London and South East beat national score for workplace menopause support

WOMEN living in London and the South East feel the most supported while experiencing the menopause at work, a survey of 1,000 women in the UK has revealed, with 59% of women in London and 55% in the South East saying they feel ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ supported. This is compared to the combined score of respondents across all regions, where 50% stated they felt supported. Yorkshire and the Humber ranked the lowest for support, with just 45% of survey respondents living there agreeing with the statement.

The new study, commissioned by women’s wellness specialist Serenova for International Women’s Day, surveyed perimenopausal, menopausal or post-menopausal women aged 30+ to find out more about their experiences with the menopause in the workplace.
Key findings included the fact that of the women surveyed, just 18% said that their workplace had a menopause policy. This comes just as the government launched its gender pay gap and menopause acton plan guidance on 4 March 2026, which will be compulsory for large businesses by April 2027.

As well as offering an overall view of the current state of the nation’s menopause support, the survey findings were separated by sector to understand the true split across each workplace, and learn who may be missing out.

According to the survey, women working in healthcare and social services feel the most supported while experiencing the menopause or menopause symptoms at work. 57% of women working in this sector agree that they feel ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ supported. This was followed by public services, law and security (53%), education and non-profit (52%), and business finance and professional services (48%). Women working in retail reported feeling supported at work the least, with just 44% agreeing with the statement.

Of the respondents who worked in healthcare and social services – which ranked the highest sector for menopause support – while 36% said that their employer doesn’t provide any support provisions, 22% said they had a menopause policy, followed by 16% that stated their employer provided counselling support.

In comparison, just 15% of retail workers in the survey said that their place of work had a menopause policy, 8% had counselling and 10% had menopause leave. This is higher than workers in healthcare and social services however, where just 7% had menopause leave.

Elle Sheppard, global head of marketing and communications at Serenova said: “Mid-life women have so many pressures to face, the last thing they need is to feel like they have to suffer in silence at work, or worse, get forced into leaving a career they love due to a lack of support. Going through the menopause – including the peri and post stages – can last for years; this isn’t just a ‘flash in the pan’ day when you don’t feel your best, it’s a long period of lacking confidence, feeling exhausted and putting up with physical pain too.

“Serenova was launched on International Women’s Day last year, with a goal of helping women take charge of their wellbeing so they can navigate this life phase with clarity and confidence. As we celebrate our first anniversary, we wanted to find out how supported women really feel, to shine a light on the reality of navigating midlife as a woman.”

Serenova is a supplements brand that simplifies women’s wellness underpinned by the belief that for too long, women have been searching for answers for the experiences and symptoms they face during the stages of menopause.

Backed by science, refined by real women, and trusted for results you can feel, Serenova makes midlife wellness effortless, honest, and empowering. Each blend combines proven nutrients and botanicals to support the body’s natural rhythm, for better days, better nights, and a calmer you.