Men's guide to the menopause: What symptoms should you be aware of?

Symptoms of the menopause – which include hot flushes, brain fog and difficulty sleeping – can be considered a disability under the Equality Act 2010 if they have a “long-term and substantial impact” on a woman’s ability to carry out their usual day-to-day activities, according to the watchdog. And if employers do not make “reasonable adjustments” for menopausal women in the workplace they could face legal action.

Research shows one in 10 women who have worked during the menopause have left their jobs due to symptoms, the watchdog said, adding, two thirds of working women between the ages of 40 and 60 with experience of menopausal symptoms said they have had a mostly negative impact on them at work.

EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner said: “As Britain’s equality watchdog, we are concerned both by how many women report being forced out of a role due to their menopause-related symptoms and how many don’t feel safe enough to request the workplace adjustments. An employer understanding their legal duties is the foundation of equality in the workplace.

“It is clear that many may not fully understand their responsibility to protect their staff going through the menopause. Our new guidance sets out these legal obligations for employers and provides advice on how they can best support their staff. We hope that this guidance helps ensure every woman going through the menopause is treated fairly and can work in a supportive and safe environment.”

Why men need to know about Menopause

Considering the EHRC’s findings, men who may once have considered the menopause as something that doesn’t concern them, will now have to change their attitudes. In fact, Jo Lyall of The Better Menopause website says employers have a “responsibility to be mindful” of the condition and “know the signs to look out for”.

Jo said: "As a manager in a business, if you see a usually high-performing, competent woman in her 40s and 50s starting to struggle, it's crucial to consider whether menopause might be a contributing factor (it might not be). Whilst it's not the role of companies to manage an employee's medical conditions directly, there is a responsibility to be mindful of how such conditions could be impacting their job performance and to know the signs to look out for.”

However, Jo also stresses that women of a certain age shouldn’t necessarily be looked upon differently, or through a ‘negative lens”. She said: “It's concerning that 10% of women are leaving the workforce during menopause, facing issues like anxiety, sleeplessness, and hot flushes, which profoundly affect their sense of self. However, we must avoid the pitfall of viewing every woman aged 40-60 through a lens of negativity, assuming menopause will adversely affect their work.

“The goal is to foster an environment where open communication is encouraged, and employees feel comfortable discussing their symptoms without fear of discrimination. It's important to recognise that not every woman will experience menopause in the same way, the symptoms are broad and diverse, spanning what could be a decade of their lives. Menopause is not a choice; it's a natural part of life and should be treated with understanding.”.

Menopause symptoms

Menopause is when a woman’s periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it does happen earlier for some.

According to the NHS, menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have “a big impact” on daily life, including “relationships, social life, family life and work”. While it can feel different for everyone, common symptoms include:

Mental health symptoms of the menopause

• Changes to mood (including low mood, anxiety, mood swings and low self-esteem)
• Problems with memory or concentration (brain fog)

Physical symptoms of the menopause

• Hot flushes (sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest which can cause dizziness)
• Difficulty sleeping, which may be a result of night sweats (this can cause feelings tiredness and irritability during the day)
• Palpitations (when heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable)
• Headaches and migraines
• Muscle aches and joint pains
• Changed body shape and weight gain
• Skin changes including dry and itchy skin
• Reduced sex drive
• Vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Sensitive teeth, painful gums or other mouth problems

Jo wants women to feel empowered to approach their bosses and be open about symptoms and any adjustments that could be made to aid them in their job role during the menopause. She added: “Ultimately, the key is ensuring that employees feel confident in expressing when they're experiencing symptoms related to menopause, and in response, employers should be prepared to make reasonable adjustments. This approach is not about stereotyping but about individualising support, akin to how any health issue should be managed in the workplace."