Menopause and work fact sheet

How menopause can impact you at work

Many women in the workforce feel that menopausal symptoms impact their work.

Symptoms might include:

• hot flushes
• joint aches and pains
• sleep problems
• trouble concentrating, forgetfulness or brain fog
• feeling irritable or frustrated
• fatigue
• feeling like you can’t cope as well as you used to
• anxiety.

These symptoms can make you feel self-conscious and less confident in your abilities. But with the right support you can continue to work at the same pace and achieve your goals.

What you can do

There are many things you can do to reduce the impact of menopause at work.

• If symptoms affect your life and work, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
• If you feel comfortable, talk to your manager about how symptoms impact your work and what might help. You can also ask if they offer an employee assistance program.
• Discuss flexible working conditions, for example, reducing your workload, working different hours or working from home.
• Talk to other women at work – you’re probably not alone.

Tips for managing menopause at work

• If you feel anxious at work, it might help to go for a walk and get some fresh air. You can also practise mindfulness and meditation during your breaks.
• To help you remember important things, you can:
  • use checklists
  • write daily to-do lists
  • set up calendar reminders
  • block out time in your diary for tasks.
• Keep cool with air conditioning, a fan or a water spritzer. You can also drink iced water and wear breathable layers that are easy to remove.