Menopause affecting work? When Menopause makes you want to leave your job

If menopause is affecting your work, making you question your confidence or leaving you wondering whether it's time to quit, you're not alone.

You used to be good at your job.

You could juggle meetings, deadlines, difficult conversations and endless to-do lists without giving it a second thought. 

You were experienced, capable and confident.

Then something changed.

You started forgetting words halfway through a sentence. 

You read the same email three times before it made sense. 

You walked into meetings feeling anxious for no obvious reason. 

By the end of the day you were completely exhausted, yet you still couldn't sleep at night.

Perhaps you began questioning yourself.

"Am I losing my confidence?"

"Am I just not coping anymore?"

"Is it time to leave?"

If this sounds familiar, you're far from alone.

According to research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), almost one in six women have considered leaving work because of a lack of support during menopause, while thousands have already done so. 

This isn't simply a workplace issue, it's a women's health issue.

A recent report by the McKinsey Health Institute estimated that closing the women's health gap in the UK could add around £36 billion to the economy every year, partly by helping women remain healthier, stay in work and reach their full potential.

The report highlights something many women already know from personal experience: health conditions that predominantly affect women have often been under-recognised, under-researched and under-supported. Menopause is just one part of that much bigger picture.

By the time many women are thinking about leaving their job, they've often been struggling for months or even years. The conversation shouldn't begin when someone is on the verge of resigning. It should begin much earlier, with better awareness, better healthcare and easier access to personalised support.

For many women, menopause arrives during the busiest years of their lives, when they're often at the peak of their careers while also juggling ageing parents, teenage children, relationships, financial pressures and countless other responsibilities.

The impact can be devastating.

What you're experiencing has a very real biological explanation, and with the right support, many women discover that work becomes manageable again.

I know this because I've been there.

While menopause wasn't the only reason I left my corporate career, it played a significant role. Looking back with the knowledge I have now, I can see how much more support I needed…and how many women are still facing the same experience today. 

Menopause didn't just affect how I felt. It changed my confidence, my health and ultimately my career. I wasn't simply "burnt out" or "not resilient enough". My body was going through enormous hormonal changes at the very time I expected myself to keep performing exactly as I always had.

You can read more about my own menopause journey here:

Today, I help women understand what's happening to their bodies, regain their confidence and find a way forward that works for them. Sometimes that means staying in work.

Sometimes it means changing direction. But it should always be a choice, not something menopause forces upon you.

If you've found yourself wondering whether it's time to hand in your notice, this article is for you.

Why Does Menopause Suddenly Make Work Feel So Much Harder?

One of the most frustrating things about menopause is that it can make you doubt your own abilities.

"I used to be so organised."

"I've never struggled with confidence before."

"I feel like I've lost my edge."

"I'm terrified everyone has noticed I've changed."

The truth is, many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause directly affect the very skills we've relied on throughout our careers.

Brain fog

You lose your train of thought halfway through a meeting.

You forget words you would normally use every day.

You read an email several times before taking in the information.

It's not a sign that you're becoming less capable. Fluctuating hormone levels, particularly declining oestrogen, can affect memory, concentration and cognitive function, making everyday tasks feel far more mentally demanding than they once did.

Exhaustion

Many women aren't simply "a bit tired".

Night sweats, insomnia and disrupted sleep can leave you functioning on just a few hours of broken rest for weeks or even months.

Trying to make important decisions, lead meetings or concentrate on detailed work while exhausted is challenging for anyone.

Anxiety and loss of confidence

Even women who have spent decades presenting to boardrooms or leading teams can suddenly find themselves questioning every decision.

You might start avoiding opportunities you would once have embraced.

You might stop contributing in meetings because you're worried you'll forget what you wanted to say.

You might begin to believe you've somehow become less competent.

You haven't.

Your confidence has often taken a knock because you're trying to perform at your usual level while managing symptoms that nobody else can see.

The invisible load

Menopause rarely arrives in isolation.

For many women, it coincides with one of the busiest and most demanding stages of life.

You may also be caring for ageing parents, supporting teenage or young adult children, navigating relationship changes, grieving loved ones, managing financial pressures or simply trying to keep all the plates spinning.

When you add fluctuating hormones to an already overloaded life, it's hardly surprising that work can begin to feel overwhelming.

It's not a personal failure.

It's the cumulative effect of carrying more than anyone should be expected to carry alone.

This is why so many women quietly start asking themselves a question they never imagined they'd have to ask: "Should I just leave?" 

You're Not Imagining It

One of the cruellest things about menopause is that it often makes women question themselves before they question their hormones.

Many women tell me they spent months believing they were becoming forgetful, incapable or simply "not coping" before they realised menopause could be the cause.

That's hardly surprising.

Unlike a broken leg or a visible illness, menopause symptoms are invisible. From the outside, you may look exactly the same as you always have, while internally you're trying to manage brain fog, anxiety, exhaustion and a complete loss of confidence.

It's easy to convince yourself you're the problem.

You're not!

Research from organisations including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) shows that menopause can significantly affect women's confidence, concentration and ability to work.

Understanding what's happening doesn't make the symptoms disappear overnight, but it can replace self-blame with self-compassion.

And that's often the first step towards finding the right support.

Before You Hand In Your Notice...

If you've found yourself searching "Should I leave my job because of menopause?", I'd encourage you to pause before making any major decisions.

Not because leaving is always the wrong choice.

Sometimes it isn't.

Sometimes a workplace is unsupportive, toxic or simply no longer the right fit. Sometimes menopause becomes the catalyst for making a change you've been thinking about for years.

But I've also worked with women who were convinced they had lost their confidence, their ability or even their identity, only to realise that many of the things making work feel impossible were symptoms that could be understood, managed and supported.

You don't have to struggle in silence.

Before deciding that your career is over, ask yourself a few gentle questions:

• Have I spoken to my GP or a menopause specialist about my symptoms?

  
  

• Am I getting the support I need, whether that's medical, emotional or practical?

  
  

• Have I told anyone at work what I'm experiencing, or have I been trying to carry this on my own?

  
  

• Would reasonable adjustments make my working day more manageable?

  
  

• Am I expecting myself to perform exactly as I did ten years ago, despite everything my body is going through?

These questions aren't about convincing you to stay.

They're about making sure you're making a decision based on the full picture, rather than from a place of exhaustion, overwhelm or self-doubt.

One of the hardest parts of menopause is that it can make you lose trust in yourself.

The woman who used to cope with everything suddenly feels like she's falling apart.

But menopause doesn't erase decades of knowledge, experience and professional skill.

It can temporarily make them much harder to access.

That's an important difference.

With the right support, many women find they don't just survive this stage of life, they come through it with a better understanding of themselves, stronger boundaries and a renewed sense of confidence.

And if you do decide it's time for a new chapter, let it be because it's the right decision for you, not because menopause convinced you that you were no longer good enough.

Where to Start When Everything Feels Overwhelming 

One of the saddest things I hear from women is:

"I thought I just had to get on with it."

For generations, many women have been told that menopause is simply something to endure. That feeling exhausted, anxious, overwhelmed or unlike yourself is just part of getting older.

It isn't.

Whilst there isn't a magic solution that makes every symptom disappear overnight, there are many ways to improve how you feel. The key is understanding that menopause isn't one-size-fits-all. What works brilliantly for one woman may make little difference for another.

Start with the foundations

Before worrying about the latest supplement trending on social media or investing in expensive menopause products, it's worth making sure the basics are in place.

Simple changes to your nutrition, movement, sleep, stress levels and daily routines can have a surprisingly powerful impact on how you feel.

These foundations won't replace medical treatment if you need it, but they can help support your overall health and wellbeing, whatever path you choose.

If you're not sure where to begin, I've written a guide to the simple lifestyle foundations I encourage every woman to build first.

Speak to your GP

If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life or your ability to work, don't assume you have to put up with them.

A conversation with your GP can help you explore whether treatments such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or other options might be appropriate for you.

It can help to keep a symptom diary before your appointment and think about the ways menopause is affecting your daily life, including your work. The more specific you can be, the easier it is for your healthcare professional to understand the impact your symptoms are having.

Consider what support you need

Not every solution comes in the form of medication.

Sometimes the biggest difference comes from understanding what's happening to your body, learning practical strategies to manage your symptoms, rebuilding your confidence or simply having someone to talk things through with.

For some women, that's exactly where menopause coaching can help.

Coaching isn't about replacing your GP or giving medical advice. It's about helping you make sense of the information, explore your options and find practical ways to navigate this stage of life with more confidence.

Most importantly, it reminds you that you don't have to figure it all out on your own.

A Message to Employers: Your Most Experienced Employees Need You

If you're an employer, manager or HR professional reading this, I'd like to offer a different perspective.

The woman who's struggling at work may also be one of your most experienced, knowledgeable and committed employees.

She may have spent years building her career, mentoring others and consistently delivering high-quality work.

If she suddenly seems quieter, less confident or isn't performing as she once did, don't assume she's stopped caring about her job.

She may be quietly battling symptoms that are affecting her sleep, memory, concentration and confidence every single day.

You don't need to have all the answers. You simply need to create an environment where women feel safe enough to ask for support.

That might include:

• encouraging open, respectful conversations about menopause

  
  

• training managers so they feel confident discussing menopause sensitively

  
  

• considering reasonable adjustments where appropriate, such as flexible working, temperature control or additional rest breaks

  
  

• signposting employees to trusted sources of information and support

  
  

• recognising that menopause affects every woman differently, so flexibility is often more helpful than a one-size-fits-all policy

Most importantly, remember that awareness is only the beginning.

Creating a menopause-friendly workplace isn't simply about reducing absence or improving productivity, although those are important outcomes. It's about recognising that women's health directly affects people's ability to thrive at work.

Growing evidence, including the recent McKinsey Health Institute report, suggests that investing in women's health isn't just beneficial for individuals, it's also good for organisations and the wider economy. Supporting women earlier, before they're considering reducing their hours or leaving altogether, helps retain valuable experience, skills and knowledge that businesses simply can't afford to lose.

And although a lunchtime seminar or awareness campaign can help reduce stigma, it doesn't necessarily help the woman who is lying awake at 3am, dreading another day at work because she no longer feels like herself.

That's where personalised support can make all the difference.

Whether that's through occupational health, an employee assistance programme, a menopause specialist or one-to-one menopause coaching, giving women access to individual support can help them understand what's happening, explore their options and regain the confidence they thought they'd lost.

This is the approach I now take when working with organisations. Whilst awareness is important, I believe that real change happens when employees have access to personalised support alongside education.

Through one-to-one menopause coaching in the workplace, I work with women to help them understand what's happening to their bodies, prepare for conversations with their GP or employer where appropriate, build realistic lifestyle habits and regain the confidence they thought they'd lost. My coaching complements medical care and workplace support.

If you'd like to explore whether this type of personalised support could benefit your employees, I'd be delighted to have an informal conversation about how I work and whether it's the right fit for your organisation.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY SERVICES

Supporting women through menopause isn't simply about reducing absence or improving productivity, although those are important outcomes.

It's about recognising the value of experienced women and making sure they don't feel they have to choose between their health and their career.

Where to Find Support

If menopause is affecting your working life, you don't have to navigate it alone. There are several places you can turn for support, depending on what you need.

Your GP

If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life or your ability to work, speak to your GP. They can discuss treatment options, refer you to specialist services where appropriate and help you explore what might work best for you.

Your Employer

Many organisations now have menopause policies, employee assistance programmes or wellbeing initiatives. If you feel comfortable doing so, ask what support is available or whether reasonable adjustments could help make your working day more manageable.

ACAS

If you're unsure about workplace conversations or want independent information about employment issues, ACAS provides free advice for both employees and employers.

WorkWell

If a health condition is making it difficult for you to stay in work, return to work or find employment, ask your GP or Jobcentre Plus about WorkWell if it's available in your area.

WorkWell is a government funded service that provides personalised support for people facing health-related barriers to work. Depending on your circumstances, this may include access to lifestyle support, occupational health advice, wellbeing services and specialist support, helping you stay in work or return with confidence.

I have experience delivering menopause wellbeing support through the WorkWell scheme.

Personalised Menopause Coaching

Sometimes what women need most is someone to help them join the dots.

Alongside medical care, personalised menopause coaching can help you understand your symptoms, prepare for appointments, build sustainable lifestyle habits and regain confidence, so you can make informed decisions about your health, your work and your future.

You Don't Have to Lose the Career You Worked So Hard to Build

If menopause is making you dread Monday mornings, question your confidence or wonder whether it's time to leave your job, I hope this article has reassured you of one thing:

You are not alone, and you are not failing.

Menopause can affect every aspect of your working life, from your concentration and confidence to your energy and resilience. When you're trying to keep up with the demands of work whilst managing symptoms that nobody else can see, it's hardly surprising that you begin to question yourself.

But there are more support options than you might think. 

If you'd like personalised support, you're very welcome to explore my one-to-one menopause coaching. Together, we can help you understand what's happening, prepare for conversations with your GP or employer, build realistic lifestyle habits and, most importantly, help you feel more like yourself again.

Because menopause may change the way you work for a while.

It doesn't define your ability, your value or everything you've achieved.

You might decide to stay in your current role, change careers or begin a completely new chapter...but I'd really like that decision to come from a place of confidence and choice, not because menopause convinced you that you weren't good enough. You most certainly are.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can menopause affect your ability to work?

Yes, menopause can definitely affect concentration, memory, confidence, sleep, energy levels and emotional wellbeing, all of which can make work feel more challenging.

Many women find that tasks they once managed with ease suddenly require much more effort. The good news is that understanding what's happening and accessing the right support can make a significant difference.

Can menopause cause anxiety at work?

Yes, fluctuating hormone levels can contribute to increased anxiety, and when this is combined with brain fog, poor sleep and the pressures of work, it's easy to lose confidence.

Many women begin to worry about making mistakes or feel they're no longer performing as they once did. You're not alone, and there are practical steps and treatments that can help.

Should I tell my employer I'm going through menopause?

There's no right or wrong answer, and every workplace is different. Some women feel comfortable talking openly with their manager, while others are more hesitant.

If your symptoms are affecting your ability to do your job, it may be helpful to have a conversation about the support or adjustments that could make your working day easier.

What support is available if menopause is affecting my work?

Support might include speaking to your GP about treatment options, making lifestyle changes that improve your overall wellbeing, accessing one-to-one menopause coaching, or exploring the support available through your employer.

Depending on where you live, services such as WorkWell may also be able to help if your health is affecting your ability to stay in or return to work.

Can menopause cause brain fog at work?

Yes, brain fog is one of the most common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. It can affect memory, concentration, word-finding and mental clarity, making meetings, decision-making and everyday tasks feel much harder.

Although it can be worrying, brain fog is a recognised symptom of menopause and doesn't mean you've suddenly become less capable.

Where can I get help if menopause is affecting my career?

A good place to start is by speaking to your GP if your symptoms are affecting your quality of life.

You may also benefit from learning more about the lifestyle foundations that support menopause, seeking personalised menopause coaching, or accessing trusted organisations such as ACAS for workplace information and WorkWell if your health is affecting your employment. The important thing is to remember that you don't have to work through this alone.

DISCLAIMER: This page does not provide medical advice; it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice on any of the topics covered on this page.