Hormonal Health Support at Work Improves Employee Productivity and Engagement
Women’s Wellness Journey At Work
Unlocking hormonal health support in the workplace will benefit employee wellness, engagement and productivity
Today’s businesses are pouring resources into improving workplace productivity, with hefty investments in AI, automation, and analytics to boost efficiency and enhance employees’ work skills.
But there is one important productivity dynamic they typically overlook: women’s health and
wellness at work.
​
Women spend 25% more of their lives than men do in poor health, much of it during their working years, a recent global McKinsey study found. Workplace investments in improving women’s health are extremely cost-effective, producing three dollars of ROI for every dollar invested, according to the study. Collectively, these efforts could boost the global economy by at least $1 trillion annually by 2040.
​
These numbers may seem surprising—after all, most workplaces already provide healthcare access. But there are often glaring gaps in clinical guidelines and patient support options for women’s health across the nation, especially when it comes to their hormonal health. As a result, women are more likely than men to experience delays in diagnosis and treatment, leaving them to self-manage their health, and suffer in silence.
Workplace investments in improving women’s health are extremely cost-effective, producing three dollars of ROI for every dollar invested.
For example, patients with endometriosis—a chronic disease that affects 190 million women—have experienced diagnostic delays of up to 10 years. In the meantime, they endure severe pain, nausea, fatigue, iron deficiency anemia and sometimes depression and anxiety at work, as well as at home. The situation is similar for other hormonal health and wellness issues women experience, including menopause complications, PCOS and thyroid dysfunction, which impacts their metabolism and energy capacity.
Hormonal disorders disproportionately affect women in midlife, who are often long-term senior employees with priceless institutional knowledge. A lack of menopause support at work can cause them to take extended absences, while ineffective treatments increase employers’ healthcare costs. And women of any age often feel uncomfortable discussing hormonal health in the workplace, so they often push through the pain and discomfort and keep working—but not at their full capacity or desired productivity level (the problem of “presenteeism”).
​
Women who don’t receive the support they need throughfrom either their family doctor or through a telemedicine clinic, often turn to social media for help. While their frustration is understandable, these platforms were never designed as sources of evidence-based medical advice, and so they can make misleading claims and exacerbate confusion and health risks to women.
Improving Hormonal Health and Wellness in the Workplace
By providing support channels for hormonal health and wellness, companies can make an enormous difference to women whose work is disrupted by chronic conditions, helping them improve treatment outcomes and become happier and more productive employees—which in turn can increase loyalty, boost productivity and extend longevity in the job.
​
One particularly effective solution is AI Virtual Assistants, which can provide evidence-based answers to questions anytime and refer women to medical resources that align with their symptoms and health condition. AI Virtual Assistants can open up the pathway to expert telehealth consultations with a women's health physician, which in turn helps women get faster and reliable access to the hormonal healthcare they need.
​
Though it’s still early days for AI, research already points to positive results. Scientists at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that AI-powered virtual assistants are invaluable resources for women experiencing menopausal issues, providing science-based information about symptom management through both medical therapies and alternative treatments.
​
A clinical trial found that group education and personalized support reduces physical and psychological symptoms for menopausal women, significantly improving their quality of life after six months.
Employers can extend further support through employee resource groups and EAP programs geared toward promoting hormonal health and wellness in the workplace. Online community groups where women can connect and share their experiences are also helpful, relieving the isolation and anxiety many feel about managing menopause and other health conditions that affect their work performance.
​
Research supports these solutions, too. A clinical trial found that group education and personalized support reduces physical and psychological symptoms for menopausal women, significantly improving their quality of life after six months. After 12 months, the benefits are even more pronounced. Other studies have found positive results for PCOS support groups, which have improved women’s confidence in their ability to manage the condition and given them a greater sense of control over their healthcare decisions.
The evidence is clear: Women face unique challenges in managing their hormonal health while balancing work responsibilities. And by empowering them with personalized health solutions and community support, companies not only improve productivity and lower healthcare expenses, but foster a supportive workplace culture that promotes retention and serves as a welcoming beacon for the younger generation of women and also future hires.
Visit Healthyher.Life Resources To Learn More
A Reliable Solution to Improve Women’s Wellness at Work
Healthyher.Life is a comprehensive women’s health navigation platform providing personalized, AI-guided support for women managing chronic hormonal health conditions –such has menopause, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid and others. Members engage with Hailey™, our AI Health Concierge™ that delivers trusted, evidence-based answers to questions on women’s hormonal health topics at anytime, 24/7. Companies and organizations can subscribe to the Healthyher.Life platform to provide employees access to a suite of trusted hormonal health solutions that includes: Hailey™ AI Health Concierge™ for 24/7 virtual support, the Knowledge Center collection of science-based health education, Women Talking™ webinars led by expert physicians, community groups for peer-to-peer support and access to the Marketplace of quality-assured health and wellness products at discounted member prices.