The menopause or perimenopause has a negative impact on nearly 69 per cent of working women, according to MetLife UK.
The research by MetLife UK, which examined the views of 355 women who are currently working full or part-time and have either gone through or are currently going through either perimenopause or menopause, found that that the average age at which women say they have gone through or are currently going through perimenopause or menopause is 41.
It found that over a quarter or 23 per cent of people have had to stay late at work to make up for time missed at work because of symptoms or medical appointments.
The study also revealed that early 65 per cent of people who have gone through or are currently going through menopause or perimenopause find it awkward to discuss it with their workplace, according to MetLife UK.
The most common symptoms can include:
- Mood changes/low mood – 65%
- Hot flushes/excessive sweating/night sweats – 65%
- Difficulty sleeping – 62%
- Headaches – 50%
- Memory and concentration – 45%
- Joint stiffness/aches and pains – 40%
- Anxiety/panic attacks – 38%
- Frequent urination – 35%
- Hair thinning/loss – 33%
- Palpitations – 28%
MetLife UK head of HR Amy Tomlinson says: “The mental and physical symptoms of both perimenopause and menopause can be incredibly debilitating, not just for the individual but also for those around them. At home this can manifest itself in the form of sleepless nights, night sweats and hot flushes throughout the day, mood swings. It can also lead to poor diet/lifestyle choices.
“And at work, on top of those symptoms, female employees may also suffer from an inability to recall as much detailed information in a short space of time, which can lead them feeling burned out or overworked if they feel they need to compensate during out-of-work hours. It truly can be a vicious circle, particularly if you haven’t got a loved one or professional to lean on.”
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