In a recent 12-month progress report, the UK Government announced that it recognises women’s health, and particularly menopause, as an essential factor when supporting the recruitment and retention of older women in the workforce. This is part of a wider government drive to support older employees, for their wellbeing and success in work, to address skills shortages, and to boost the economy.
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and typically occurs, when considering geographic and ethnic variation, at around age 49. Women go through various physical and hormonal changes during this transitional phase and, while menopause is a universal experience, its impact on women’s lives can vary significantly.
In 2023, – the government appointed it’s first Menopause Employment Champion to drive awareness of issues surrounding menopause and work while promoting the benefits for businesses and the economy when women are supported to stay in work and progress.
With close to four million women aged 45 to 55 employed in the UK and women over 50 representing a significant and growing percentage of the workforce, there are few workplaces where menopause is not being experienced by employees. Menopause can cause a wide range of physical and mental health symptoms, which can be unpredictable, difficult to manage, and debilitating.
Dr Abiramy Yogendran, a Clinical Research physician at MAC, explains:
“The average woman will spend the last third of her lifetime in menopause, experiencing a range of vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms, affecting mood and libido, as well as having an impact on cardiovascular disease and cognitive dysfunction. Despite this, however, there is huge variation in physician education and comfort with the management of patients struggling with menopausal symptoms. Future research in this field is vital in order to improve clinician knowledge as well as to make the latest evidence-based treatments available to patients.”
At MAC, men and women’s health is one of our core therapeutic areas of expertise, and we can demonstrate extensive capabilities and experience in women’s health research, including three studies relating to menopause in recent years. Sexual dysfunction among post-menopausal women is an overlooked aspect of women’s health, but MAC has an upcoming innovative study that will explore this dysfunction and provide hope to those who suffer from it.
We also take pride in supporting our incredible team by offering a supportive and inclusive workplace environment that recognises the challenges menopause may bring.
You can read more about our experience in this area here, or if you would like to talk to us about our services for a study, contact us here.
