Menopause
Menopause workplace toolkit launched to help UK employers support staff
A new free menopause toolkit has been launched to help UK employers respond better to menopause at work, improve wellbeing and retain experienced staff.
Wellbeing of Women has launched MENO-Kit in partnership with Lancaster University, which it describes as the UK’s first evidence-based menopause workplace toolkit.
The online resource translates more than a decade of academic research into practical guidance for employers.
It is designed for managers, human resources and occupational health teams, equality, diversity and inclusion leads, trade unions and employees.
Its four modules cover menopause awareness, symptom management, menopause champion training and cognitive behavioural strategies.
These are techniques that help people spot and change thought or behaviour patterns that can make symptoms harder to manage.
Amanda Griffiths, emeritus professor of occupational health psychology at the University of Nottingham, said: “I am so pleased the Wellbeing of Women’s toolkit is now available.
“It presents the culmination of many years’ research by Claire Hardy, Myra Hunter and myself at our three universities.
“It’s a clear story: women represent nearly half the working population and menopause is a normal event in their lives.
“Those who experience difficulties appreciate understanding and support. And it’s not difficult to provide.
“I really hope that the next generation of working women, their colleagues and their managers will find the toolkit helpful.”
MENO-Kit was informed by research studies conducted by Lancaster University, the University of Nottingham and King’s College London.
This included the UK’s first large-scale study of women’s experience of menopause at work, carried out at the University of Nottingham, which identified fatigue, poor concentration, low mood and hot flushes as symptoms affecting working life.
It also highlighted the kinds of employer support working women said they would find helpful.
The toolkit has been tested in eight UK organisations across the public, private and charity sectors.
A total of 2,162 people, mostly women in their mid-40s and 50s, contributed across the studies.
The launch comes at a time of growing urgency for employers.
Research from McKinsey & Company highlights the economic opportunity of closing the women’s health gap, estimating it could unlock up to £11bn a year for the UK economy.
The NHS Confederation has also highlighted the economic case for investing in women’s health, linking better support to improved workforce retention and reduced pressure on employers and public services.
Alongside this, research has continued to show the impact of menopause at work.
Separate polling by Benenden Health found that 28 per cent of women had considered leaving work because of symptoms, while 31 per cent reported reduced productivity.
MENO-Kit has been developed to help organisations respond with practical, evidence-based tools that build confidence, reduce stigma, improve wellbeing and help retain experienced staff.
The launch is being marked by an online event featuring a keynote from the Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson, minister of state for employment, a live demonstration of MENO-Kit by Dr Abigail Morris, and a discussion on practical approaches to creating menopause-supportive workplaces.
Janet Lindsay, chief executive at Wellbeing of Women, said: “Too many women still struggle in silence during menopause at work, with many employers lacking the tools to respond effectively.
“MENO-Kit addresses this gap, offering practical, evidence-based ways for organisations to better support their people.
“It helps women stay working, thrive, and realise their potential at work.
“We’re hugely grateful to the research teams whose expertise has made this possible.”
Dr Abigail Morris, lecturer in workplace health and wellbeing at Lancaster University, said: “We’re delighted to launch Meno-Kit which represents an important step forward in supporting organisations across the UK to take a proactive and informed approach to menopause in the workplace.
“By providing practical tools, evidence-based guidance and a structured framework for action, the resource will help organisations develop effective menopause action plans, foster more inclusive and supportive workplace cultures, and better support women experiencing menopause to remain healthy, engaged and thriving at work.
“We believe Meno-Kit has the potential to drive meaningful organisational change while improving the everyday working lives and wellbeing of women across the UK workforce.”
Davina McCall, Wellbeing of Women ambassador, said: “Menopause shouldn’t be something women hide or struggle with alone at work or anywhere.
“It’s a normal life stage, not a personal failing.
“By talking about menopause openly and putting the right support in place, workplaces can make a huge difference to women’s wellbeing, confidence and careers enabling them to thrive at work.”
One in three US women older than 35 are no sure whether they are in perimenopause, new research has revealed.
The findings suggest uncertainty remains common, largely because of knowledge gaps, symptom confusion and difficulty getting confirmation or care.
Perimenopause is the transitional stage before a woman’s final period, when hormone levels fluctuate and symptoms can change over time.
It usually begins in the mid-40s, although timing varies widely, and can last for around four to eight years.
Symptoms can include hot flushes, psychological symptoms and urogenital symptoms, which affect the urinary and genital areas.
Dr Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society and one of the study authors, said: “This large study showed that one in three US women aged older than 35 years are not sure whether they are in perimenopause.
“Further, the study highlights that symptom confusion, misconceptions, and barriers to care are leaving many women without the clarity and support they need during the menopause transition.
“Recognising perimenopause uncertainty as a common experience can help shift the conversation from searching for a diagnosis to providing women with the information, validation, and support they need to navigate this natural life transition with confidence.”
More than 7,600 US women aged 35 and older took part in the study, which looked at how common uncertainty around perimenopause is and what may be driving it.
Overall, 34 per cent of participants said they were unsure of their reproductive stage.
Uncertainty varied by age and symptom burden, reaching 42 per cent among women aged 40 to 44 and 37 per cent among those with severe symptoms.
Symptom confusion was the most common factor, cited in 56 per cent of responses.
This included difficulty making sense of bodily changes and telling perimenopause apart from other possible causes, such as premenstrual syndrome, thyroid disease or mental health conditions.
Knowledge gaps and information-seeking made up 28 per cent of responses, reflecting limited awareness, age-based assumptions and attempts to find reliable information.
Barriers to confirmation and care made up 16 per cent, including dismissive healthcare encounters and reluctance to acknowledge perimenopause.
Younger women aged 35 to 39 were more likely to cite knowledge gaps, while healthcare barriers were most common among women aged 40 to 44.
The researchers said clinicians should take a more flexible approach to recognising the emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms that can occur during perimenopause.
They said healthcare professionals should not rely too heavily on irregular periods as the main sign, because some women have symptoms before major cycle changes.
A new menopause drug has been approved for NHS use in Scotland, offering a non-hormonal option for women who cannot take HRT.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium has recommended that women can now be prescribed fezolinetant, also known as Veoza, for symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.
Some women cannot take HRT, leaving them with limited treatment options for symptoms that can be severe and long-lasting.
Dr Timir Patel, medical director of Astellas UK, said the company was “pleased that this important additional treatment option will be available to women in Scotland, helping to support more personalised care for those experiencing hot flushes and night sweats”.
Fezolinetant works by selectively blocking a neurotransmitter in the brain involved in triggering hot flushes.
Clinical trials have shown the drug can reduce both the frequency and severity of hot flushes and night sweats.
About 400,000 women in Scotland are said to be of menopausal age, with manufacturer Astellas Pharma Ltd saying up to 48,000 could benefit from the treatment.
Dr Rob Peel, chair of the Scottish Medicines Consortium, said: “We know that menopausal hot flushes and night sweats can substantially affect quality of life.
“For those who cannot take HRT, effective treatment options are limited. Fezolinetant provides a non-hormonal treatment option, and we know our decision will be welcomed.”
Dr Kay McAllister, consultant gynaecologist and clinical lead for menopause services at NHS Glasgow and Greater Clyde, said: “Today’s decision marks a positive development for the wellbeing of Scottish women.
“In clinical practice, I see how hot flushes and night sweats impact sleep and overall quality of life in my patients.
“The availability of this targeted treatment offers a welcome choice and further options for patients.”
Avni Wellness has secured Rs 4 crore, around US$470,000, in seed funding to expand its products and digital commerce capabilities.
The Mumbai-based women’s health start-up plans to strengthen its online retail operations and increase its presence across digital marketplaces.
It will also expand its cycle nutrition product range and grow its women-led network of micro-entrepreneurs.
Founded in 2021 by Sujata Pawar and Apurv Agarwal, Avni Wellness offers science-backed, toxin-free products spanning adolescence, reproductive years and menopause.
Its portfolio includes a patented antimicrobial reusable sanitary pad and a liposomal iron supplement designed to address iron deficiency among women in India.
Liposomal supplements encase nutrients in tiny fat-like particles intended to support absorption.
The company also offers products for polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, calcium supplementation, urinary and vaginal health and seed-based hormonal nutrition. PCOS is a condition that can affect hormone levels, periods and fertility.
Proteus Partners led the funding round, with participation from angel investors Puru Gupta, Sreejith Moolayil, A. Velumani and Somya Nigam.
Avni Wellness said it aims to address gaps in women’s healthcare in India by focusing on hormonal health, nutrition and long-term wellbeing while incorporating livelihood generation and sustainability into its model.
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