Menopause Considerations for Women

Sonia Brown MBE
11 minutes ago
5 min read

“By 2030, nearly 500 million women worldwide will be navigating menopause, yet most health policies and workplace strategies remain unprepared for this demographic shift.” – FP Analytics, 2025

As 2026 approaches, the intersection of geopolitics, pension inequality and menopause is no longer a distant concern, it is a pressing reality shaping women’s financial security, health outcomes and career trajectories. Global economic volatility, driven by trade tensions and inflationary pressures, is influencing investment returns and retirement planning.

At the same time, the gender pension gap remains stubbornly wide, leaving women, particularly those who take career breaks or work part-time, at a significant disadvantage.

Layered onto this is the economic and social impact of menopause, which affects productivity, healthcare costs and workplace equity. Despite its scale, menopause research and policy often fail to represent women of colour adequately, perpetuating disparities in care and outcomes. NHS studies, for example, frequently rely on datasets that lack sufficient diversity to be valid for all communities, meaning critical decisions are made without inclusive evidence.

This convergence of factors demands urgent attention. Women need strategies that account for global risks, systemic inequities and health realities. In this article, we explore five critical considerations, supported by 2026 trend data, that can help women make informed decisions and advocate for change.

“The gender pension gap in the UK is closing at just 0.39% per year, meaning parity will not be achieved until 2114.” – Pension Policy Institute, 2025

There is no denying it, in today’s interconnected world, women face unique challenges at the intersection of global politics, financial security and health. Geopolitical shifts can ripple through economies, pension systems and even healthcare access, while menopause remains an often-overlooked factor in planning for midlife and beyond.

Here are five critical considerations every woman should keep in mind:

1. Geopolitical Instability and Economic Impact

The IMF forecasts global growth at 3.1% in 2026, with inflation risks persisting in advanced economies.

Global conflicts, trade wars and sanctions do not just make headlines, they affect your wallet. Inflation, currency fluctuations and market volatility can erode savings and pension values. For women, who often have smaller pension pots due to career breaks or part-time work, this risk is amplified.

Geopolitical tensions such as wars, trade disputes and sanctions can drive inflation and currency fluctuations, creating ripple effects across global markets. For women, these dynamics translate into rising costs of living and healthcare, which can erode pension savings and make menopause-related treatments less affordable.

To mitigate these risks, it is essential to diversify investments across regions and asset classes, reducing exposure to geopolitical shocks and safeguarding long-term financial security.

2. The Gender Pension Gap

UK women retire with 35% less pension wealth than men; parity projected for 2114 at current rates.

Women retire with significantly less wealth than men, often 30–40% less, due to systemic pay gaps and caregiving responsibilities. This shortfall becomes critical during menopause, when health costs can rise and income may dip due to symptoms impacting work.

This comes at an emotion and physical cost. This smaller pension pot is due to career breaks, part-time work and persistent pay gaps. This reduced income during midlife can limit access to private healthcare or specialist menopause support, creating additional stress at a critical stage of life.

To counter these challenges, it is essential to review pension contributions regularly, explore employer matching schemes and consider catch-up contributions where possible.

Leveraging government incentives and workplace pension programs can help close the gap and provide greater financial security for the future.

3. Policy and Healthcare Access

Women of colour remain severely underrepresented in UK menopause research datasets.

Government decisions shape healthcare funding and availability of menopause treatments like HRT. In some regions, menopause care is deprioritised, creating disparities in access and affordability.

Geopolitical decisions have a direct influence on healthcare funding and the availability of essential services such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and menopause care. In some regions, these services are not dealt with urgency, creating significant disparities in treatment access for women.

To address this, it is crucial to stay informed about national health policies and actively advocate for inclusive menopause care within workplace benefits packages. By doing so, women can help ensure equitable access to the support they need during this critical stage of life.

4. Data Privacy in Health Tech

Women of colour remain severely underrepresented in UK menopause research datasets.

Menopause tracking apps and wearable devices collect sensitive health data. Regulations like GDPR protect privacy in some regions, but geopolitical differences mean your data could be vulnerable elsewhere.

Menopause tracking apps and health platforms collect highly sensitive personal data and the way this information is stored and used depends on geopolitical regulations such as GDPR in Europe versus less stringent regimes elsewhere.

Poor data governance can lead to misuse of health information or even discrimination in areas like insurance and employment. To protect yourself, choose platforms that demonstrate strong compliance standards and clear transparency around data usage policies. This ensures your health data remains secure and used responsibly.

5. Longevity and Retirement Planning

Women live longer on average, meaning pension pots must stretch further. Combine this with potential midlife health costs and geopolitical uncertainty and the need for robust planning becomes urgent.

Women generally live longer than men, which means their pension pots need to last for more years, often while managing additional healthcare costs. Menopause symptoms can also affect earning potential during midlife, further reducing retirement savings.

Global instability adds another layer of risk, as it can impact long-term returns on pensions and drive up healthcare expenses.

To prepare, it is essential to factor longevity risk into your financial strategy, consider annuities or lifetime income products and plan ahead for healthcare costs in retirement.

Why Action Cannot Wait

Geopolitics, pensions and menopause may seem like separate issues, but they are deeply connected. By understanding these intersections, women can make informed decisions that protect their health, wealth and future.

These numbers are not academic, they paint a clear picture. Women entering midlife are facing an overlapping crisis. Pension shortfalls, healthcare expenses and productivity losses are amplified by global volatility and weak data representation.

With this evidence, women and advocates can push for stronger policies like menopause healthcare access, pension equity and financial literacy to protect health, wealth and dignity through midlife and beyond.

Now is the time to act.

Join the conversation, demand inclusive research and advocate for workplace and policy changes that prioritise women’s health and financial security.

Share this article, engage with your networks and help us build a future where every woman is represented and supported.