Perimenopause, menopause symptoms may cost employees nearly 35 workdays a year

Perimenopause and menopause, natural stages that occur as hormone levels decrease, may disrupt the work lives of those experiencing symptoms more significantly than previously recognized. These transitions often involve various issues such as hot flashes, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cognitive fog, and they can significantly impact a person's job performance.

A survey conducted by Womea, a midlife medicine platform, revealed that 87% of employed women aged 45 and over who experienced perimenopause or menopause symptoms reported that these symptoms directly affected their job performance in the past year. The most common symptoms linked to work disruptions were sleep disruption and fatigue (63%), brain fog and concentration difficulties (58%), and anxiety or irritability (48%).

Particularly challenging for many were tasks requiring multitasking (51%) and complex analysis or problem-solving (40%). On average, the women surveyed lost about an hour each workday, which equates to roughly 276 hours of lost work annually, adding up to nearly 35 workdays over a year. Women affected by these transitions feel the consequences of lost time too, with nearly one in six (17%) reporting that they missed out on promotions, raises, or high-visibility projects due to their symptoms.

Moreover, 52% said that their symptoms made them doubt their capabilities or felt judged based on their symptoms, rather than their actual abilities. Though perimenopause and menopause affect about 75% to 85% of menstruating individuals, only a small percentage seek medical help. In a 2025 Mayo Clinic survey involving 5,000 women, over a third (34%) experienced moderate to severe symptoms, but more than 80% didn't seek medical care.

According to the lead author of the study, Ekta Kapoor, endocrinologist and menopause specialist at Mayo Clinic, "Menopause is universal for women at midlife, the symptoms are common and disruptive, yet few women are receiving care that could help them." This lack of care has real consequences for women's health and quality of life, making it crucial to address this issue more proactively.

The survey also showed that 60% of respondents hadn't disclosed their symptoms to their employers, and 89% said their workplaces lacked policies to support them during this major life change. Many women avoided talking about their experiences due to a belief that it wasn't their employer's business (60%) or concerns about facing judgment or personal stigma.