More than two-fifths (44%) of women said that they are comfortable discussing the menopause at work, according to new research by Serenova.
The women’s health and wellness supplement brand surveyed 1,000 UK women aged 30 and above who were perimenopausal, menopausal or post menopause.
Brain fog was the most common symptom experienced by respondents, with 45% stating this affected their work performance the most. This was followed by hot flushes (36%) anxiety (31%), mood swings (23%), low confidence (20%) and insomnia (19%).
Just 18% of women said that their place of work had a menopause policy.
Serenova reported that Google searches for menopause support have increased by 244% over the past year.
When asked what the government could do to further support women experiencing menopause, 50% stated that better education was key. A majority (18%) thought that this should start from the ages of 15 to 18 for women, while 81% agreed that male members of society should receive greater education around menopause and how they can better support the women in their lives.
Elle Sheppard, global head of marketing and communications at Serenova, said: “Too many people feel that discussing symptoms such as brain fog and hot flushes are taboo, while the low confidence that the menopause can bring, can often cause strong successful women to question themselves and miss out on professional opportunities. With the right support and understanding, many more women could reclaim and reframe this time in their lives.
“The government’s updated Menopause Action Plan guidance is a step in the right direction. As more large businesses turn their attention to the topic and put policies in place, it starts to create a level of awareness that can help to lift the menopause taboo. There will still be many women working at smaller organisations who may feel like they don’t know where to turn when they start experiencing menopause symptoms, and we believe that every woman, regardless of where she works, deserves to have robust menopause support in place.”
