On World Menopause Day, the INMO has published results of a member survey on experiences of the menopause, in which most respondents (82%) stated they had considered leaving work due to menopausal symptoms, with more than 1 in 10 (12%) of respondents already leaving or having left their profession as a result.
While 85% of respondents stated that they were in early stages of menopause, perimenopause or post-menopause, almost half (47.8%) of respondents said that they were not at all prepared for menopause, and 16% stated they had no education or information at all with regard to menopause.
The impact on quality of life was also measured, with 18% of respondents stating that their symptoms of menopause were severe or debilitating, and 90% stating that these symptoms affected them at work, while 42% stated they had missed more than 5 days of work as a result.
The survey also highlighted the impact of stigma in the workplace, with almost two-thirds (62.9%) of respondents stating they did not inform their employer of the reason for this absence, and 37% reporting they would not feel confident discussing menopause with their line manager.
