How menopause contributes to ‘Sicknote Britain’: 60,000 people out of work long-term due to symptoms, figures show – costing the economy £1.5 billion a year

Menopause is contributing to the UK’s sick note culture, with 60,000 women out of work with long-term symptoms, a report has found.

These absences cost the economy £1.5 billion a year, according to an estimate by the NHS Confederation, which represents health organisations.

The report shows that women with severe mental or physical symptoms are less likely to be employed than the rest of the population, and are twice as likely to be economically inactive due to health problems.

Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, when the ovaries stop producing estrogen, which causes menstruation to stop and can lead to hot flashes and insomnia.

About 4.5 million women in Britain are going through menopause.

Menopause is contributing to the UK’s sick note culture, with 60,000 women out of work with long-term symptoms, a report has found (file image)

The report shows that women with severe mental or physical symptoms are less likely to be employed than the rest of the population (file image)

Researchers further found that absenteeism from work due to heavy and painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts costs the UK economy £11 billion a year.

It argued that every additional £1 invested in obstetrics and gynecology services to speed up access to care will result in an £11 return on investment.

In Britain, 750,000 women are on NHS waiting lists for gynecology services, and 83 percent of those with long-term conditions say they struggle to work.

There are a near-record 2.6 million people out of work in Britain due to long-term illness, and absenteeism rates are higher among women than men.

The report, which included analysis by the consultancy London Economics, makes a series of policy recommendations, including increasing research funding for women’s health issues and improving education for doctors.

Dr. Layla McCay, policy director at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘This report highlights the urgent need for sustainable funding to support the ten-year Women’s Health Strategy for England, and women’s health more broadly.

‘The findings show that investing in women’s healthcare is not just a matter of improving health outcomes; there is also an economic imperative that has far-reaching benefits for our entire society.

‘Investments in women’s health can deliver an estimated return of £11 for every additional £1 spent per woman in England, demonstrating the economic viability of such a commitment.

‘By addressing women’s health more effectively, we can alleviate significant economic burdens such as absenteeism and lost productivity… benefiting businesses and the economy as a whole.

In Britain, 750,000 women are on NHS waiting lists for gynecology services, and 83 percent of those with long-term conditions say they struggle to work (file image)

‘Most importantly, these measures can ensure that every woman gets the support she deserves when faced with health challenges.

“Now is the time for decisive action, and we urge the government to include these crucial measures in their 10-year health plan.”

A separate interim report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives found that an average of 300,000 people per year have left the workforce in poor health over the past decade.

The study calls for early support for workers with health conditions to stay or return to work amid a rapidly increasing benefit bill.

On average, between 2014 and 2023, only 3.6 percent of economically inactive people aged 16 to 64 went to work with work-limiting health problems each year.

This is almost three times lower than the rate for people without long-term health problems (9.5 percent).

According to the Commission, set up by the Health Foundation think tank, people with work-restricting conditions are also three times more likely to move from work to inactivity than people without long-term health problems.

Sacha Romanovitch, chair of the Commission for a Healthier Working Life, said: ‘When people have safe and satisfying work, they can support their families and contribute to society, which in turn benefits their health.

‘If we intervene early and provide the right support, people can stay at work longer. That is a goal that is great for individuals, great for companies and great for society.’