Female doctors suffer ‘sexist behaviour’ over menopause symptoms

“Sexist and ageist” attitudes can lead to female doctors struggling with menopause symptoms with no support, a new report has suggested.

Some medics said they would be “laughed at or ridiculed” if they spoke about the menopause, according to a British Medical Association (BMA) document.

Symptomssuchasinsomnia, fatigue, loss of confidence and debilitating hot flushes were cited by 90 per cent of doctors as affecting their ability to work. More than a third (38 per cent) said the menopause had a “significant” impact on their working lives, the survey of 2,000 medics found.

The findings, presented in a new BMA report about doctors and the menopause, found that almost half (47 per cent) said they wanted to discuss menopause symptoms with their managers but felt unable to do so.

The report stated: “The survey provided examples of sexist and ageist behaviours in the workplace, which led some to believe that they would be laughed at or ridiculed if they spoke about the menopause.

“Some respondents who were in male-dominated specialties believed that raising the topic and asking for changes or adjustments to helpthemmanagetheirsymptoms would be viewed negatively and add to the gender bias they already experienced.

“There was concern that it would damage their career progression and they would be labelled as ‘not up to the job’ or that colleagues would think they were ‘past it’ and career opportunities would be taken away.”

The union called for more open discussions about the topic, giving women access to flexible working and other workplace adjustments and supporting their mental health and welling.

It also called for the development of an “inclusive culture” to stamp out sexist and ageist behaviour in the workplace.

The report’s authors said the health service “cannot afford” to lose experienced doctors because of a “lack of flexibility and support during a relatively short phase in life”.

The document details how many women had reduced their hours, left management roles or intend to leave medicine altogether because of the difficulties they faced when going through menopause.

The BMA estimates that around 30,000 women doctors in the UK are of an age where they could be going through the menopause.