More than a third of working women keep hormonal complaints quiet in the workplace. This is according to research by CBS and TNO. These include complaints such as fatigue, headaches, abdominal pain, and mood swings – often the result of menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
Hormonal complaints are far from rare: 80 percent of working women indicate that they suffer from them sometimes or regularly. Yet 35 percent choose not to share these complaints with colleagues or managers. By comparison: with other health complaints, 24 percent of employees – both women and men – remain silent.
“The pain is often so intense that women can barely perform their daily work,” says Judith Huirne, a gynecologist at Amsterdam UMC. Heavy periods and excessive bleeding are some of the complaints she hears regularly.
A listening ear is often lacking
Almost one in ten women who do not discuss their complaints say they do have a need to do so. A similar number would like to receive support from their manager. “We recognize that,” says Huirne. “These complaints are still too often dismissed as ‘women’s issues’. As a result, women do not feel taken seriously and prefer to remain silent about them.”
To make the subject open for discussion, Amsterdam UMC started a free consultation hour for employees. It is proving to be a success. “Women feel supported by this, and it helps to start the conversation within teams,” says Huirne.
Calling in sick or pushing through – both with consequences
Women do not just remain silent; they often push through as well. As many as 67 percent continue to work despite complaints. For other health problems, that figure is 43 percent. Nevertheless, a significant proportion also regularly call in sick. “Often for short periods, but on a monthly basis,” says Huirne. “That influences performance, as well as career opportunities.”
Half of women with hormonal complaints feel limited in their work. This also occurs among other employees, but the impact of hormonal complaints remains underexposed.
Call for an open culture regarding hormonal complaints
According to CBS and TNO, employers can achieve significant gains by encouraging an open work culture in which there is room for hormonal complaints. Specific reference is made to the importance of attention for women with recurring menstrual problems, “because they still have an entire career ahead of them.”
More research and better care needed
Gynecologist Huirne sees that attention for the subject is growing – with examples such as Spain and Portugal, where menstrual leave is regulated by law. “That is good for emancipation. At the same time, it is not a structural solution,” she says. “Women may then suffer at home instead of at work, but the problem persists. Only better diagnostics and treatments will bring real change.”
State Secretary Judith Tielen also emphasizes the importance of research over leave. “With better knowledge, we can provide more targeted treatment and adjust guidelines more quickly.” Within the National Strategy for Women’s Health, fifteen million euros is available for this until 2030.
Hormonal complaints and absenteeism: a blind spot
Despite the scale and frequency of hormonal complaints, they are still a blind spot within the absenteeism and reintegration policy of many organizations. While it is precisely these complaints that regularly lead to short-term, recurring absenteeism and reduced employability. By making hormonal health a topic of discussion and an integral part of sustainable employability policy, employers can contribute to timely support, less absenteeism, and better reintegration opportunities for women.
