For far too long, menopause has been a taboo subject, surrounded by silence and misinformation. Research shows that the lack of open discussion, combined with insufficient information, prevents many women from disclosing their menopausal status. As a result, employers may often be unaware of the challenges women face and miss the opportunity to offer necessary support in the workplace. Executive coaching is a powerful tool that can empower women through menopause.
Menopause in the Workplace: The Unseen Struggle
Every woman’s experience with menopause is unique, with symptoms varying in duration, severity, and impact. While physical symptoms like hot flashes and fatigue are widely recognized, the mental and emotional effects—such as mood swings, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties—are equally challenging. For women in executive positions, balancing high-stakes responsibilities with these complex symptoms can feel overwhelming.
According to research from Menopause and the Workplace (2022), one in ten women have left a job due to menopausal symptoms, and eight in ten report that their employer has not provided adequate support. The numbers reveal a stark reality:
- 14 million working days are lost annually due to menopause-related symptoms.
- Three in five menopausal women, typically aged between 45 and 55, report negativeeffects at work (CIPD, 2019).
- Black and ethnic minority women face compounded challenges, dealing withmenopause alongside the added stress of racism and cultural stigmas around “secrecy and shame.” (Menopause and the Workplace 2022)
The Cost of Silence: Loss of Talent and Productivity
The consequences of this lack of support are significant. Nearly 60% of women have taken time off work due to menopausal symptoms, with 18% taking two months or more. Half of those women resigned or took early retirement (Newson, 2021). Long-term absences to manage symptoms average 32 weeks, damaging careers and causing substantial productivity losses for businesses (Bupa). More concerning, 8 in 10 menopausal women say their workplace lacks basic support (Fawcett Society, 2022). This leads to a loss of valuable knowledge and experience while widening the gender pay gap, deepening the pensions gap,
and reducing the number of women in leadership roles.
Understanding Menopause’s Mental and Emotional Toll
While physical symptoms are well-known, the mental and emotional toll of menopause—such as anxiety, mood swings, and cognitive difficulties—remains underexplored. For women in executive roles, these issues can feel particularly destabilizing.
The SWAN study shows that the impact of menopause is not experienced equally, with disparities in symptoms and access to care for women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Black and Asian women face additional barriers, as cultural pressures and stigmas often prevent them from discussing menopause openly. This secrecy can lead to isolation and increased emotional strain during an already challenging time. On the other hand, many African and Asian societies view menopause through a lens of respect and honour, often associated with increased status, wisdom, and personal growth. Older women,
who have completed their childbearing years, are sometimes honoured as elders and are expected to play a key role in guiding younger generations. However, in certain contexts, there can also be a lack of formal support and understanding of menopause-related health issues, which may lead to women struggling silently with symptoms.
How Executive Coaching Empowers Women Through Menopause
Despite the challenges, menopause can be a period of growth and empowerment, especially
with the right support. Executive coaching offers personalized guidance, addressing both the
physical and emotional aspects of menopause, helping women navigate this transition with
confidence. Here’s how:
- Personalized Support: Every woman’s menopause journey is unique. Executive coaching provides individualized advice, offering a safe space to work through symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and self-doubt while providing practical, tailored strategies.
- Building Emotional Resilience: Menopause often brings emotional challenges like mood swings and self-doubt. Coaching helps women strengthen emotional resilience, providing tools to manage responses and reduce stress in both personal and professional settings.
- Enhanced Self-Awareness: Coaching encourages women to reflect on how menopause impacts their energy, mental clarity, and emotions. This self-awareness allows for thoughtful adjustments to work routines and personal habits, maintaining productivity and balance.
- Goal Setting for Personal and Professional Growth: Executive coaching helps women use menopause as an opportunity to reassess their career goals and life priorities. For instance, a woman experiencing cognitive fog or fatigue might set a goal to implement time-blocking strategies that optimize her workday for mentalclarity. Coaching would guide her to create a realistic plan, breaking down larger tasks into manageable steps, and setting boundaries to ensure adequate rest and self-care. This approach not only helps her stay productive but also promotes a healthier work-life balance during this transition.
- Cognitive Restructuring: Menopause can cause a shift in self-perception, often bringing feelings of doubt or fear of being less capable at work. Through cognitive restructuring, coaching helps women challenge negative thoughts and replace them with more empowering beliefs. For example, a woman who feels her leadership abilities are diminishing due to menopausal symptoms might be guided to reframe this as an opportunity to lead with wisdom and empathy, capitalizing on her
- experience. Coaching helps her develop a more positive internal narrative, transforming self-doubt into confidence and purpose.
- Customized Stress Management: Executive coaches offer strategies like mindfulness practices, time management, and work-life balance techniques, helping women manage stress effectively in high-demand environments.
- Advocacy and Workplace Support: Coaching equips women with the confidence to advocate for themselves in the workplace. By fostering open conversations about menopause, coaching encourages women to challenge the silence and push for supportive workplace policies.
Why Supporting Women Matters
Addressing menopause in the workplace isn’t just about equity—it’s about creating
environments where women can thrive at every stage of their careers. Women who take
extended leave due to menopausal symptoms average 32 weeks away, leading to significant
productivity losses for businesses.
By offering executive coaching, organizations can empower their female leaders to manage
symptoms effectively, retain valuable talent, and foster a more inclusive, diverse workplace.
Conclusion
Menopause is a critical phase in a woman’s life, particularly for those in leadership roles. It’s
time to shift the narrative from one of negativity and silence to empowerment and support.
Through executive coaching, women can achieve mental and emotional mastery, navigating
menopause with confidence and resilience. Businesses that support their menopausal
workforce will retain talent, foster inclusivity, and strengthen their commitment to equality.
Other Resources
Menopause at work
References
Menopause and the Workplace, (2022)
Fawcett Society, (2022)
Newson, (2021)
CIPD, (2019).
Nicole Etienne
Nicole is a coaching psychologist, qualified coaching supervisor and EMCC-accredited at Senior Practitioner Level. With over a decade of expertise, she empowers professionals to thrive. She specialises in supporting busy professionals who seek to optimise potential. Helping them to manage overwhelm, burnout, transition, gain confidence and live a healthier, fulfilling and well-balanced lifestyle with ease.
