The Effects of Menopause on Women in the Workplace
- Category: Sleep, Health & Wellness, Women's Health
- Posted On:
- Written By: Baton Rouge General
Menopause, which typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 55, is a perfectly natural part of a woman’s life. On a personal level, it marks the end of the childbearing years. On a professional level, there’s a chance it could slow down your career momentum or affect your relationship with colleagues.
Why? Because the hormonal imbalances brought on by menopause can lead to:
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Sleep problems
- Mood swings
For working women, these symptoms can add an extra layer of stress to the routine rigors of professional life. Every day, millions of women go to work while battling headaches, hot flashes and sleep deprivation. Some women experience moments of forgetfulness as well. These concerns can really take a toll on your feelings of job security.
“Most women suffer in silence because they’re embarrassed and they don’t want to bring attention to themselves, especially in front of co-workers,” said Dr. Jo Anne Barrios. “But women should talk to their bosses about it so there’s no misunderstanding about job performance or quality of work. And the good news is that menopause is temporary. With a doctor’s care, symptoms are very manageable for most women.”
Dr. Barrios adds that good nutrition, exercise, and regular doctor’s visits will help women stay active and healthy as they age. For more serious issues such as depression or bone loss (osteoporosis), medications and hormone therapy have proven to be effective.
