We’re losing experienced, talented women from the workforce because hormonal symptoms are still being overlooked, misunderstood and too often left untreated.
In this episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Mecky McNeil, a former GP and health educator who is leading work to improve understanding of hormones and menopause in workplaces across Europe. Having trained together at medical school, Louise and Mecky reflect on how generations of doctors were left without the confidence to prescribe hormone replacement therapy following the publication of the Women’s Health Initiative study, and the lasting consequences this has had for women.
They explore why the most common hormone-related symptoms affecting work are often not hot flushes, but brain fog, poor concentration, anxiety, fatigue and loss of confidence. They also discuss the growing number of women reducing their hours, changing careers or leaving the workforce altogether because their symptoms are unrecognised or untreated, despite effective treatments being available for many.
The conversation highlights why improving hormone education isn’t just about individual health. It’s about protecting careers, families, workplaces and the wider economy. If you would like support in your workplace, get in touch with Balance@Work here.
Brain fog can affect confidence, communication, decision-making and productivity. Employers need to look not only at symptoms, but at how modern work overloads the brain.
More than a quarter of women have considered leaving the workforce because of hormone-related symptoms, according to new research from Balance@Work.
79% said hormone-related symptoms had affected their work participation or career decisions, while 24% had already left a role or organisation because of hormone health.
