Core Concepts
Freelancing women face unique challenges during menopause that can adversely impact their professional lives, but proactive strategies can help them maintain career success.
Abstract
The article discusses the unique challenges that self-employed freelancing women face during the menopause transition. It highlights that while maintaining a successful freelancing career is already challenging for both women and men, women encounter an additional obstacle as they go through menopause.
The menopause transition is not just a period marked by hot flashes and mood swings for many women. Some suffer from significant-to-severe physical and psychological symptoms that can have adverse effects for months or even years, which can derail their professional lives. In fact, according to a UK Parliament report, 3 out of 5 women had problems with work during their menopause.
The article notes that most career-related menopause data focuses on women in traditional employment, but self-employed freelancers face unique challenges. They don't have the support of an employer, and their work life naturally includes factors such as financial stress and psychosocial problems like isolation, which are thought to increase the likelihood of having menopausal-related work problems.
The article suggests that while you can't predict how the menopause will affect you and your freelancing career, you can prepare yourself by understanding some of the common problems women experience with work at this time of life. By being proactive and implementing strategies to manage the challenges, freelancing women can maintain their career success during the menopause transition.
Stats
According to a UK Parliament report, 3 out of 5 women had problems with work during their menopause.
Quotes
"This isn't just a period marked by hot flashes and mood swings for many women. Some suffer from significant-to-severe physical and psychological symptoms that can have adverse effects for months or even years and that can derail their professional lives."
"They don't have the support of an employer. Their work life naturally includes factors — such as financial stress and psychosocial problems like isolation — that are thought to increase the likelihood of having menopausal-related work problems."