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Are You a Working Woman In Midlife? This One's For You.

A new wave of menopause-related research is revealing just how much menopause can affect women's working lives. And it's not all bad.

Aubrey Hirsch

Aubrey Hirsch

— 2 min read
Are You a Working Woman In Midlife? This One's For You.
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
Comic: A woman stands beneath a wave as it crashes, saying 'uh oh'. The wave has words like 'menopause challenges' and 'work outcomes in midlife women' written in it. The caption reads: 'a new wave of menopause-related workforce research is revealing just how much menopause can affect women's working lives.'
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
Comic panel is divided into three sections. The first reads: '9 in 10 women experience: disrupted sleep, brain fog, just feeling "off"'. Second reads: '8 in 10 women experience: hot flashes, anxiety/depression'. Final one reads: 7 in 10 women experience: headaches, joint pain. Caption reads: Menopause and perimenopause symptoms are real and can be incredibly disruptive'
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
Caption for this panel reads: Despite these challenges, women in midlife continue to excel at work. Beneath are illustrated examples: 93% reported meeting all of their job requirements, but at great cost to their personal well-being. 17% said they could do so comfortably. 74% say that they often or always felt unwell while working. Examples are illustrated with a donut, a cup of coffee and a clock turned into pie charts.
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
A woman juggles balls emblazoned with 'work stress', 'brain fog', 'elder care', 'holiday cards', 'bills due', 'day care closed'. Caption reads: Hormonal changes won't happen in isolation. Many women experience them while also balancing paid work, unpaid caregiving, and family responsibilities. These overlapping demands can intensify stress and affect career trajectories.
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
Drawings of a wheelchair, weather emojis, a baby's stroller. Captions read: All of these outside forces have measurable economic impacts. The average decrease in income of women doing unpaid eldercare is 4.2%-9.5%. Unmanaged menopause symptoms cost the US economy an estimated $26 billion annually. The motherhood wage penalty is about 5% per child.
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
Two people stand on piles of cash next to flags. A man in a suit is on a larger pile, next to a blue flag. A woman in a business suit folds her arms next to a red flag on a much lower pile of cash. Caption: Because of these cumulative pressures, women hit their peak earnings at 44, while men's earning potential continue to grow well into their 50s.
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
Caption reads: As demographics shift, an increasing number of working women will navigate menopause alongside their professional and caregiving responsibilities. A chart illustrates this.
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
A woman looks up from her laptop as a hand waters a plant on her desk. Caption reads: Supporting women workers through this stage of life can no longer be optional. It's essential for workforce retention and economic equity.
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
A woman stands in front of a whiteboard with the words 'SICK LEAVE: cold, flu, menstruation, menopause symptoms' written on it. The caption reads: Employers can support women by providing access to care, fighting stigma, and fostering open dialogue about policies like flexible hours and sick leave. A speech bubble from the woman adds: Don't forget, you can use sick days for anything that affects your physical wellbeing.
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
A woman stares into a mirror. Post-it notes around her read: I am ENOUGH, My needs matter, Aging is growing, I deserve to take care of myself! Caption reads: And if you're a working woman in midlife, it's so important to remind yourself that menopause symptoms are real and that your need for support is not a sign of weakness. You should feel empowered to advocate for what you need to thrive!
Comic by Aubrey Hirsch
Aubrey Hirsch writes GRAPHIC RAGE on Substack. Her comics have appeared in TIME, Vox, The Washington Post and elsewhere.

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