The Workplace Health Gap

Women make up nearly half of today’s workforce, but systems are still catching up

Women make up nearly half of today’s workforce, yet many still find themselves facing structures that were not built with their health needs in mind. While hybrid schedules, flexible hours, and remote options have transformed the way we work, there is still progress to be made in fully supporting women through key life stages like menstrual health, pregnancy, maternity, childcare, and menopause.

We surveyed 2,000 women aged 16-55+ to uncover how the workplace health gap is impacting their careers. From attitudes around 'professionalism' and menstrual health to menopause support, here’s what we found — and why it’s time for us all to do better.

Let’s talk biology. The 9-5 workday was designed back in 1926, when the workforce was 80% men. This setup works well for men, whose hormone levels operate on a 24-hour cycle. Driven primarily by testosterone, male energy levels peak in the morning and decline by the evening, resetting every day in time for that 9 am start. Women’s hormones, however, operate on a 28-day cycle, influencing energy levels, mood, and cognitive function in ways that can make sticking to traditional work structures a challenge.

More than half of the women we surveyed wouldn’t feel comfortable asking for time off for period-related pain, meaning women are prioritising the expectations of others over their own needs.

Our survey also found that over 1 in 10 women feel that their periods have held them back from career growth, rising to 20% in women aged 16-24. Not only this, but 47% of women under 35 feel as though their earning potential has been impacted by their menstrual health.

The reality is, the traditional 9-5 work structure isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. While workplaces are beginning to recognise the need for greater flexibility with working hours, turning to accessible support options, such as the contraceptive pill and cycle management tools, can be a great first step in managing menstrual challenges alongside work demands.

Pregnancy and maternity leave have disrupted careers ever since women entered the workplace. Women have to consider how taking time out of work to have a baby might affect their progression. Nearly ¼ of the women we surveyed have considered delaying or avoiding pregnancy due to concerns about how it might impact their career, and more than 1 in 20 (7%) have had an abortion to prevent setbacks in their career.

Although women now have legal protection from discrimination, unfair treatment, and dismissal related to pregnancy or maternity, policies and attitudes in many workplaces haven’t progressed at the same rate as the law. In male-dominated industries like law and engineering, support is particularly lacking, with almost half of the women working in these fields reporting feeling unsupported during pregnancy.

Not only this, but nearly half of women don’t believe their employer provides adequate care after pregnancy loss. 1 in 7 women we surveyed report having returned to work within 24 hours of experiencing a miscarriage, rising to 1 in 6 women aged 35-44.

The rise in post-pandemic return-to-office mandates has added new pressure, with half of women aged 35–44 struggling to balance work and childcare. Combined with the fact that women still carry out 60% more unpaid work than men, many are now facing burnout both at home and in the workplace.

We presented our findings to Mikaela Jackson, founder of She Almighty, a coaching and personal development business that empowers women to succeed in the workplace worldwide, who said:

And while maternity leave laws are improving, change has been slow. Until the UK’s Employment Rights Bill was passed in 2024, giving day-one parental rights to workers, many women weren’t entitled to maternity pay unless they’d worked at a company for a set period of time.

The fastest-growing workforce demographic? Women over 50. The least-supported workforce demographic? Women over 50.

With the UK state pension age increasing to 67, more women are working through perimenopause and menopause. We spoke to Deborah Garlick, founder of Henpicked, an organisation that trains workplaces to manage and support women through menopause.

“Gender equality needs action on menopause and menstruation. Research proves you cannot achieve true equality without addressing both. The Employment Rights Bill is moving fast through Parliament and larger employers will soon have to take action, but responsible organisations aren’t waiting. They know that supporting menopause and menstruation isn’t a ‘nice to have’. It’s essential for retention, workplace equality, and long-term business success. The best time to act is now. When leaders and colleagues feel comfortable talking about menopause, it's a game changer."

It’s no surprise, then, that women feel ill-equipped to advocate for their needs in the workplace. Our survey found that:

• Only 39% of over 45-year-old women surveyed felt as though their workplace offers sufficient awareness, policies, or support for employees experiencing menopause, with women working in arts and culture (29%), architecture, building & engineering (34%) and education (36%) suffering the most.
• Nearly ⅓ (28%) of women fear that menopause could impact/has impacted their career progression.
• 35% of women over 45 say menopause has impacted their earning potential, whether through missed promotions or slowed career progression.

“These numbers are stark,” says Deborah, “a third say menopause has impacted their earning potential and over 40% say the same for menstrual health. For many, this isn’t just about taking time off; it’s about making life-changing decisions - leaving jobs, going part-time or stepping back from career ambitions. In the short term, that’s a big loss. In the long term, it’s tragic, affecting income, financial independence and long-term pension provision to enjoy life in retirement.”

The result? Women are leaving the workforce in record numbers. Not because they want to, but because they feel they have no choice.

While we wait for broader workplace changes to better support women through menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help to manage many of the most challenging menopause symptoms, making it easier for women to continue thriving at work. Whether it’s the ease of popping an Evorel Sequi patch under work clothes, taking a Kliofem tablet during a mid-morning coffee break or adding Estriol cream into an evening routine, there are plenty of options available to help women feel more comfortable managing their HRT in the workplace.

The bigger picture: a culture that needs to evolve

Attitudes towards what is seen as ‘professional’ and ‘acceptable’ are often intrinsically linked with women’s health and women’s health choices. Even just asking for menstrual health accommodations has been avoided by almost ⅓ of women for fear of seeming unprofessional.

This permeates discussions around pregnancy, too, with 1 in 5 women under 35 reporting that they’ve downplayed or concealed a pregnancy at work due to fears of being seen as less capable or professional. These attitudes are also impacting women’s career growth, with nearly ⅓ of women having witnessed a colleague being passed over for promotion due to pregnancy.

When asked how lack of support impacts women's careers, Mikaela Jackson noted:

"The women I coach have high ambitions but often overdeliver at the expense of their own health. Organisations must create supportive environments where women can thrive without fear of judgement or burnout."

Workplaces can:

• Offer flexible working policies that acknowledge menstrual health challenges.
• Provide meaningful miscarriage, maternity, and childcare support.
• Create menopause-friendly policies that address real, lived experiences.

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we believe that supporting women’s health through accessible services and inclusive practices is critical. While we’re proud of the healthcare support we offer today, we recognise that creating a fully supportive workplace for women is an ongoing journey, and one we’re committed to.

Whatever you need to support your reproductive health needs, Superdrug Online Doctor can help. From the contraceptive pill and fertility testing to HRT, our women’s health products are easy to access via a simple online consultation and can be delivered securely and discreetly to your front door. Find out all you need to know here.