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The Effects of Menopause on Work Performance

Each year, over 2 million women reach menopause in the United States. By 2018, it is expected that about 31 million women who fall between the menopausal age range will be employed. The conversation regarding menopause in the workplace is relatively new, which leaves many women struggling with this issue while feeling under-supported by their employers.

Some women experience lighter symptoms, while many other women take time off of work to manage their heavier symptoms. About half of women who take time off of work do not disclose the true reason behind their leave. Women who experience heavier symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and memory loss may also experience an exacerbation of these symptoms due to hot flashes during the night that lead to disturbance and result in a lack of sleep. Managing these symptoms while at work can have a significant impact on the work performance of a pre-menopausal and menopausal woman. Many women experience not being able to fully focus during important meetings and conversation, feeling fearful that because of their preoccupation with symptoms they might have lower functioning oral skills to present well, and loss of work time for those who find it necessary to take time off.

While symptoms of menopause have a direct impact on the work performance of a woman, the stigma behind the subject is another obstacle many women face that can affect them at their workplace. Fear of being discriminated against and stereotyped for being "old" leads many women to experience symptoms of anxiety in the workplace, and can lead many women to not seek the help they need. For women whose supervisors and managers are either younger than them or male, there is an added barrier to discussing their needs. The implications of pre-menopausal and menopausal women's difficulties and barriers to obtaining necessary aide and support leads many women to feel less committed to their work and employers, generally less engaged at work, and less satisfied with their jobs.

The age of onset for pre-menopausal and menopausal symptoms ranges from 49 to 52 years of age, however it is possible for women to experience symptoms at an earlier age. Typically, the age range of menopause coincides with a person's middle age years. This imposes an added layer of difficulties in a pre-menopausal and/or menopausal woman's life as she might also be facing issues of divorce, finances, parental loss, reflection on career and life satisfaction, and other biological changes like new food sensitivities and changes in sleep pattern.