Workplace expectations continue to evolve, and the UK’s new push for corporate Menopause Action Plans signals a shift in how employers respond to midlife health. LiveCareer UK’s Working Through Menopause Report shows just how deep the stigma runs. 

The report reveals that unmanaged symptoms are taking a severe professional toll, with 69% of surveyed women finding their job performance heavily impacted and 97% feeling forced to mask what they are going through on the job.

The UK Landscape

Look around almost any office, hospital, or shop floor across the UK, and you’ll see women over 50 driving the workforce forward. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), they are currently one of the fastest-growing groups in the British labour market. 

But there’s an issue: because of the lingering workplace stigma and a lack of day-to-day support, the UK is losing an estimated 14 million working days every single year to the menopause. That translates to a £1.88 billion annual hit to the economy in lost productivity, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum and the UK Government. Behind those numbers are highly experienced professionals who feel their best option is to call in sick, reduce their hours, or step back from their careers entirely.

Key Findings

  • Over two-thirds (69%) of respondents acknowledge that menopause symptoms significantly hinder their daily work performance.
  • Nearly a third (31%) have debated resigning, switching roles, or dropping their hours because of their symptoms.
  • 97% feel forced to mask or downplay what they are experiencing while on the job.
  • For those choosing to stay silent, an unsupportive company culture is the leading barrier to speaking up.

Menopause Impacts Experienced, Mid-Career Professionals

The survey found that 91% of women begin experiencing symptoms before age 50, the same period many step into senior management or leadership roles. Here’s a breakdown of when symptoms began for women:

  • Under 45 – 38%
  • 45 to 49 – 53%
  • 50 to 54 – 7%
  • 55 or older – 2%

What this means: Just as many women are stepping into senior leadership, management, or director roles, they are hit with complex health challenges that reach far beyond their working life.

Top Symptoms Disrupting Work

Women report that the impact of menopause on work, like physical and cognitive symptoms, interferes with focus, productivity, and confidence on the job:

  • Mood swings or anxiety – 61%
  • Trouble focusing or staying productive – 60%
  • Brain fog or memory lapses – 52%
  • Sleep issues or fatigue – 46%
  • Hot flashes or physical discomfort – 17%

Only 3% reported experiencing no symptoms.

What this means: Beyond physical discomfort, the most common challenges women report are cognitive and emotional. Symptoms like brain fog and anxiety may directly affect women’s ability to concentrate or perform at their usual level. 

Suffering in Silence

Despite struggling at work during menopause, many women feel pressure to hide or minimize their symptoms due to workplace stigma. A culture of silence and stigma leaves many midlife working women managing serious symptoms without support.

  • 97% say they have felt pressure to hide or downplay menopause symptoms at work.
  • Nearly one in three (31%) have considered changing jobs or roles or cutting back on their hours due to their symptoms.
  • Among those who have chosen not to speak about menopause at work:
    • 61% say their company culture doesn’t support those conversations.
    • 61% fear being judged.
    • 33% don’t think it’s relevant to discuss.
    • 20% haven’t spoken up yet but plan to.
    • 18% say they don’t trust HR.

What this means: When women feel unable to speak openly about menopause and work, they often carry the burden alone, which can affect both their well-being and engagement at their jobs. 

Methodology

The findings were obtained by surveying 898 working women in the U.S. who are experiencing or have gone through menopause. The poll obtained information about their direct experience working through menopause. The survey was conducted on September 18, 2025. Respondents answered different types of questions, including yes/no, open-ended, scale-based questions where participants indicated their level of agreement with statements, and multiple-choice where they could select from a list of provided options.

Sources