New research on menopause highlights the need for inclusion and support in the workplace.
On International Women’s Day, research was published showing that almost three out of four women (74%) experience moderate to severe menopause symptoms, affecting their daily work and lives. Moreover, more than half of all women in a cross-sectional survey worry that their menopause symptoms make them seem less capable at work.
The research is a result of a collaboration between the independent nonprofit research institute SRI and Lisa Health, which spun out of SRI in 2020 to create technology solutions for women.
Lisa Health’s menopause app, Midday, is one of a growing number of apps and wearables designed to help menopausal women navigate the various menopause symptoms. The article “Tech can help you through menopause” lists a few other examples of devices that alleviate menopause symptoms.
TechTruster has also written about Lisa Health before, in Danish.
Gap between needs and action
The survey, based on 351 working women aged 40 to 66, highlights an often-overlooked aspect of menopause in the workplace and inclusivity: how menopause impacts women’s careers and well-being
“There is a notable gap between desired workplace measures — such as formal menopause policies, managerial training, and digital solutions — and their implementation,” said Massimiliano de Zambotti, PhD, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Lisa Health and senior researcher at SRI, according to a post on sri.com.
“The results underscore an urgent need for increased awareness and structural changes to better support menopausal women in the workforce. Addressing these challenges enhances gender equity and contributes to the overall well-being of employees,” Zambotti added.
Exhaustion-driven resignations as a result of menopause in the workplace
On top of navigating menopause symptoms at work and worries about whether their colleagues perceive them as less capable, 54% of the survey participants balance child or ageing parent demands.
These combined burdens increase the risk of high levels of exhaustion, resulting in low efficiency. Not surprisingly, women experiencing menopausal symptoms more often than others consider leaving their workplace. The research team hopes their work will make employers more aware of their menopausal employees’ challenges and create a more inclusive, supportive, and thriving work environment for all.
Proactive steps by employees
“Empowering menopausal women in the workplace is essential for their career progression and overall job satisfaction. Employers are becoming more aware of the unique challenges this demographic faces and are taking proactive steps to address them,” said Fiona Baker, head of the Human Sleep Research lab at SRI, on sri.com. We are excited to drive meaningful change for women in the workforce. Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future.”
The research team that conducted the study included experts in women’s health, menopause, occupational psychology, physiology, obstetrics, and gynaecology.
“This significant research collaboration between SRI and Lisa Health highlights the power of collaboration in driving impactful change,” said Ann Garnier, co-founder and CEO of Lisa Health on sri.com. “By bringing together scientific research and women’s health advocacy, we are laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and supportive work environment for menopausal women.”
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