The study - Advancing Menopause and Menstrual Health in Organisations (AMMInO) - was carried out by Professor Kathleen Riach from the Adam Smith Business School.

It surveyed over 6,000 NHS employees to understand their experiences and needs.

The results showed that while most employees can continue to work through menstruation or menopause without disruption, those who do experience some kind of impact can be negatively affected by cultural, structural, or institutional conditions.

The results showed that while most employees can continue to work through menstruation or menopause without disruption, those who do experience some kind of impact can be negatively affected by cultural, structural, or institutional conditions

Other key findings from the study include:

  • Misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, and late diagnosis of menopause remain ongoing challenges, and can have a negative impact on women's careers and ability to work.
  • Employees are creative and resilient in how they work through pain and disruption due to menstrual or menopausal experiences, particularly when supported by colleagues and line managers.
  • Organisational culture plays a significant role in employees' experiences of reproductive health at work. Forty percent of respondents reported having had an embarrassing or stigmatizing experience surrounding menstruation or menopause in the workplace in the last year, highlighting the need to tackle bias and stereotypes.

The study's findings have important implications for employers. By creating a positive workplace culture and providing practical support mechanisms, such as flexible breaks and working arrangements, employers can help to reduce barriers to women's health and wellbeing, and create a more inclusive and productive workplace.

Read the Scottish Government press release: Addressing women’s health inequalities

First published: 6 November 2023

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