The majority of working women said they felt a responsibility to educate younger people about perimenopause and menopause to help them prepare, according to research from MetLife UK.
This research found hat the average age at which women start to notice symptoms of the perimenopause or menopause is 41.
In total almost nine out of 10 (87 per cent) of women who have been through the menopause said they feel a “natural responsibility” to discuss this with children or younger people, highlighting the fact that this has previously been a taboo subject, particularly in the workplace.
MetLife UK says it hope this research will raise further awareness of the issues experienced by women – both in and out the workplace – and encourage employers and managers to assess the level of health and wellbeing support available.
Most organisations will have some form of employee assistance programme (EAP), offering resources to improve sickness absence, which can also offer support to those experiencing perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
While the average age at which women say they have gone or are currently going through perimenopause or menopause is 41, almost two in five (39 per cent) are under 40. The main symptoms cited by women in this survey included changes in mood/low mood (65 per cent), hot flushes/excessive sweating/night sweats (65 per cent), difficulty sleeping (62 per cent), headaches (50 per cent) and memory and concentration issues (45 per cent).
Other symptoms noted included joint stiffness/aches and pains (40 per cent), anxiety/panic attacks (38 per cent), frequent urination (35 per cent), hair thinning/loss (33 per cent),and palpitations (28 per cent).
Despite going through perimenopause or menopause and experiencing symptoms, one in 10 women admitted they haven’t talked to anyone about it yet.
MetLIfe UK employee benefits director Adrian Matthews says: “Despite being a natural part of life, perimenopause and menopause remain a taboo subject. And one that as a society we still feel uncomfortable talking about.
“Although it’s a difficult and deeply personal subject that people understandably may not wish to discuss, perimenopause and menopause symptoms can take hold much earlier than what people would traditionally expect. And many symptoms can have a significant impact on people’s day to day lives, especially in the world of work.
“Together we must create an environment where people feel comfortable opening up, whilst encouraging people of all ages to talk about it.”