---
title: We Need Legal Menopause Protections
date: 2026-04-17T14:01:00-04:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/legal-menopause-protections"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# We Need Legal Menopause Protections

U.S. laws do not protect us when perimenopause or menopause affects us in the workplace. Employers don't have to accommodate our perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms. In fact, they can fire us for those symptoms. We may hesitate even to talk about menopause at work because of the stigma and shame that still surround open discussion of the menstrual cycle.

This article in "The Conversation" highlights the experiences of menopausal people in the workplace and what the government and employers could do to protect them. Federal law recognizes pregnancy discrimination as a form of sex discrimination. Pregnancy accommodations, as well as breastfeeding protections, provide models for addressing the needs of perimenopausal and menopausal people in the workplace as well. In the meantime, some employers are instituting accommodations like climate-controlled spaces for breaks, or more flexible dress codes.

> Employees who do speak up and seek accommodations for their menopausal symptoms, which might include dress code adjustments to deal with hot flashes, are often out of luck.No federal law requires employers to accommodate menopausal symptoms.Although the Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” for workers with disabilities, U.S. courts have consistently held that menopause, by itself, is not a disability, even when its symptoms are seriously affecting someone’s ability to do their job.

[Read the full article ](https://theconversation.com/millions-of-women-are-working-during-menopause-but-us-law-isnt-clear-on-employees-rights-or-employers-obligations-206354)

SOURCE: The Conversation • AUTHOR: Naomi Cahn, Bridget J. Crawford, and Emily Gold Waldman • LAST UPDATED: June 9, 2023

![A woman sitting at a desk fanning herself](data:image/png;base64,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) Iryna/Adobe Stock

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ menopause & perimenopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/menopause-perimenopause)
- [ diverse lived experiences of perimenopause & menopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/diverse-lived-experiences-menopause-perimenopause)
- [public policy](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/public-policy)
- [perimenopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/perimenopause)
- [support](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/support)
- [menopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/menopause)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## The Cost of Menopause for Women in the Workplace

A 2023 study by the Mayo Clinic highlights the economic price of menopause for women in the workplace.

![Linkedin sales navigator 1251828 3 e1687296359500 jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A 2023 study by the Mayo Clinic highlights the economic price of menopause for women in the workplace.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/the-cost-of-menopause-for-women-in-the-workplace)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Coping with Perimenopause

JF discusses her perimenopause symptoms. She explains her difficulty with the healthcare system and finding a perimenopause specialist.

![My Story- Coping with Perimenopause](data:image/png;base64,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)

JF discusses her perimenopause symptoms. She explains her difficulty with the healthcare system and finding a perimenopause specialist.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-coping-with-perimenopause)

[ResourcesRead

## Shifting the Narrative Around Menopause

Omisade Burney-Scott, the founder of Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause, argues for a shift in the narrative and culture around aging and menopause.

![werner-pfennig-6477851-3](data:image/png;base64,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)

Omisade Burney-Scott, the founder of Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause, argues for a shift in the narrative and culture around aging and menopause.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/shifting-the-narrative-around-menopause)

[ResourcesRead

## We Need Better Menopause Care

Our health care system need to provide better menopause care. What do we need and how can we advocate for it?

![An older woman sits with a doctor](data:image/png;base64,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)

Our health care system need to provide better menopause care. What do we need and how can we advocate for it?](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/we-need-better-menopause-care)

[ResourcesRead

## The Importance of Demystifying Perimenopause

Endocrinology professor and menstrual cycle researcher Dr. Jerilynn Prior addresses common misconceptions about perimenopause.

![Jerilynn-Prior](data:image/png;base64,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)

Endocrinology professor and menstrual cycle researcher Dr. Jerilynn Prior addresses common misconceptions about perimenopause.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/demystifying-perimenopause)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Menopause Stories

In this video, women talk about their experiences of menopause, including the physical changes and how going through menopause shifted their views on aging.

![Menopause Stories scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

In this video, women talk about their experiences of menopause, including the physical changes and how going through menopause shifted their views on aging.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/menopause-stories)

[ResourcesRead

## What Fresh Hell Is This? Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, and You

Tips for taking care of yourself and getting through perimenopause and menopause.

![The book cover to What Fresh Hell Is This: red, white, and orange flames are in the background with the title in black bold letters on the left.](data:image/png;base64,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)

Tips for taking care of yourself and getting through perimenopause and menopause.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/what-fresh-hell-is-this-perimenopause-menopause-other-indignities-and-you)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## Women’s Voices: The Lived Experience of the Path To Menopause

Most women assume that menopause-related changes will happen at age 50 or later. But for many, the changes begin long before that, while periods are still coming monthly.

![Nina coslov](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFp0lEQVRIiVVW2a5ktw2sotTLNeKnGPD//1we4pkgntvLkURW5UHnjh2B3ZC6oSqS4sb//DgMq7TWmnMex/F+v1+v1/PxfDwez8fj+Xi+Hs/j/Z7HUCaA3uJyudzut/vH/f7xcf+43z4+bh/36+12vV379dovPXqPvQDAsG3ANgCfx7/vAWMvwjC4D3/9YWwAAN63N567VDYkSSVJki3vr723YdnCeW1zmPv4JbYtW5JFmRIABnpm2S5VZVVVZu5NValKJVdZgkyLNmGYtCHRguRTStpXgiSIrVlfa51vkGvlysyVK3NVZlWqUlWuggoSJcJB0ic6JG9VstSyIkAaCJsRjOhzTsNb9zXnnHN9rVxZK5WpTFehCioCJClRggpVqHKmWqt2ostia4xgsB9jwC5VrlxrzjG2rDlyzlyzcjnTmahkKYggooJV3NC5tKKCIGSXFdXYGiJI9uN421YpM+eac4xxHGPTzJFz1pxaC7mYSYkkAbZgFTLRmrMpovbjSKxka2gNQZD99XrZlpSZazMcxzje4zjWcawxck6t6bWQSTvIIKLICmaghRdPdAtVyIYIR5wEz9cThqqycs215hzHMd7HfL/Hcaxx1DhqDqzFKtoRETSDkYkIB0XAlgrV3ZojFOGgSZP9+XjuKKraPpprHPM45vtY73e+jxqHx2QmS4TZgnAQDDKJgOGyXOnWKkIRFSxApIH+eHx+EVSuteZcY6zjWMdRP9HnjCraJOkIgAEkQZi2ykpFq2AxFpFEggUL6J+PT9vWSZBz5pg5jjyGxuExMFdb6yszI1ojwQAJ0LbQmiqSTHICC572NBIuu39+fgKWpMzKzDlzzhpDx/AcHDNyIStskGhBdNI/CWCpooIJTHvah3VIQ55W2v3x+LEtUFWtrDVrTo3hOTlGrNUqKRtABNGw1S/gTKkSWUDaSxpVR9Wr6lV5SEvqj8cnfhLk0lqa02Nijlir52LJMBjuDewnegAFW47N4ypl5cw81nqt9VjrmXlU9dfzc0eZqrRSa3pNzMk521qoDFugWwMvCEA8hYDDwq6hlWetGWO8x/E4jj/neK7Zx/HcLnKVcnktz8k5Yk1kNpUNtzAuCKARCjsgmgbDZw5UrZVz5HHM9+t4PZ6PP/98/PuP5+prvvF/BBNzcg2sqUxZBo3u2C0g7AaHTQoOnb0kUzlrjhqv9f4xP7+9v3/773d8Azpq/rTAtVwTGtC0BpyQzAAMB9CAAspotoyfXaes3Hcrh+az3t/WdzwBAD0oAKZMkfraVLDIZBj0jhtTxt+F9u62EsqQUXDaw1/9FUC/9oBhQbQQxumEQAsWJRIIOGD6q6vJtCCQMkzvlAaBBvaICy53/OPAD6Dfr9evPKCCOoHEXRCrCCAC7S8aAaSDMGHA3P4jekTv7Xq//NJuv9Wvf+C3gX6/3XD26lbZtDYNMcmIVhk2ybNwbo6wCRE4OQIOtsbe43rt+uWi3+/4168XxIH+cb/Z2JFcLauFWlTQQayIXKEiADY37uIsYpej3SBBgG0nRVgdvhL3ftHts+ePfr/dAWgTZNaKirOdOMiIUFIG6dMIKshAEAgam4MEgmhkD14jPvoV1196/bPf7/ftIlXPtqpFBpOM0wlEBVQwzOY4jSCJIINmANj7CDayR1xb1+WKvF9U/Xa97WpaVa1FRgQQQMK7oINkETYYjhAZpAO7YW0jAJARjBZxiVatuV+oKqlfv6KoopJnkYcNCxa/ZkhYBkXGdtGXBYjYcwwDlJqiRbtUs0SprH7p3YBUEST3NCqrrO4qtJQbbGhPpjRP3U1u5N19aERESE3u0SzRCrm33m0HWYBt9Sb1aBnRojW1RjWHzpl2Q+/YJ3l6KQCC4PkWjogm2abdIwK2ALtFKBjx9dmW80vZv9Kf53zt04IdRftXMxx2gM2G/T/KBWrsXbq/bgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)

Most women assume that menopause-related changes will happen at age 50 or later. But for many, the changes begin long before that, while periods are still coming monthly.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/womens-voices-the-lived-experience-of-the-path-to-menopause)