For decades, menopause has remained one of the least discussed yet most impactful stages of women’s health.
Simply put, menopause is the time when menstrual periods stop permanently and marks the end of the reproductive stage for women. This can happen usually between ages of 45-55, and the years leading up to it are called perimenopause, with both stages bringing important changes to the body.
During perimenopause and menopause, women may experience a wide range of symptoms. These can include: hot flashes and night sweats, mood swings, anxiety or depression, difficulty sleeping, brain fog or trouble concentrating, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, as well as reduced energy and joint pains.
For some women, symptoms are mild. For others, they can last for years and greatly affect daily life, and work and job performance. A UK-based study revealed that three out of five working women experiencing menopause say it has a negative impact on their work.
Alarmingly, almost one in ten women have left jobs because of unmanaged symptoms, while many others have reduced their working hours or avoid promotion opportunities due to the challenges they face.
Despite its prevalence, this subject has long been surrounded by stigma, leaving many women to suffer in silence. While normal, menopause is often treated as a “silent” topic.
This silence, however, has perpetuated misconceptions and left women without adequate support.
Today, however, it is becoming an important women’s health issue, especially in the workplace and in healthcare. There are campaigns across the UK and US bringing the issue into the spotlight. Social media platforms, advocacy groups, and even celebrities are helping normalise conversations about menopause, empowering women to seek medical advice and workplace accommodations.
Yet stigma persists in many cultures, where discussing reproductive health is still taboo. In such settings, women may feel shame or embarrassment, preventing them from accessing care.
Beyond the workplace, healthcare systems are also under pressure to improve menopause care. Many women feel dismissed when they seek help, with their symptoms attributed to stress or ageing rather than hormonal changes.
Access to treatments—such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), lifestyle counselling, and mental health support—varies widely across countries as well as income levels.
However, more employers are beginning to recognise menopause as a workplace health and equity issue. Major companies have introduced menopause policies, including flexible working hours, access to counselling, and awareness training for managers.
For instance, Sony Music offers their employees same-day consultations with menopause specialists, personalised treatment plans, ongoing healthcare, and educational webinars.
Actress Naomi Watts launched a “Hotter Than Ever” campaign celebrating menopause as a time of empowerment. In her book “Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause,” she candidly shares experiences—from early perimenopause to battles against stigma in Hollywood—and brings attention to symptoms like dry skin, urinary tract infections, and gastrointestinal changes.
Even former US first lady Michelle Obama has spoken publicly (via her podcast) about using hormone therapy during menopause, describing how she experienced night sweats as early as in her thirties—including during her time aboard Marine One, the US presidential helicopter.
Still, progress remains uneven. Many workplaces lack even basic awareness of menopause’s impact. Without supportive environments, women will continue to experience career setbacks.
Talking openly about menopause is key. Women need access to good medical advice, supportive workplaces, and communities that understand their experiences. Menopause is not an illness—it is a natural stage of life. But with the right support, women can move through it with health, dignity, and confidence.
