oneโข in Three Women Experience Hormone-Related Work Challenges, Prompting calls for Workplace Changes & Research
THE HAGUE – A significant portion of the dutch workforce – roughly one in three women – grapple with hormone-related complaints that impact their ability to perform at work, according to recent research from โขStatistics Netherlands and TNO.โ The findings are โfueling a growingโฃ discussionโค about workplace culture, โขthe need for better support for women experiencing menstrual problems, and the urgent demand for improved diagnostics and treatments.
The study highlights a critical gap in addressing the impact of conditions like menstruation, perimenopause, and endometriosis on professional lives. Experts emphasize that these aren’t simply “personal” issues, but significant factors affecting productivity, career progression, and overall health equity. While organizations like Statistics Netherlands and TNO recommend fostering open and healthy work environments that acknowledge these challenges, advocates are pushing for more concrete action, including increased โresearch funding and potential policy changes.
Researchers stress the importance of supporting women who regularly โexperience menstrualโฃ problems, noting the long-term implications for their careers. “As they still have a whole career,” the institutes wrote, underscoring the need for sustainable solutions.
Gynecologist Huirne welcomes the increased attention to the issue, โpointing to examples like Spain, where someโข cities are piloting menstrual leave programs.โ “That is good for emancipation,” she stated, adding that women โคexperience moreโค years of poor healthโ than men. However,she argues โthat simply accommodating symptoms โคisn’t โenough. “You accept that women areโ going to suffer at home. I argue for solving the problem by developing better diagnostics and better treatments. This โrequires more research.”
The call for improved medical solutions reflectsโ aโฃ broader push to move beyond โsymptomโ management and address the root causes ofโข hormone-related health issues, ultimately aiming to create a more equitable and supportive work โคenvironment for all women.