To Our Women Who Are Always Working, 

If there's one thing many of us have experienced over the course of the last year and a half, it's that the boundaries between work and life are constantly in flux. For some, work from home posed new challenges. For many, those challenges were exacerbated by kids, remote learning, caring for elderly parents and family members, and any number of other unforeseen factors.

For those of us who are in menopause, those blurred lines aren't anything new. Whether we're in the boardroom, the break room, or our own bedrooms, we've juggled menopause concerns while being in our very best working years. And for some, we might also be facing the added  layers of ageism and sexism into that equation as we continue to experience new challenges as we age in the workforce.

Our goal at Kindra has always been to open up the conversation around menopause and to help women who are experiencing its varied and visceral manifestations. In thinking about how we are returning to the office, whether it's on-screen or at the water cooler, we wanted to create a guide to help you navigate the workplace, feel your best, and advocate for what you need.

BY THE NUMBERS

of women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms say it has an impact on them at work

62%

of women aren’t telling their employers that they are experiencing symptoms of menopause, even when the symptoms are causing them to miss work

70%

58%

of women have taken sick days because of menopause symptoms

90%

of workplaces are not offering support for those experiencing menopause

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Girlfriends & Guidance

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The Challenges of Working Through Menopause

80% Sleep Disturbances

In fact, a survey conducted in 2019 also revealed that up to 900,000 women left the United Kingdom’s workforce due to menopausal symptoms. All of which makes the surge in Instagram feeds, books, and podcasts that address women’s working-while-menopausal struggles not even a little bit surprising (and very welcome indeed).

MENTAL & PHYSICAL CHALLENGES THAT IMPACT WORK PRODUCTIVITY THE MOST DURING MENOPAUSE

78% Mood Swings

Perimenopausal changes to your cycle typically start about four years before menopause, which most women reach around age 51. That means that many women start experiencing symptoms including mood swings, sleep disruptions, hot flashes, vaginal dryness and discomfort, and brain fog in their 40s, which is exactly when women hit their peak earning years.

Research recently conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that 62% of women who have menopausal symptoms say that their work has been affected and a third of menopausal women hide symptoms from their employers due to stigma and embarrassment.

75% Anxiety

75% Brain Fog

52% Joint Pain

It’s time for women to stop hiding menopausal symptoms at work, and for workplaces to support women during this life stage with similar care as we do for other phases of life’s journey. “We've used modern medicine to extend the quantity of women’s lives,” concludes Faught. “And now it’s time to focus on the quality of life during those years.”

PERMISSION TO MENOPAUSE

According to Brooke Faught, a nurse practitioner and the clinical director of the Women’s Institute for Sexual Health in Nashville, TN, women can absolutely continue to be as productive as they were before menopause with simple adjustments and extra support. “Addressing the symptoms and providing proper intervention can help women attain their best efficacy and output,” she explains. 

But how do you kickstart that for yourself and your own work environment? Here are our suggestions:

How to Make Your Work a More Comfortable Place

NORMALIZE TALKING ABOUT MENOPAUSE AT WORK

Let's move away from all the secrecy and embarrassment for something every woman goes through, and move towards transparency, ally ship, and mentoring. If you're in a leadership position at work, speak out loud about your experiences to prompt change. We know it might be uncomfortable at first, but you have an opportunity to support other women looking for a hand during this transition. If you dictate policy, open conversations that advocate for formal menopause guidelines, flexible work options, and onsite modifications that support people managing this new phase of life

Menopause diets are everywhere, but what's right for you? Consider dietary changes like limiting caffeine and increasing Omega-3 fatty acids, or other strategies aimed at your wellbeing: regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and meditation.

NOURISH YOURSELF

FIND SUPPORT

Menopause is easier with friends and support. Leverage your employee benefits and ask for a list of local women's health clinics, naturopaths, or health educators. If you are an employer, offer your team access to menopause educators or a session with a Health Coach or Certified Menopause Practitioner.

MODEL EMPATHY

Know a colleague or supervisor dealing with menopause at work? Cut them some slack. You may not fully understand what they're going through, but you can recognize how it might be having an impact. As a result, folks may be more likely to provide empathy when it's your turn.

From beating hot flashes to tackling brain fog, head to our Journal for resources to help you settle back into the work.

Tips to Thrive as You Work

BRAIN FOG

Managing Brain Fog at Work

Could This Be Menopause?

ABOUT MENOPAUSE

HOT FLASHES

Managing Hot Flashes at Work

Press Pause, Stay Present

Menopause can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when coupled with the stresses of work. Take a moment to pause, whether it’s through meditation, mindfulness, or simply deep breathing.

MEDITATION

Ice and Beach

MEDITATION

5-Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere