The Financial Impact of Menopause—on Women, Workplaces, and Society
Let’s talk about menopause—and why it matters for your finances, your livelihood, and your ability to thrive at work and at home.
When most people think about menopause, they picture hot flashes, mood swings, or a few sleepless nights. And while those are real, they’re only part of the story—especially for women navigating midlife while juggling careers, caregiving, and financial goals.
What often gets overlooked is how the physical and emotional effects of menopause show up in the workplace—and in a woman’s wallet. Fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and hormonal shifts can lead to missed days, reduced productivity, lost income, and even early retirement.
Women can lose up to $20,000 or more in lifetime earnings due to untreated menopause symptoms.
The Cost No One Talks About
Here’s the truth: this isn’t just a health conversation. It’s a financial one.
As estrogen declines, many women experience physical and cognitive symptoms that make it harder to work, harder to focus, and harder to maintain the pace they've always kept. Yet very few are given support—or even acknowledgment—in professional settings.
According to global research:
Women can lose up to $20,000 or more in lifetime earnings due to untreated menopause symptoms.
Nearly 1 in 10 women in the U.S. leave the workforce early because of menopause-related issues.
Many more downshift their careers, miss promotions, or reduce hours—often in silence.
This quiet exit or slowdown doesn’t just impact salaries. It also affects:
Retirement savings and 401(k) growth
Social Security contributions
Health insurance access (especially for women who are self-employed or leave jobs with benefits)
Long-term wealth-building potential
And beyond the individual? The economic loss to companies and communities is massive—millions in lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and the loss of institutional knowledge from experienced women leaving too soon.
Brain Fog at Work. Hot Flashes in Meetings. Anxiety Before a Presentation.
This is the real experience for millions of women in their 40s and 50s—yet they’re expected to perform as if nothing’s happening.
And most do. Quietly. While pushing through.
But it comes at a cost.
Days missed.
Meetings rescheduled.
Projects delayed.
Confidence eroded.
Women begin to second-guess themselves. Colleagues may misinterpret symptoms as burnout, disinterest, or inefficiency—when in reality, these are hormonal shifts with real physiological roots.
The Role of Workplaces: We Can—and Must—Do Better
If workplaces want to retain experienced, talented women, it starts with understanding the reality of menopause and its financial implications.
Here’s what supportive companies can do:
Offer flexible scheduling to accommodate sleep disturbances and fatigue.
Normalize menopause education in wellness programs.
Provide access to healthcare benefits that include hormonal care and mental health.
Train HR teams and managers to support—not shame—midlife transitions.
Encourage open dialogue so women don’t feel like they have to hide or power through in silence.
Because when women feel supported, they stay longer, perform better, and contribute more fully—not just at work, but in their families and communities.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Financial Future During Menopause
Even if your workplace isn’t on board (yet), you can still take powerful steps to protect your wealth and well-being.
1. Track Your Symptoms
If menopause symptoms are affecting your performance, energy, or emotional well-being, track them. Document how they’re impacting your work life and decisions—this will help you advocate for care or accommodations.
2. Get Professional Support
Don’t dismiss what you’re feeling. Seek out a provider who listens and understands the full scope of menopause, including how it impacts your mental clarity, physical stamina, and quality of life.
3. Revisit Your Financial Plan
Now’s the time to:
Reassess your emergency fund
Recalculate your retirement contributions
Explore supplemental insurance (especially if you’re considering stepping away from work)
Adjust spending to account for increased medical or wellness needs
Financial resilience during this stage isn’t about perfection—it’s about preparation.
4. Talk About It
Speak up at work. With your peers. With your family. Silence serves no one. The more we normalize this conversation, the more support we create for the women coming behind us.
This Isn’t Just About You. It’s About All of Us.
Menopause is a major life stage that half the population will experience.
And the way we handle it—at work, in healthcare, in relationships, and in financial planning—has ripple effects across generations.
When we ignore menopause, we lose women. We lose their income, their confidence, their wisdom, and their long-term financial security.
But when we support menopause, we create a stronger, more equitable future—for all women.
Final Thought
Taking control of your health during menopause is powerful. But so is taking control of your finances.
Menopause doesn’t have to derail your income, your goals, or your confidence. With the right information, support, and strategy, you can protect your earning power, advocate for your needs, and continue building the life you’ve worked so hard to create.
Because thriving through menopause isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about preserving your energy, independence, and options for years to come.
Defy Menopause - Own the Change
Many women tell me: "One day I feel amazing. The next, I can barely get out of bed. Is this normal?"
Yes, it is. And no, you don’t have to suffer through it alone.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can make you feel like you’ve lost control of your body. But knowledge is powerful. And there are clear, science-backed ways to support your hormones, ease symptoms, and reclaim your energy.
That’s exactly why I created Defy Menopause: Own the Change — a 30-day program designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and support you need to move through these changes with clarity and confidence.
Inside, you’ll find:
Weekly access to Dr. Tracy Verrico at live, group sessions
Clear action steps for managing symptoms naturally
Because you deserve more than just "putting up with it."
You deserve to thrive.
Let’s Connect
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