The Staggering Economic Cost of Untreated Menopause
How Much Does Untreated Menopause Cost the Economy?
The RAND Corporation analysis reveals that menopause costs the US economy approximately $1.8 billion annually in lost work time alone. Additionally, about 600,000 women have left the workforce due to menopausal symptoms, representing a massive loss of talent and productivity. These figures don’t include healthcare costs, making the true economic impact even larger.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
These numbers represent more than statistics; they reflect the real-world consequences of dismissing menopause as “just a natural part of aging” rather than treating it as the medical condition it is. When we fail to provide adequate menopause care, we’re not just harming individual women, we’re damaging our entire economy. This analysis should be a wake-up call for employers, healthcare systems, and policymakers to invest in comprehensive menopause support.