Menopause is part of your career
Ever walked into a meeting and suddenly forgotten what you were about to say? For many women in midlife, this is not just stress. This can be a neurological effect of menopause. While menopause is often framed as a purely reproductive milestone, it is equally a neurological transition, influencing how the brain manages memory, focus, mood, and energy.
The good news? These shifts are usually temporary. As the brain adjusts to new hormonal patterns, many symptoms ease. For women in the workforce, understanding these changes are key : It helps explain challenges at work and, more importantly, reinforces that they are neither unusual nor a sign of weakness.
Your Brain isn’t broken
Menopause doesn’t just affect the body; it affects the brain too. Estrogen, a hormone that drops during menopause, fuels energy in the brain. When levels decline, the brain may feel slower, making it harder to concentrate, remember details, or stay emotionally steady.
This stage may bring brain fog, memory lapses, mood swings, or disrupted sleep. These symptoms can feel frustrating at work but they don’t mean intelligence or skills are lost. Your brain is simply recalibrating. You remain just as capable, sharp, and resilient as ever.
Knowing what’s happening biologically can restore confidence. You are not alone : millions of women experience the same challenges, even if they don’t talk about them openly.
Confidence in transition
For many women, menopause or perimenopause coincides with career re-entry or mid-career progression. Symptoms like fatigue, forgetfulness, or anxiety can directly affect performance.
- A 2023 study of 553 women in a Japanese factory showed that severe menopausal symptoms were strongly linked to difficulties at work, particularly due to mood or stress-related issues.
- Another study of 1,465 female employees in Japan found that workplace support, and even factors like flexible work arrangements, had a significant impact on symptom severity.
In Japan, workplace culture often makes open discussions about menopause difficult. Combined with a lack of medical consultation, many women end up facing these challenges in silence. Recognizing menopause as a “neurological and professional transition” and not a personal failing is a first step toward breaking stigma and building confidence.
Managing menopause at work
While menopause can feel overwhelming, there are strategies to stay effective and protect well-being:
- Discuss flexibility. Consider open conversations with HR or your manager about working hours, short breaks, or remote work when symptoms peak.
- Plan ahead for focus-heavy tasks. Use reminders, notes, and prioritization to reduce stress and prevent mistakes.
- Support your body and mind. Exercise, mindfulness, hydration, and balanced nutrition can improve energy, memory, and mood.
- Build your network. Connecting with trusted colleagues or joining women’s communities helps normalize experiences and reduces isolation. Sharing strategies with peers is often more powerful than struggling alone.
- Discuss flexibility. Consider open conversations with HR or your manager about working hours, short breaks, or remote work when symptoms peak.
Navigating change with strength
Menopause is not the end of capability but a natural stage of life. With the right strategies, awareness, and support, women can continue to thrive in their careers while navigating these changes.
Key take-away
Menopause is a shared human experience. There’s no place for shame. Asking for support or adjustments is a smart way to sustain performance and well-being.
Just as we embrace the changing seasons, this transition is simply another phase in life’s cycle : a reminder of resilience, growth, and renewal.