More than half of women going through menopause report being adversely affected by it whilst at work, and a quarter do not discuss these issues with their employer due to the persisting stigma, a new study reveals.
Menopause is a natural part of ageing that occurs when a woman stops menstruating, usually between 45 and 55 years, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Hot flashes, fatigue, night sweats, palpitations, physical discomfort and insomnia are some of the symptoms that come alongside it.
Menopausal symptoms can appear as early as 40 years old, with 1% of women experiencing symptoms at an even younger age. The change is gradual and women may continue to menstruate for up to 5-10 years after the first signs begin to show. The transition period, known as perimenopause, lasts four years on average.
In Belgium, one in three working woman are menopausal, according to a new study conducted by the University of Gent (UGent) and HR services provider Securex. The study surveyed 2,408 female workers in Belgium.
87% of those experiencing menopause said that it affects them in the workplace and 55% said that it hampers their work. The study revealed that menopausal women need more time to recover after being at work and are at greater risk of burnout.
Still a taboo
A culture of silence around menopause perpetuates these issues in the workplace. "If a woman's work is hindered by menopausal symptoms, it should not be shrugged off neither by the employee nor by the employer," said occupational physician at Securex, Philippe Kiss. "Menopausal symptoms can be managed, and workload and organisation can be adapted to reduce discomfort."
The survey highlighted that menopause is still a taboo in the workplace in Belgium. Seven in ten respondents said that they do not know whether they can discuss menopause with their employer. 23% of women experiencing menopausal symptoms stated that menopause cannot be discussed in the workplace.
In Belgium, there are no records on the number of women going through menopause or the discomforts they experience, Le Soir reports. According to 2022 data from the National Office of Social Security, there are over 1.1 million female workers in Belgium who are 40 years or over. They account for 56% of women who work and make up 27% of the entire labour force.
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The lack of accommodation for women experiencing menopausal symptoms in the workplace is part of a bigger picture. The WHO considers that raising awareness about menopause, access to information and to services that alleviate symptoms are a "significant challenge" around the world.
"It suggests that we have a high cultural tolerance for women's suffering," University of Pittsburgh professor Rebecca Thurston told the New York Times in a report about the lack of access to treatment for menopausal symptoms. "It's not regarded as important."
