Menopause

The menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, but it can also be a source of difficulties and discomfort at work. Since every woman experiences menopause differently, a personalized, non-stigmatizing approach is very important. Download the PDF brochure about Menopause.

Over the summer, we conducted a survey to examine the impact of the menopause in the professional environment. What emerges is that for the majority of women surveyed, menopause remains a largely taboo subject in the world of work.

Daring to talk about the menopause

Our survey reveals that 87% of these women have never discussed the menopause with their occupational physician. The main reason is that they don’t know that they can do so, or that they don’t dare talk about it.

What do these women expect?

64% of them think that this is a subject that should also be addressed in the workplace. They want employers to be more aware and informed, so that they can better understand the difficulties they may encounter.

To be more precise, 63% of these women think that menopausal symptoms have an impact on their work. Above all, they expect a better understanding and more support.

Overall, 70% of these women believe that their occupational health service has an important role to play in raising awareness among employers and employees.

Actions to raise awareness of the menopause

Practical measures can be taken to raise awareness of the menopause:

• Brochures or information sheets for employers and employees;
• Managers training and employees on the challenges of the menopause in the workplace;
• If necessary, offer support to the women concerned.

The role of the occupational health service

The aim of the ASTF is to promote well-being and quality of life at work, but also to prevent psychosocial risks and situations of discrimination linked to age or gender.

Better understanding of the menopause by the professional environment should enable those affected to reconcile their professional and personal lives more effectively. It is therefore important to break the taboo surrounding this subject and ensure a caring, inclusive working environment that is conducive to women’s health.

The menopause is not an illness, but a stage of life that deserves to be recognised and respected.