Menopause, women and the workplace

This invited review is a synthesis of a plenary lecture presented at International Menopause Society Conference in Melbourne 2024. The focus was to set the historic context within which research about women in the workplace must be approached. It is exciting for occupational health researchers to see expansion of the evidence about health and work but we urge menopause and work researchers to collaborate with occupational health colleagues. The growing literature suggests that most women do not experience problems coping with their menopause in the workplace. Most research, however, fails to consider any workplace factors or even the nature of the job women are needing to do. Where studies have focused on occupational groups, they have focused on nurses or other professional/leadership groups. So far, it appears that women’s ability to cope is influenced by the number of symptoms, severity of symptoms, and workplace and personal psychosocial factors. However, the problems with coping may be greater for disadvantaged women doing less well-paid work with less flexibility and autonomy. The same women probably have less access to appropriate advice, treatment and support. Researchers must focus on women at highest risk and take a nuanced approach to optimize support without increasing gender-based discrimination.