Menopause symptoms have a huge impact on women in the workplace and on the businesses that employ them. It was the subject of my latest book, Working Through Menopause: The Impact on Women, Businesses, and the Bottom Line.

The Society of Women’s Health Research (SWHR) recently published a survey on this topic that Dr. Sharon Seibel and I had the privilege of helping develop.

Below are some of the highlights of that survey, which is called the Employee Perspectives and challenges concerning the Transition of Menopause (EMPACT Menopause) Study. The study highlights some of the far-reaching economic, social, and health care implications during their working years.

Here is information about the women who responded…

Participants in this international study were predominantly from the United States and were 77 percent white.

The respondents were from a variety of workplace industries…

Four menopause symptoms were particularly bothersome: Sleep, brain fog, weight gain, and mood swings…

And as you might expect, these menopause symptoms had a significant impact on work:

The survey also found that menopause is uncomfortable for supervisors as well as the women experiencing menopause. Overwhelmingly, companies do not have menopause-specific policies or resources.

All of this affects midlife women’s career-related decisions…

As you can see, menopause symptoms have a significant impact on women in the workplace and upon the workplace itself. We are just at the beginning of creating a workplace environment that will help midlife women in their workplace experience. And that will help improve employee satisfaction, retention, performance and reduce absenteeism.

More information on this topic is available in Working Through Menopause: The Impact on Women, Businesses and The Bottom Line.

Click Here to contact Dr. Mache for interviews, menopause coaching, or for consultation.