More than half of women say they’re “not prepared at all” for perimenopause or menopause—yet most are already feeling the effects at work
According to recent data from InHerSight, a careers platform for women,76% say hormonal shift symptoms affect their work regularly—multiple days per month or more
The list of symptoms is long and disruptive: brain fog, exhaustion, joint pain, hot flashes, memory loss, poor concentration, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and so on. But many say these symptoms remain unaccommodated by their workplaces
“A big misconception is that hormonal symptoms are ‘personal issues’ rather than workplace-relevant performance factors,” says Dr. Diana Hoppe, a board-certified ob-gyn who has spent three decades helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause. “Brain fog, poor sleep, and fatigue directly impact focus, decision-making, and productivity. Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away; it reduces performance and retention.”
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The costs are significant, too—to companies’ bottom line and to women’s careers. Symptoms often result in an uptick in sick and personal days, contributing to an estimated$1.8 billion in lost work time annually. And because perimenopause typically begins at a peak influence age—the mid-to-late 40s—women experiencing symptoms can lose ground during the years when they’re in positions they’ve worked hard to reach
Still, there’s hope. While there is no universal solution to make working through hormonal shifts easier—every body is different— a combination of daily habits and workplace support can make a significant difference in women’s lives
These habits can help you function at work
You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through the workday. With the right habits, you can work with your body instead of against it. Let’s tackle your main distractors, symptom by symptom
