise conversations about menopause, in the same way they do other health issues, equip managers with training and the confidence to respond with empathy, offer practical tailored support such as flexible working, reasonable adjustments, access to health services and clear, visible polices.
“Often, small changes have a significant impact, enabling women to manage symptoms while continuing to progress in roles they’ve worked hard to achieve. With the right support in place, menopause doesn’t have to derail a career. Women can remain confident, productive and fulfilled at work, continuing to thrive. Supporting women through menopause isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s essential for retaining talent, often women at the height of their careers.”
Help for symptoms
- Get plenty of rest, including keeping to regular routines;
- Eat a healthy diet;
- Have calcium-rich food like milk, yogurt and kale to keep bones healthy;
- Exercise regularly – try including weight-bearing activities where your feet and legs support your weight like walking, running or dancing;
- Do relaxing things like yoga, tai chi or meditation;
- Talk to other people going through the same thing, like family, friends or colleagues;
- Chat to a doctor before taking herbal supplements or complementary medicines;
- Don’t smoke or drink more than your recommended limit.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
