Menopause support gaps leave women considering exit from workforce 

Three in five women aged 45 to 60 have considered leaving their job due to a lack of menopause support, according to new analysis from neuromodulation company Nurosym, highlighting the continued impact menopause is having on workforce participation, retention and wellbeing.  

The analysis found that while three-quarters of women experience menopause symptoms, many continue to hide the impact they are having at work. The phenomenon, known as “menopause masking”, describes the effort women make to conceal symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, fatigue and memory difficulties in order to appear as though they are coping normally.  

Nurosym’s analysis suggests this hidden burden may be contributing to women stepping back at a time when many are at the peak of their careers. One in 10 women aged 40 to 55 said they had already left a job because of menopause symptoms, while 14 per cent had reduced their hours or moved to part-time work and 8 per cent had avoided pursuing promotions.  

The findings come as employers continue to grapple with rising levels of economic inactivity and long-term sickness. Around four million women aged 45 to 55 are currently in the UK workforce, broadly aligning with the most common age range for menopause.  

Workplace support remains limited, according to the analysis, with four in five women aged 45 to 55 reporting that their employer does not offer basic menopause support. At the same time, stigma appears to remain a significant barrier. Almost half (47 per cent) of women who had taken time off work because of menopause symptoms said they would not tell their employer the real reason for their absence.  

Dr Elisabetta Burchi, Head of Research at Nurosym, said: “Menopause remains culturally stigmatised, and this stigma shapes how women themselves respond to it. Many mask their experience, appearing composed while suppressing symptoms and concealing physical and emotional distress. Left unaddressed and misunderstood, this silent burden can erode emotional resilience and cognitive function, ultimately holding women back from their full potential.”  

The analysis also found that three-quarters of women do not feel well informed about menopause, despite the NHS recognising more than 30 potential symptoms spanning physical, cognitive and emotional health.  

For employers, the findings add to growing evidence that menopause is no longer simply a wellbeing issue, but a workforce challenge linked to retention, progression and performance. Previous research from the British Menopause Society has found that menopause symptoms can negatively affect work for nearly half of women experiencing them, while concerns around confidence, concentration and career progression continue to feature prominently in workplace discussions.  

Dr Burchi said menopause should be viewed as a broader health and prevention issue rather than solely a symptom management challenge. 

“Menopause represents a profound physiological and psychological change in a woman’s life. However, the perimenopausal transition can also become a critical window to engage women in comprehensive preventive strategies addressing cardiovascular, metabolic, bone and cognitive health.”  

As organisations increasingly focus on retaining experienced talent and supporting workforce health, the findings raise questions about whether current workplace approaches are keeping pace with the realities facing midlife women.