Menopause is finally getting the spotlight

Half the world’s population will experience menopause, but it’s often treated like a taboo topic. Why is there so much stigma attached to the menopause transition? It’s time to treat it like the normal life stage it is.

When reproductive hormone levels decline, perimenopause and menopause are natural processes that all women and people assigned female at birth’s bodies undergo. Perimenopause typically begins in a person’s 40’s with symptoms lasting a few months to ten years; menopause occurs when a person hasn’t had a period for 12 months.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 41 million women over 40 are currently in the labor force. That means menopause-age women account for 26% of the workforce or 55% of all working women. According to a study from the Society for Endocrinology, a startling one in four women will experience serious menopause systems. In fact, global productivity losses tied to difficulties coping with menopause symptoms at work are estimated at $150 billion US per year. A Mayo Clinic study estimates menopause costs an $1.8 billion in lost work time per year and $26.6 billion annually when medical expenses are added. It’s clear there are massive workplace implications.

Menopause is a critical issue — for women and for employers.

Despite that, menopause is not openly discussed in professional settings, and only 20% tell employers or coworkers that they are going through this life stage. Menopause often impacts women during a critical senior leadership career stage: the average age for menopause to occur is 51 and the average age of CEOs in the U.S. is 54 years, for CFOs is 49 years. Since the menopause transition typically lasts between seven and 14 years, millions of women are coming into management and top leadership roles while experiencing mild to severe menopause symptoms like physical discomfort, sleep deprivation, and cognitive impairment.

There are a myriad of menopause-related symptoms, but the most common are:

• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in sex drive
• Trouble concentrating
• Hair loss
• Fast heart rate
• Urinary problems

These symptoms can be extremely disrupting. In fact, as many as 40% of menopausal women say their symptoms interfered with their work performance or productivity weekly, and nearly one in five have quit or considered quitting because of their symptoms, according to a survey from Biote. When those issues go unaddressed, they affect a company’s bottom line.

Unfortunately there’s a shortage of trained providers. Only 9% of medical schools offer courses and electives in women’s health and just 20% of OB/GYN residency programs provide any type of menopause training. Women can go without treatment when inaccessible care is compounded by an unspoken expectation to “tough it out.”

There is effective treatment available, for example, a low-dose birth control pill can control bleeding issues and ease hot flashes and night sweats. Lifestyle changes — like avoiding alcohol and caffeine — can also help some women. Prescription medications also could help, such as antidepressants for mood issues Low-dose hormone replacement therapy helps many women, too. Although the therapy can increase cancer risk and should be discussed with a trained healthcare provider, the risks are minimal among women under 60.

Chief Medical Officer of Hello Alpha and trained OB/GYN Dr. Mary Jacobson hopes that women will advocate for themselves. “There’s a history of misinformation and lack of information on menopause but we need to empower women to get the care they need and deserve,” she says.

Hello Alpha was founded after CEO Gloria Lau experienced extreme difficulty navigating the healthcare system. “The effort, time, and mental and financial wherewithal needed to see my healthcare needs met was staggering. As I shared my experiences with fellow mothers, working women, and even healthcare providers, the picture of our broken system became clearer. So did the incredible strength and perseverance of all the women I spoke with.” That’s the story of why Hello Alpha was created: to rebuild a system that addresses women’s unique health needs.

Although menopause is still something of a taboo subject, progress is being made. As more and more employers support their female employees, there will be huge improvements. Dr. Jacobson says, “Many have difficult experiences with the vulnerabilities, physical challenges, and mental struggles that accompany menopause. Women should not have to suffer. With every person who speaks openly about menopause, we can normalize this natural life stage and enable women to thrive.”