Women over 45 are the fastest-growing segment of the UK workforce, yet many are still being left behind by traditional workplace wellbeing strategies. One in ten women have left a job due to menopause symptoms. This isn’t just a personal loss, it’s a business crisis.
When experienced professionals walk away, organisations lose decades of knowledge, leadership, and skill. Replacing a senior-level woman can cost over 200% of her salary. In today’s competitive talent market, that’s a financial hit most businesses can’t afford.
This is where Lifestyle Medicine comes in. This year’s World Menopause Day (18th October) puts the spotlight on lifestyle medicine, a fresh, evidence-based approach that goes beyond surface-level interventions to tackle the root causes of health challenges, including menopause symptoms, through sustainable lifestyle changes.
What is lifestyle medicine?
The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) defines lifestyle medicine as:
“Evidence-based, clinical care that supports behaviour change through person-centred techniques to address the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine: healthy eating, mental wellbeing, healthy relationships, physical activity, minimising harmful substances, and restorative sleep.”
For menopause support in the workplace, this means taking a holistic view of how lifestyle factors from nutrition and stress levels to sleep and movement, impact symptoms and long-term health. Rather than offering one-off fixes, it focuses on empowering people to adopt daily habits that can make a meaningful difference.
Why lifestyle medicine works for menopause support at work
Here are four powerful reasons why embracing a lifestyle medicine approach can revolutionise how your organisation supports women through menopause, and why taking action now is both a strategic and ethical priority.
- 1Goes Beyond Symptoms to Address Root Causes - Traditional approaches often focus purely on symptom management. While important, this can overlook the underlying factors that exacerbate menopause symptoms. Lifestyle medicine addresses the underlying factors from diet to stress that can worsen menopause symptoms, recognising the link between how we live, work, and feel.
- 2Empowers Employees with Practical, Personalised Tools - No two menopause experiences are the same. What works for one person may be ineffective for another. Lifestyle medicine equips employees with adaptable strategies that can be tailored to their unique needs, such as:
By giving employees practical tools they can implement immediately both in and out of work, you’re enabling them to take ownership of their wellbeing journey.
- 3Creates a Culture of Wellbeing and Inclusion - Menopause remains one of the least discussed workplace wellbeing topics, often hidden in stigma. Adopting a proactive approach sends a clear message that your organisation cares. This inclusive stance:
When employees feel seen, heard, and supported, they are more engaged, productive, and loyal, reducing the risk of losing valuable talent.
- 4Future-Proofs Your People Strategy - The legal landscape is shifting, with more employment tribunals citing a lack of menopause support. Implementing a lifestyle medicine framework not only meets current needs but also positions your business as forward-thinking, compliant, and attractive to top talent.
The shift towards a proactive approach that applies the six pillars of lifestyle medicine to menopause support is more than a passing trend; it’s a long-term strategy to retain talent, boost productivity, and build a genuinely inclusive culture.
By moving beyond policies to deliver holistic, empowering support, organisations can help women thrive in the workplace for years to come. This is not just a wellbeing initiative; it’s a business-critical investment.
Book our Women’s Health & Menopause Support webinar this October to align with World Menopause Day 2025 and give your team the tools to thrive.
The Women's Health & Menopause Support webinar is part of our Winter Wellness Webinar Series that includes Men's Health & Mental Resilience as well as Winter Immunity & Seasonal Wellness to help you provide evidence-based support when your people need it most.
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References:
https://empower4life.co.uk/menopause-support-in-the-workplace-2025/
https://www.westfieldhealth.com/resources/wellbeing-trends-2025