The Silent Struggle: 7 in 10 Women Say Menopause Hurts Job Performance
Featured in:*
Menopause is one of the least discussed yet most disruptive workplace experiences for women, and new data from LiveCareer’s Working Through Menopause Report reveals just how deep the impact runs and the urgent need for menopause support at work.
In a survey of nearly 900 employed women in the U.S. who are currently experiencing or have gone through menopause, 69% say their symptoms significantly affect their job performance, and an overwhelming 97% feel pressure to hide or minimize what they’re going through at work.
Key Findings
- Nearly 7 in 10 women (69%) report that menopause symptoms significantly disrupt their work performance.
- Almost one-third (31%) have considered changing jobs or roles or reducing their hours due to menopause.
- 97% feel pressured to hide or downplay their symptoms at work.
- Among those who remain silent, company culture is the top reason for not discussing menopause at work.
Menopause Impacts Experienced, Mid-Career Professionals
The survey found that 91% of women begin experiencing symptoms before age 50, the same period many step into senior management or leadership roles. Here’s a breakdown of when symptoms began for women:
- Under 45: 38%
- 45 to 49: 53%
- 50 to 54: 7%
- 55 or older: 2%
What this means: At a stage when many women are growing their influence and leadership, menopause introduces complex challenges that reach far beyond their professional lives.
Top Symptoms Disrupting Work
Women report that the impact of menopause on work, like physical and cognitive symptoms, interferes with focus, productivity, and confidence on the job:
- Mood swings or anxiety: 61%
- Trouble focusing or staying productive: 60%
- Brain fog or memory lapses: 52%
- Sleep issues or fatigue: 46%
- Hot flashes or physical discomfort: 17%
- No symptoms: 3%
What this means: These symptoms don’t just affect physical comfort; they can erode confidence and concentration, making it harder for women to perform at their usual level—similar to the challenges working mothers encounter when managing professional and family demands.
Suffering in Silence
Despite struggling at work during menopause, many women feel pressure to hide or minimize their symptoms due to workplace stigma. A culture of silence and stigma leaves many midlife working women managing serious symptoms without support.
- 97% say they have felt pressure to hide or downplay menopause symptoms at work.
- Nearly one in three (31%) have considered changing jobs or roles or cutting back on their hours due to their symptoms.
- Among those who have chosen not to speak about menopause at work:
- 61% say their company culture doesn’t support those conversations.
- 61% fear being judged.
- 33% don’t think it’s relevant to discuss.
- 20% haven’t spoken up yet but plan to.
- 18% say they don’t trust HR.
What this means: When women feel unable to speak openly about menopause and work, they often carry the burden alone, which can affect both their well-being and engagement at their jobs.
For press inquiries, contact Elizabeth Buccianti, senior manager public relations, at elizabeth.buccianti@bold.com.
Methodology
The findings were obtained by surveying 898 working women in the U.S. who are experiencing or have gone through menopause. The poll obtained information about their direct experience working through menopause. The survey was conducted on September 18, 2025. Respondents answered different types of questions, including yes/no, open-ended, scale-based questions where participants indicated their level of agreement with statements, and multiple-choice where they could select from a list of provided options.
About LiveCareer
LiveCareer's online Resume Builder is designed to empower its users to get better jobs and improve their job search. A one-stop shop among AI resume builder tools, LiveCareer features cutting-edge resume templates, a powerful cover letter builder, and extensive free career resources to support job candidates in reaching their professional goals. Trusted by over 10 million users around the world, LiveCareer has been publishing expert advice from Certified Professional Resume Writers since 2005. LiveCareer’s career tips have been featured in renowned media outlets, including Bloomberg, Forbes, and Newsweek. Stay connected with LiveCareer's latest updates to improve your job search on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
