And at her most recent appointment? Her own dentist was reluctant to talk to her about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe board got through their first five minutes of being surprised and \u2018Are we really talking about this?\u2019 and then something amazing happened,\u201d she says. \u201cThey had science and information about menopause to connect with their wives and daughters in new ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chavarria doesn\u2019t shy away from sharing her own menopause stories \u2013 whether with her board or her 5,000 employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t ignore it when half of the population is going to go through menopause,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Even with more women 55<\/a> and older in the workforce than ever before, women often are afraid to talk about menopause in the office. They fear disclosing brain fog will make them appear less competent, that talking with younger or male coworkers who may not understand menopause will lead to discrimination.<\/p>\n While employer support is still low, fewer than 5% offer meaningful programs<\/a>, more companies are adding improved coverage for hormone therapy, paid time off and even regulating the office thermostat. This summer Rhode Island<\/a> became the first state to mandate that companies offer accommodations menopause symptoms.<\/p>\n With 1 in 10 women leaving the workforce because of menopause, according to the Society for Human Resource Management<\/a>, and another 1 in 5 considering retiring early, researchers say it\u2019s become the menopause penalty.<\/a> It can lead to fewer women leaders at a time when they make up fewer than one-third of the spots.<\/a><\/p>\n Chavarria, who introduced Delta Dental\u2019s first menopause report<\/a> three years ago, says policies such as remote work can help. But what\u2019s most important is that women see a health care provider, that practitioners from dentists to primary care doctors know how to help, and that the treatment is covered.<\/p>\n \u201cSharing my own story can encourage others to talk about menopause at work, to get help or see their doctor,\u201d she says. \u201cBut first we need to be OK talking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Menopause care is lacking, leading to delays in care experts say<\/p>\n Dr. Stephanie Faubion of the Menopause Society says medical schools need better menopause training to prevent misdiagnosis and improve patient care.<\/p>\n When quitting feels like the only option<\/p>\n For Khris Rogers, the symptoms that consumed her during perimenopause stole her ability to keep her job.<\/p>\n Her periods became so heavy that her 90-minute commute as an office manager in Southern California became impossible without a break. She had joint pain and frozen shoulder, hot flashes that interrupted her sleep. Her patience felt shorter.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything just became harder,\u201d Rogers, 52, says. \u201cI had to be realistic. I just couldn\u2019t deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Menopause<\/a> and perimenopause can result in more than 103 symptoms<\/a> ranging from fatigue to severe tooth decay and brain fog that leave women missing more days of work, diminished productivity and reduced earning potential. They often suffer for years before diagnosis or treatment.<\/p>\n Rogers was in the middle of a divorce. Her two children were grown. It took several frustrating medical appointments before she finally found a provider online for hormone therapy.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a day when I just wasn\u2019t coming in. And I thought, I\u2019m not coming back,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n She moved in with her mother and started a cat sitting and coaching business<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now she has three employees and sets her own schedule giving her the flexibility to better manage her symptoms.<\/p>\n \u201cI can go home during the day and take a nap if I need to,\u201d she says. \u201cI should have done this years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/85380781007-getty-images-1477775902-1.jpg\"\/)
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