While fertility and family planning benefits are receiving deserved attention in the workplace, employees in or entering menopause are met with significant barriers to care. Facing stigma, shame, and an undertrained medical community, when employees do seek care less than 25% of employers offer menopause support.
Companies are in a unique position to address the gap in their benefit offerings, extend the career spans of employees, and foster an age-inclusive workplace.
The basics of perimenopause and menopause
Perimenopause is when a person’s body transitions to menopause, starting anywhere from mid-30s to mid-50s. The change continues for months or even years until menopause is reached, typically indicated by 12 consecutive months of missed periods.
During this transition phase symptoms can include hot flashes, brain fog, anxiety and depression. A reported 40% of women say menopause interferes with work on a weekly basis.
Addressing symptoms
Medical treatment is not required for menopause. However, there are options like therapies, lifestyle changes, and medications available to manage and reduce symptoms:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals make positive changes with symptoms like anxiety, interrupted sleep, and low mood.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) involves taking estrogen, sometimes combined with progestin, and can reduce symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes like balanced diets, regular exercise, hydration, and stress management may alleviate symptoms.
How employers can help
Employers can help reduce stigma by having open conversations around menopause and midlife health at work, training managers how to talk about symptoms, and making privately accessible education materials available.
Platforms like Maven, Blue Shield’s women’s and family health partner, provide employees with one convenient place to seek support and manage symptoms. Maven’s support is comprised of dedicated care teams, unlimited access to trained specialists, and educational resources.
By addressing menopause in the workplace employers can build a more productive and inclusive workplace. Contact your Blue Shield representative to learn more about adding Maven’s menopause support to your benefits package.
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