A personal one for me…
For too long, women’s health has been treated as a personal matter, something to manage quietly and individually. In reality, it shows up at work every day, influencing energy, concentration, resilience, and attendance across the working life of a woman. I speak from experience as someone who from puberty suffered from heavy and painful periods and was much later diagnosed with endometriosis and fibroids, only to be followed by early menopause and all of the joyous symptoms that came with that at 44 years old. It definitely impacted my career trajectory; the silver lining being that it inspired me to learn more about my body and eventually retrain in nutrition. Below is some of what I’ve learned along the way…
Women’s health impacts performance - not just wellbeing
Hormonal health affects far more than reproductive health. Across the menstrual cycle, during fertility journeys, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause, hormonal changes can influence:
Energy levels and fatigue
Cognitive function and focus
Stress tolerance and emotional regulation
Sleep quality
Attendance and engagement
These changes don’t happen in isolation; they happen during meetings, deadlines, commutes, and long working days.
In the UK, menopause alone is increasingly recognised as a workplace issue, with many women reporting that symptoms negatively affect their professional lives. But menopause is not the beginning of workplace health challenges . Earlier transitions, including menstrual health and perimenopause, also have a measurable impact on performance and retention, particularly for women in their 30s and 40s.
The cost of overlooking women’s health
Ignoring women’s health in corporate wellbeing strategies often results in:
Increased sickness absence
Reduced engagement and confidence
Higher turnover of experienced female employees
Women stepping back from progression or leadership opportunities
Supporting women’s health is not about special treatment; it’s about creating environments where people can function at their best.
Nutrition: practical, every day support
One of the most overlooked levers for workplace women’s health is nutrition.
Nutrition underpins:
Hormone production and regulation
Blood sugar balance and energy stability
Stress hormone (aka cortisol) response
Cognitive performan ce and mood
Importantly, nutrition support is not medical treatment. It complements clinical care and policy approaches, providing workplaces a practical and inclusive way to support wellbeing. Simple strategies, such as supporting regular meals, adequate protein, hydration, and balanced snacks can make a tangible difference to energy, focus, and resilience during the working day.
Supporting women at work and what organisations gain
When workplaces proactively support women’s health, the benefits are clear:
More stable energy and focus
Improved resilience during hormonal transitions
Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism
Stronger retention of experienced women
An open culture that genuinely supports equity and inclusion
These gains are tangible, measurable, and directly linked to business performance. Small, consistent supports often have a disproportionate positive impact.
Looking ahead
Later this year, as International Women’s Day approaches, conversations about workplace support for women’s health will come into sharper focus. Organisations that understand the value of investing in women’s health; including practical nutrition and everyday support will be better placed to give women what they need and gain the benefits in return.
For now, the key takeaway is clear: women’s health is a workplace issue, and supporting it benefits everyone.