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Setting Menopause Stigma on Fire

June 12, 2025

The numbers tell us much about menopause:

  • 1.3 million women enter this stage of life each year
  • 80% experience multiple symptoms at a time
  • 12% miss a week of work every month and 22% contemplate early retirement due to symptoms
  • $150 billion lost annually in global productivity
  • 65% wish they could talk to managers or colleagues about the experience

But they can’t tell the whole story. Behind every number is a woman with a unique – but often remarkably familiar experience.

  • Amy Johnson, MD, certified Hartford HealthCare menopause specialist, remembers embarrassment as a hot flash soaked her scrubs just before an operation.
  • Melissa Garthwait, Center for Healthy Aging resource coordinator, said menopause drained her energy for things she once enjoyed.
  • Lorina Watrous, HHC MG practice manager, contemplated skipping regular presentations for fear a hot flash would embarrass her mid-sentence.
  • Rose Sheehan, HHC executive vice president and chief people officer, thought about stepping back from her high-level position because symptoms left her “feeling terrible.”

These colleagues and more shared personal insight and scientific facts at “Putting the ‘Me’ in Menopause,” a women’s health symposium for colleagues. Attended by almost 300 HHC colleagues, the event started creating a more supportive and accommodating work environment for those experiencing menopause.

Ways to support women at work

Tessa Misiaszek, PhD, whose research uncovered the statistics listed above, said talking is the best way to fix a negative situation.

“This has broad consequences and women need to have the psychological safety to talk about it without fearing negative career outcomes,” she said during her keynote address.

Managers, she suggested, can:

  1. Encourage women to talk and listen.
  2. Be flexible with scheduling.
  3. Provide physical comforts, such as temperature-controlled uniforms or fans.
  4. Learn about menopause symptoms and how they might impact work or productivity.

“Women think we can tough it out but that’s not the answer,” Sheehan said.

Organizations, Dr. Johnson suggested, can help by increasing access to care, covering pharmaceutical options and training providers, most of whom never learn about menopause in school. This can cause misdiagnosis, especially if symptoms mimic conditions like depression.

“Women go to specialists for certain symptoms and the bigger picture is missed,” Dr. Johnson noted.

To help, Sheehan announced a commitment from HHC clinical leaders to conduct menopause training for all primary care providers.

Colleagues brainstorm strategies to advocate and raise awareness

Other suggestions from a colleague panel include:

  • Build into our culture a position that offers colleague support, like a school nurse.
  • Provide menopause education and screening for colleagues.
  • Encourage providers to start talking about menopause when patients are in their mid-30s.
  • Provide space for colleagues to express concerns about juggling menopause symptoms with work, raising children and/or caring for parents. “Permission to be human is huge,” Garthwait said.
  • Offer flexible scheduling.
  • Create quiet, private spaces for challenging moments.
  • Cover more holistic care under HHC medical plans.
  • Sanction longer visits with providers for menopausal patients.
  • Introduce and support a menopause support group for colleagues.

The symposium also included presentations on nutrition and exercise during menopause by Christopher Barrett, RD, and Bruce Bazeal of the Bone & Joint Institute; a look at hormone replacement therapy with Dr. Johnson; and behavioral health in menopause by Sanne Wortel, PhD, of the Institute of Living.

Learn more about three upcoming virtual sessions that dive into additional details about how menopause can affect you, including heart health, well-being and weight gain.