Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Menopause symptoms affect women's work and well-being in Mexico
In Mexico, menopause symptoms are affecting women's working lives, sometimes leading them to consider working fewer hours or to keep working despite feeling unwell.
A survey found 62% of women had work-related discomfort linked to menopause symptoms, and half had faced work problems during the transition.
Only 12% said they felt comfortable discussing this stage with their managers, while seven in 10 feared being seen as less capable.
Menopause is a natural transition that ends a woman's reproductive years, and its symptoms can occur during working years.
Hot flashes were the most commonly reported symptom, followed by extreme tiredness and joint pain.
The effects matter because 67% said symptoms affected their work performance, and 43% were likely to consider working fewer hours.
The UN Population Fund says 14.8 million working women aged 40 to 59 in Mexico are in some stage of the hormonal transition, a figure expected to reach 18 million by 2030.
Menopause symptoms are affecting women’s well-being and work, with many reporting workplace discomfort and reduced performance in Mexico.
A survey found that 62% of women had experienced work-related discomfort linked to menopause symptoms.
Seven in 10 women said they were uncomfortable discussing symptoms because they feared being seen as less capable.
Symptoms lead 43% of women with severe hormone-related symptoms to consider working fewer hours, while 67% say symptoms affect their performance.
The UNFPA says 14.8 million economically active women aged 40 to 59 in Mexico are in some stage of the hormonal transition.
- Who
- Women experiencing menopause in Mexico, including those in the workforce.
- What
- Menopause symptoms affect women’s well-being and work. Many report workplace discomfort, and some consider reducing their hours.
- When
- During the hormonal transition, which overlaps with working ages of about 40 to 60.
- Where
- Mexico.
- Why
- Symptoms can affect performance and well-being, while workplaces may lack the tools and understanding to support workers.
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- Work-related discomfort
- 62% of women
- Fear of discussing symptoms
- 7 in 10 women
- Considering fewer work hours
- 43% of women with severe hormone-related symptoms
- Symptoms affect performance
- 67% of women
- Women in hormonal transition
- 14.8 million economically active women aged 40 to 59 in Mexico
What people are saying
All women have gone to work feeling unwell and have normalized it, mainly because they fear reprisals at work if they are absent for that reason. Regardless of socioeconomic level, they fear being fired.
If health professionals do not understand, if bosses do not understand, the work environment becomes quite hostile for people going through menopause.
We have a workforce that is not experiencing menopause fully, with dignity and from a human rights perspective.