Menstrual and Menopause Health in Modern Workplaces: New Research

Comprehensive study reveals significant economic impact of unaddressed menstrual health needs

The research team at Sanicle.cloud has completed a groundbreaking study examining the intersection of menstrual and menopause health with workplace productivity, employee retention, and organizational culture. The results provide compelling evidence for prioritizing these historically overlooked aspects of employee wellness.

Study Methodology

Conducted over six months across diverse industries and organizational sizes, our research team collected data from:

• 2,500+ employees who menstruate
• 350+ HR professionals and managers
• 120+ companies across technology, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and finance sectors

The study combined qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, workplace observations, and economic analysis to develop a comprehensive picture of menstrual and menopause health impacts in professional settings.

Key Findings

Productivity Impacts

Our research revealed that 83% of employees who menstruate experience productivity disruptions related to their cycles, with an average of 9.3 hours of productivity lost per month (approximately 5.7% of total working hours).

Specifically:

• 68% report difficulty concentrating during portions of their cycle
• 62% experience fatigue that impacts work performance
• 47% have taken unplanned time off due to menstrual symptoms
• 41% report working while experiencing significant discomfort

Notably, these impacts were present regardless of industry, role, or seniority, though they manifested differently across various work environments.

Economic Consequences

When extrapolated across the U.S. workforce, our economic analysis estimates that unaddressed menstrual health needs result in approximately $34 billion in lost productivity annually. This figure doesn't include secondary costs like increased healthcare utilization and employee turnover.

For individual organizations, this translates to approximately $1,700 per employee who menstruates per year in lost productivity—a substantial figure that can significantly impact bottom-line performance.

Workplace Culture and Support

Perhaps most concerning was our finding regarding workplace support:

• Only 12% of employees reported feeling comfortable discussing menstrual health challenges with their managers
• 73% had never received any form of workplace accommodation related to menstrual health
• 89% of organizations had no formal policies addressing menstrual health needs

"There's a profound silence around these issues in most workplaces," notes Cecilia Omole, Chief Operating Officer at Sanicle.cloud. "This silence carries real costs, both human and economic, that organizations simply can't afford to ignore any longer."

The Menopause Factor

Our research also highlighted specific challenges faced by employees experiencing menopause:

• 76% reported receiving no workplace support during menopause transition
• 52% considered leaving their jobs due to menopause symptoms
• 38% reduced their hours or responsibilities during this transition
• Only 3% of organizations had any formal menopause support policy

These statistics represent a significant talent retention challenge that most organizations are failing to address.

The Path Forward

Based on these findings, Sanicle.cloud has developed a comprehensive framework for organizations seeking to address these challenges:

1. Policy Development: Creating explicit workplace policies around menstrual and menopause health accommodations
2. Education: Implementing awareness programs for all employees, regardless of gender
3. Physical Accommodations: Ensuring workplace facilities support basic menstrual health needs
4. Benefits Integration: Incorporating menstrual health support into existing wellness programs
5. Data-Driven Improvement: Ongoing measurement of policy effectiveness and adaptation

"This research confirms what we've long suspected—that addressing menstrual and menopause health in the workplace isn't just the right thing to do from an equity perspective; it's a sound business decision with measurable returns," explains Omopeju Afanu, CEO of Sanicle.cloud.

Organizations interested in receiving the complete research report can request access through our platform. The Sanicle.cloud research team will continue to build on these findings, with follow-up studies planned to examine industry-specific challenges and intervention effectiveness.