There needs to be more conversations about menopause to keep women in the workforce

According to the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), menopause costs women more than $17 billion per year in lost earnings and superannuation. AIST, the peak body for the $1.6 trillion profit-to-member super sector, said recent British studies indicated up to a quarter of menopausal women experienced debilitating symptoms leading to long-term absences from work or forcing them into early retirement.

“The statistics do not surprise me. We know that in Australia 80% of women experience menopausal symptoms that can range from mild to extremely severe. Many women have had to resign, reduce their hours, or go part time because these symptoms can last up to ten years,” says Janet Michelmore AO, CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. The national not-for-profit organisation has been a leader in the field of menopause and women’s health for 30 years.

“With October being World Menopause Month, it’s time to increase awareness that menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life. Important conversations and increased education for women and their health practitioners around menopause have to become the norm,” says Ms Michelmore.

“Management and treatment options for menopause are available. The Jean Hailes website is a rich source of expert-reviewed and recently updated menopause information, with fact sheets, booklets, podcasts and videos. We need to break taboos around the topic of menopause and encourage women, their partners and families, and workplaces to acknowledge this life stage and talk more openly about it. We need to find options and uncover more ways to keep women in the workplace so they can contribute to society and the economy as they wish to.”