WiLAT Ireland Webinar: Hormone Health in Your 40s and 50s
21 January 2025 Online
12:00 – 13:00 (Europe/London)
Free for members
In Ireland, nearly 300,000 women aged 45-64 were employed according to CSO data from 2016. With the average age of menopause being 51 years (Hunter et al., 2012), many women navigate their menopause transition while actively engaged in the workforce. This demographic represents one of the fastest-growing segments in workplaces today.
For many women, the physical and emotional challenges of menopause, which can span several years, are difficult to manage. Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD, 2021) indicates that 59% of working women aged 45-55 experiencing menopausal symptoms report a negative impact on their work life. Yet, in many workplaces, discussing these challenges remains taboo, as women fear stigma or dismissal (Hardy et al., 2017; Hardy et al., 2019).
A survey by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU, 2018) in Northern Ireland found that nearly half of respondents reported menopause being treated as a joke in their workplace, while 28% said it was viewed negatively. Menopause is not just a health issue; it is a matter of workplace equality and occupational health. Workplace factors can greatly influence a woman’s menopausal experience and are protected under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. Employers have a duty to foster awareness and provide support for employees managing menopausal symptoms (Altmann, 2015).
This webinar will explore
- An overview of perimenopause and menopause
- The potential effects on workplace performance and daily life
- Strategies for self-care during this transition
- Guidance on how healthcare professionals can assist
- Insights into possible tests and investigations