Why is menopause support becoming a workplace wellness priority?

Menopause is becoming a workplace wellness priority because research now puts a real number on what happens when it goes unsupported: an estimated $1.8 billion in lost productivity annually in the U.S. alone, based on missed workdays tied to menopause symptoms.† As more women stay in the workforce through their 40s and 50s, employers and researchers alike are recognizing that menopause support isn't a niche benefit, it affects a large and often senior segment of the workforce.

What does the research actually show about menopause and work?

A large study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings surveyed more than 4,400 employed women ages 45 to 60 and found that 13.4% reported at least one adverse work outcome due to menopause symptoms, with women in the most severe symptom category more than 15 times more likely to report an adverse outcome than those with the mildest symptoms.

"There is a critical need to address this issue for women in the workplace," said Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of Mayo Clinic Women's Health and the study's lead author, in a Mayo Clinic News Network discussion of the findings.

"The midlife transition has really been forgotten historically in women's healthcare," says Jessica Nazzaro, DO, FACOG, NCMP, a Board-Certified OB-GYN and National Certified Menopause Practitioner. That gap in healthcare attention has carried directly into the workplace, where menopause has historically gone undiscussed.

Why has workplace support lagged so far behind?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has started addressing this gap directly, noting in its Office of Women's Health resources that menopause symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes can affect a woman's work life, and encouraging open conversation between employees and employers about accommodations.

Researchers at Northeastern University's new Center for Women's Health and Economic Wellbeing point to a related data point: a Society for Human Resource Management survey found that 13% of women in the U.S. quit their jobs because of menopausal symptoms, often without an employer aware enough to offer accommodations in the first place.

What does menopause support actually look like day to day?

For many women, workplace support pairs with what they're doing for their own health outside of work. Because perimenopause and menopause involve nutrient demands across multiple systems, Pink Stork Beef Organ Complex, a whole-food blend of grass-fed liver, heart, kidney, and female-focused organ powders, is formulated to support women through hormonal changes with naturally occurring iron, B-vitamins, and CoQ10.†

"I built Pink Stork so that no season of a woman's life would be dismissed as something to just push through quietly. Whatever stage you're in, from postpartum to perimenopause, you deserve real support, not silence."

— Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder and CEO of Pink Stork

Support associated with Beef Organ Complex includes:

• Supplies naturally occurring bioavailable iron, B-vitamins, and copper†
• Supplies naturally occurring bioactive nutrients that support women through hormonal changes†
• Supports a broad micronutrient profile from whole-food sources†

Many women also pair our grass-fed beef organ complex designed for women's hormonal changes with Pink Stork Cortisol Complex for stress support during a demanding workday, or with our NAD+ supplement with 500 mg clinically studied NR for cellular energy support.† Beef Organ Complex is the first beef organ supplement in its category to earn the Clean Label Project Purity Award, and it was formulated with input from an expert advisory panel of OB/GYNs and registered dietitians.

Related reading

• How to support energy and focus at work during perimenopause
• How women can advocate for menopause support in the workplace

Frequently asked questions

How common are menopause symptoms that affect work?

Mayo Clinic research found that about 13% of employed women ages 45 to 60 reported at least one adverse work outcome tied to menopause symptoms, most commonly missed workdays.

What kinds of workplace accommodations help most?

Common accommodations include flexible scheduling, temperature control options, paid leave for symptom flare-ups, and manager education to reduce stigma around the topic.

Is menopause considered a medical condition employers must accommodate?

Policies vary by employer and location. Some regions have begun introducing specific menopause workplace requirements, though this remains inconsistent across the U.S.

Can whole-food nutrition support women through this transition?

Whole-food nutrient support, like the iron, B-vitamins, and CoQ10 found in Beef Organ Complex, can support women's nutritional needs during hormonal changes.† It is not a treatment for menopause symptoms.

Why do researchers say this issue has been overlooked for so long?

Experts point to a historical lack of research funding and medical training focused specifically on midlife women's health, which has carried over into limited workplace awareness.

What's a good first step for someone navigating this at work?

Many women start by talking with their healthcare provider about symptom management and, separately, having an honest conversation with a manager or HR about what accommodations might help.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.