Why getting women’s health right at work is Good Business - and how to start today (for free)

Womens Health Starter Pack.png.png

Let’s talk about something we’re still not talking about enough: Hormonal and menstrual health in the workplace.

From painful periods to perimenopause brain fog, fertility treatment side effects to postnatal recovery, baby loss and PMDD - women and others being impacted by these health issues and life stages are still being told (quietly or bluntly) to just “get on with it.”

And they do.
They show up. They work through pain. They hide their hot flushes. They downplay fatigue. They mask emotional overwhelm. And they get on.

But that silence comes at a cost - to wellbeing, productivity, retention, and culture.

The business case for better support

A 2022 UK study found that nearly 26% of women had left jobs, or considered leaving jobs they loved becuse their menstrual health needs weren't being met. Others are quietly stepping back - taking avoidable days off, not putting themselves forward for promotion, not asking for flexible arrangements, not disclosing what they’re dealing with. Because their workplace cultures don't support conversations about periods, menopause or fertility. 

That’s a huge loss of talent, potential and experience.

Supporting women’s health isn’t just an HR issue. It’s a business strategy.

Done right, it boosts:

  • Retention: Fewer staff members walking away from roles they’re brilliant at
  • Attendence: More energy, presence and contribution from your people
  • Reputation: You become known as a workplace that gets it
  • Profit: Because inclusive cultures account for real life, not just policies and a happy workforce stay and perform well

And the good news?

You don’t have to start with a 50-page strategy, a 6-month audit, or a costly support programme. You can start with small, meaningful steps - today. Free period products in your toilets. Awarenss-sessions and articles in yoru staff newsletters about menopause and periods. Sharing your own, personal stories. 

A free resource to help you take action

To help more businesses take that first step, I’ve created a free Women’s Health Starter Pack - a practical, down-to-earth bundle of tools and support for employers who want to do better, but might not know where to begin.

It includes:
️ A CPD-accredited workshop on menopause & women’s health
️ A workplace audit tool
️ Free HR advice sessions
️ Conversation starters for line managers
️ An awareness calendar
️ A special edition podcast walking you through the whole pack

It’s completely free, available now, and takes minutes to access - no payment or fancy tech needed.

https://sales.naturalendometriosisexpert.com/womens-health-starter-pack/ 

Start small - but start

This isn’t just about box-ticking or policies. It’s about making sure that women and others affected by women's health issues feel seen, supported, and able to thrive in your workplace.

I know first-hand how painful and lonely it can feel to navigate hormonal health silently while trying to remain “professional.”
I also know how transformational it is when workplaces start to listen, understand, and offer real, practical support.

This pack is my invitation to help you do just that - not perfectly, but intentionally.

Because women’s health belongs at work.
And we all do better when we stop pretending it doesn’t.

 About the author:

Sarah Darwen is founder of Halcyon Women's Health, a certified endometriosis specialist, and women’s health therapist with over 15 years’ experience supporting individuals and organisations to get women’s health right.

Through Halcyon Women’s Health, she offers corporate workshops, strategic consultancy, and one-to-one support for the full range of women's health issues across the lifespan. www.halcyonwomenshealth.com 

Enjoyed this? Read more from Halcyon Women's Health

Latest news

1

Lancaster Accountants recognised in Financial Times’ Top 25 UK employers ICS office

Lancaster Accountants recognised in Financial Times’ Top 25 UK employers

21 Aug 2025

2

Leonard Curtis sells a majority stake to new investors Senior Leadership Team Leonard Curtis CEO Dan Booth COO David Brown And CFO Paul Birks

Leonard Curtis sells a majority stake to new investors

21 Aug 2025

3

Hundreds of jobs created in landmark £3bn deal to overhaul 70-year-old aqueduct The tunnel construction

Hundreds of jobs created in landmark £3bn deal to overhaul 70-year-old aqueduct

21 Aug 2025

4

Eden Project Morecambe goes live with new job vacancies Eden Project Morecambe External CGI Dusk Grimshaw

Eden Project Morecambe goes live with new job vacancies

20 Aug 2025

5

Specialist manufacturer powers international growth with HSBC UK support Ross Pneumatrol

Specialist manufacturer powers international growth with HSBC UK support

20 Aug 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
Linkedin Cover.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Sep 2025 - 03 Sep 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Harewood House , Leeds, LS17 9LG

09:30 - 16:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin