At least one in 10 members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is leaving the profession, or has already left, as a result of menopausal symptoms, a new survey has found.

According to the findings, 12% are leaving, or have left the profession, while 82% have considered leaving work due to menopausal symptoms.

Some 85% of respondents said they were in the early stages of menopause, were perimenopausal or were post-menopause. Yet despite this, 48% said they were not prepared for menopause, with 16% saying that they had no information or education on the topic at all.

The survey found a big impact on quality of life, with 90% stating that their menopausal symptoms had affected them at work and 18% stating that their symptoms were severe or debilitating.

Some 42% said that they had missed more than five days at work as a result of their symptoms. However, 63% said they did not inform their line manager of their reason for absence. Some 37% said they would not feel confident discussing menopause with their line manager.

According to INMO president, Karen McGowan, there is a big need for education and awareness training for all staff, as well as across society.

“Silence around women’s health issues is damaging and it impacts equality in society and at work. Nurses and midwives have told us the pressure they’re under at work is being made worse because there aren’t reasonable accommodations being made for menopausal symptoms and they don’t feel they can speak up,” she explained.

INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha pointed out that with an overwhelmingly female workforce, the impact of menopause on women’s careers must be considered.

“This is very serious. The potential for women’s careers to be negatively impacted by menopause needs to be eliminated, and education and awareness training are key to reducing stigma and facilitating the vital conversations women need to have at work.

“The health service should be a leader in promoting workplace wellbeing for people experiencing menopause. Development of workplace policies is an employer responsibility for fostering equality and is vital for retaining skilled staff in their professions,” she commented.

The INMO issued a position paper in 2019 on menopause in the workplace, making it the first organisation in the country to call for employer action on behalf of employees experiencing menopause. That paper called for:

-Development of workplace policies that promote support of women during menopause

-Education and training regarding the menopause.