Lack of menopause awareness, support leaves some women ‘blindsided’ at work
The Globe and Mail, July 2025
Supporting women through menopause is not just a benefit; it's a business imperative.
Alongside the incredible Janet Ko, co-founder of Menopause Foundation of Canada, Coven's co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michelle Jacobson OBGYN, was recently featured in an important The Globe and Mail article, shedding critical light on a pervasive issue: the lack of menopause awareness and support that is blindsiding women in the workplace.
"We're having a lot of conversations with women who are very surprised that they're having symptoms in their 40s... And women are often gaslit and told it's all in their head when it's very much a biological process." Dr. Jacobson highlights that perimenopause can begin as early as 35, bringing a wide array of disruptive symptoms beyond hot flashes – from joint pain and brain fog to mood changes and sleep disturbance.
This isn't just a personal challenge; it's a workplace issue impacting productivity, retention, and overall employee well-being.
In 2023, the Menopause Foundation of Canada released a report called Menopause and Work in Canada that quantified the economic impact of the unmanaged symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, brain fog, anxiety, depression, heart palpitations, vaginal dryness, bladder control issues and joint pain, at a staggering $3.5-billion.
The good news, as Dr. Jacobson emphasizes, is that "We don't need to suffer in silence. There are effective, evidence-based treatments that can improve quality of life" and support women in the workplace as they go through menopause.
At Coven Women's Health, we are dedicated to being the solution. Under Dr. Jacobson's expert leadership, our multidisciplinary virtual clinic provides integrated, evidence-based care for women navigating these complex hormonal transitions. We're committed to ensuring women feel heard, validated, and empowered with the right support.
This article is a vital reminder for all organizations: supporting women through menopause is not just a benefit; it's a business imperative.
Read the full article.
