People who experience menstrual health issues face a range of health challenges that can affect their working lives, including periods, hormonal conditions, gynaecological issues, and menopause. Yet, many workplaces lack support for women’s health. CIPD research shows that 67% of employers offer no support for menstrual health, even though symptoms like pain and fatigue can have a direct impact on performance.
Supporting women’s health in the workplace is not just a matter of corporate responsibility — it’s a key factor in boosting productivity, retaining employees, and reducing absences. Being aware and addressing these health challenges is essential to creating an inclusive work environment.
Menstrual symptoms at work
Menstrual health challenges are common and can affect daily work life. CIPD research found that 12% of respondents say their menstrual symptoms have had a negative impact on their career. Despite menstruation being a normal part of life, it is still viewed a taboo topic in many workplaces, leaving these issues unspoken and unsupported. It’s not surprising that 73% of women say they have lied when taking a sick day due to a period for fear of being judged by their boss.
“Regardless of whether women choose to call in sick under another pretence or continue to work through the pain, the end result is likely to be the same: they won’t get the support they need – whether that’s from a clinician or their employer.”
Vicky Walker, Chief People Officer at Westfield Health
The impact of gynaecological conditions
Gynaecological conditions that can significantly impact daily life. Two common conditions that affect around one in ten women are endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth in the UK, similar to those with PCOS.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a debilitating condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle, which can cause inflammation, pelvic pain and scar tissue.
Symptoms include: chronic fatigue, bowel and bladder issues and chronic pain.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects ovulation – the ovaries produce unusually high levels of androgens which causes reproductive hormones to become imbalanced.
Symptoms include: irregular or missing periods, fatigue and may cause excess facial or body hair due to increased androgens.
The effect of gynaecological conditions on employment
These conditions are have different causes and symptoms, although both can lead to debilitating symptoms, affecting productivity, concentration, energy levels and can cause fertility issues. Many individuals with these conditions struggle with managing symptoms while meeting workplace demands, often facing stigma or a lack of support from employers.
Watch our free webinar: Endometriosis and women’s health in the workplace
The impact of menopause at work
Research shows that 80% of working women experience menopause symptoms during their career, yet workplace awareness and support remain limited. Common symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, joint pain, and anxiety can significantly affect productivity and job performance.
A report by Fawcett Society discovered that one in ten women who have experienced menopause while working have had to leave a job due to the impact of their symptoms. This highlights the pressing need for improved workplace support, policies and awareness to ensure women can maintain their careers without being sidelined by unaddressed health challenges.
How can businesses prioritise women’s health?
According to Women’s Health, 57% of individuals with hormonal or gynaecological conditions feel their career has been negatively affected. Businesses can take proactive steps to prioritise women’s health in the workplace:
Reduce stigma towards women’s health
Nearly two thirds of people felt that a key thing employers could do is normalise conversations around menstruation. By promoting awareness of women’s health conditions, workplaces can create a more supportive and inclusive environment.
Encouraging employees to share their needs—whether through anonymous feedback forms, surveys, or dedicated working groups—helps break the stigma. When conversations about women’s health become normalised rather than being seen as a taboo subject, employees feel more comfortable seeking support, leading to a healthier and more productive workforce.
Create effective policies
Implementing clear and supportive workplace policies is crucial for addressing women’s health effectively. Managers should be trained to apply these policies with compassion and flexibility, ensuring employees feel understood rather than restricted by policies that don’t reflect the fluctuation of physical symptoms experienced, or support through mental health challenges faced as a result of these symptoms.
Regularly reviewing policies and gathering feedback should be a continuous process that is used as a guideline in your business to ensure that the support given is effective and prioritises your employees.
Tailor employee benefits
Review the employee benefits you offer to see how they can help support women’s health. Women have to attend an average of ten GP appointments before they’re listened to and able to progress with a diagnosis and support.
Including options like health cash plans or private health insurance in your employee benefits could target these long wait times and provide faster access to medical advice through virtual GP services or specialist consultations.
Practical accommodations
Leading with empathy and understanding can have a significant impact on employee wellbeing. This can mean offering flexible working conditions — such as remote work, adjusted hours, or additional breaks — to ensure that women feel like they are able to manage their symptoms without the fear of compromising their careers.
Download our free resources on Women’s health
We have created a webpage with a series of data and free resources to help businesses add support and understanding to women’s health in the workplace. View our resources here.