A new survey has revealed that 28% of women have considered leaving the workforce altogether because of their hormone-related symptoms, highlighting the significant impact that menopause, perimenopause and hormone conditions including PMDD and PCOS/PMOS can have on workplace participation and staff retention.

The research was published today by Balance@Work as part of their Hormone Health at Work report, which aims to show how hormone-related symptoms may affect performance, participation, and career decisions in women long before they appear in workplace absence or attrition data.

Impact on careers

Among over 5,500 respondents in a survey distributed by Balance@Work, which brings together evidence-based workplace education, practical resources, manager training and clinician-led programmes around hormone health, and Balance app founder Dr Louise Newson, a huge 79% said their hormone-related symptoms had affected their work participation or career decisions, including changes to hours, flexibility, progression and whether to remain in employment at all.

Career progression was significantly affected, with a further 24% having already left a role or organisation due to hormone health, 26% had moved to a less demanding position, and 25% had even avoided applying for a promotion because of their symptoms.

Menopause in the workplace

The data also suggests that the effects of menopause in the workplace have worsened despite increased awareness, with previous estimates showing that in 2022, 1 in 10 women left work due to menopause.  Many may perceive this as just an issue that impacts menopausal women, but the data actually showed women of all ages are impacted by hormone health issues in the workplace. With over 10% of women aged 40-44 giving up a job due to hormone health problems, rising to 41% of women when they reach 65.

The day-to-day impact is equally stark. 76% of those in work said hormone-related symptoms stopped them performing at their best at least some of the time, with 60% describing the overall effect on their working life as significant or enormous. Yet the role of hormone health in workplace productivity, staff retention and overall workplace culture is rarely discussed. Indeed, the research also points to a significant gap in employer awareness and provision. 72% of respondents had never received hormone health training at work, and 51% were unaware of any workplace guidance or resources on the topic.

Awareness gaps

Whilst many workplace organisations may be aware of symptoms like hot flushes, this was not one of the most prominent symptoms that impacted women in the workplace. 87% of survey respondents reported brain fog as the most impactful, whilst 86% reported fatigue. 69% of women in the survey experienced anxiety and panic.

Whilst we know hormone-related symptoms hugely impact the workplace, the research also showed that access to the right hormone treatment can make a substantial difference.  Among those on HRT, 92% reported an improvement in their symptoms, with nearly half (49%) describing the change as significant. That carries through to work.

Among women on hormone treatment, 78% felt it was effectively addressing their symptoms, with a quarter reporting a significant improvement and just over half (53%) reporting it as somewhat effective. After starting treatment, 19% of these women went on to stay in a role they had been about to leave because of hormone-related symptoms, highlighting the potential benefits for staff retention, while on average, women rated their improvement in ability to work at 6.5 out of 10.

Financial impact

'The topic of hormone health and related symptoms in the workplace should be keeping CEOs awake at night,' said Sarah Davies, Managing Director of Balance@Work.

'We already know the financial impact of menopause on workplaces is staggering. Our findings show that hormone health is influencing performance, progression and retention throughout women’s working lives, often without appearing in the data employers routinely track,' she added.

Balance@Work

The findings coincide with the launch of the new Balance@Work platform, which brings together clinician-led education programmes, manager training and practical resources to provide employers with a joined-up approach to workplace hormone health. Partner organisations include the Metropolitan Police, United Utilities and Diageo.  

Click here to read the full findings.