At the Women in Life Science Norway (WiLD Norway) Summer Summit in Oslo on June 3rd, 2025, a powerful presentation sparked important conversations about women’s health in the workplace. The talk revealed eye-opening research showing that although women live longer than men on average, they spend more years experiencing poor health. Unlike men, whose health problems typically increase with age, women face health challenges spread throughout their lives — often linked to specific life phases like perimenopause and menopause.
Research by Hvild and several international studies emphasize that untreated peri- and menopause symptoms are a leading cause of sickness absence for women aged 35 and above. A Hvild survey of women suffering from untreated symptoms found striking workplace consequences:
This shows how pervasive and disruptive menopause symptoms can be — yet they remain largely unrecognized and untreated in the workplace.
Conditions linked to female fertility, such as PMS, PMDD, endometriosis, infertility, and menopause, heavily burden women’s health across their lives. While effective treatments exist for many of these, access is often limited. Tragically, most health insurance policies exclude these women’s health issues.
Men dealing with prostate problems usually receive coverage and treatment support, but women with debilitating menopause symptoms are frequently told to “grin and bear it.” This inequality leads to untreated symptoms worsening and affecting women’s careers and quality of life.
Hvild is changing the game by designing and offering a women’s health platform tailored for employers, focusing on supporting women’s occupational health at every stage. They’ve launched the world’s first menopause insurance, co-created with SCOR, the global reinsurance company.
This insurance model ensures that women with severe menopause symptoms get the care they need right now — transforming lives and workplaces.
With over 1 billion women worldwide going through menopause and about one-third experiencing severe symptoms, the business case is clear:
Women’s health, particularly around menopause, has been overlooked for too long, impacting careers and lives. Innovative solutions like menopause insurance and dedicated support platforms offer hope — enabling women to manage symptoms effectively and thrive at work.
Employers who invest in these initiatives will not only empower their female workforce but also drive meaningful business outcomes.
Ready to support your team with the right tools and care? Start managing menopause symptoms proactively and create a healthier, more inclusive workplace.