©2025 Kulczyk Foundation

©2025 Kulczyk Foundation

Menu

Close

IPSOS REPORT COMMISSIONED BY THE KULCZYK FOUNDATION "INVISIBLE AT WORK. WOMEN IN THE PERIMENOPAUSAL PERIOD"

There are 3 million working women in Poland who are in their perimenopausal age, 40-55. According to the Central Statistical Office, this represents 20% of all employees in the country.

Many women, however, feel that their needs are overlooked during this special period. As many as 42% have considered limiting or terminating their professional activity due to their symptoms. This is reflected in the latest report by the Kulczyk Foundation, "Invisible at Work: Women in Perimenopause."

Download the report "Invisible at work."

In research commissioned by the Kulczyk Foundation and IPSOS, more than half of women (51%) say they do not feel comfortable enough to speak openly at work about their health needs related to menopause.

At the same time, as many as 87% of respondents believe that the introduction of support solutions during this period would have a positive impact on their attitude to work and daily functioning.

The role of a leader in an organization is not only to take a holistic view of what’s best for the company, says Dominika Kulczyk, entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, founder of the Kulczyk Foundation . “It’s also to recognize the individual elements that make it up, especially its people: their diversity and needs, their strengths and weaknesses.”

Managers who recognize this create the most effective, innovative, and friendly work environments. Experienced employees are a treasure to any company, and as a society, we simply cannot afford for such individuals to give up their professional activities too quickly.

Women in perimenopause often want to continue developing and engaging in their businesses. However, the natural transition of menopause is difficult. In extreme cases, women quit their jobs or decide to change jobs without disclosing the true reasons for their departure. Education and real action are necessary to change this state of affairs.

Report: Menopause without taboos

Although 70% of Polish women believe that menopause is an important moment in a woman's life, as many as 93% of respondents cannot define it correctly

This is the conclusion of a report commissioned by the Kulczyk Foundation and prepared by the "Ciekawość" Research and Development Center. This is the first study of its kind in Poland, providing a rich source of knowledge about women's experiences of menopause. We encourage you to read it.

Download the research report

“Women who have not yet entered this stage of life usually do not hear about it from other important women in their environment – mothers, friends, colleagues at work, because menopause is still a taboo“

– note the authors of the report Menopause Without Taboo . Anna Buchner, Katarzyna Fereniec -Błońska, Agnieszka Murawska, and Maria Wierzbicka-Tarkowska from the “Ciekawość” research group conducted research among Polish women and men on the topic of menopause and also spoke with experts.

According to the research cited in the report, over 70% of Polish pre-menopausal women describe their knowledge about it as poor.

We hope that this report will help reduce this percentage, and that reading it will serve as an impetus for changes in our attitudes, awareness, relationships, and professional lives. Our goal is to help women navigate this important yet challenging time in their lives with dignity.

Download the research report

Stay up to date

Subscribe to our newsletter

    This field is required.

    Acceptance is required.

    *Information on the processing of personal data
    The administrator of your data is the Kulczyk Foundation, based in Warsaw. You can contact the administrator at iod@kulczykfoundation.org.pl. Expand

    Stay up to date

    Thank you for standing with us!

    Your email address has been verified and added to our mailing list.

    Complete the survey: Check what stage of life you are at

    Answer the question: 1/7

    How old are you?

    It is generally accepted that perimenopause, a period beginning with the first symptoms of impending menopause, may begin around age 40, up to 12 months after the last menstrual period. In Poland, the average age of women experiencing menopause (last menstrual period) is 51. If menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45, it is considered early menopause. If it occurs before age 40, it is called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

    How would you describe your periods?

    In the early menopausal transition, cycle lengths vary by more than seven days. When monthly bleeding is interrupted for at least 60 days, this is considered late menopause. If vaginal bleeding occurs after menopause, meaning after more than a year without a period, you should consult a doctor.

    Is your skin drier now, feeling tight, irritated, or itchy?

    Declining estrogen levels during perimenopause trigger a cascade of events in the skin. The sebaceous glands stop producing a protective layer of sebum. Without this lipid layer, the skin becomes dry and prone to irritation. Allergies to cosmetics, itching, and tightness may occur.

    Reduced estrogen levels during menopause affect thermoregulation, hence hot flashes. These are sudden waves of heat that spread across the upper body. The skin sweats and becomes flushed, and red blotches may appear on the face and décolleté. The heart may beat faster and blood pressure may rise, which can lead to feelings of anxiety. Hot flashes can last several minutes and can end with a feeling of cold or even chills.

    Have you experienced sleep problems (difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night)?

    Perimenopause can be associated with sleep disturbances. Difficulty falling asleep or waking up during the night are the first symptoms of hormonal changes for many people. Nighttime hot flashes are an additional sleep disruption.

    Have you recently noticed more severe mood swings than usual (not caused by difficult events)? Do you get angry more easily, are irritated by things you previously ignored, become depressed, cry more often, or feel like doing nothing?

    The decline in hormone levels during perimenopause affects our well-being. Irritability, anger, decreased patience, sadness, and frequent mood swings can also worsen our moods. Some typical menopausal symptoms can also worsen our moods, such as trouble sleeping, constant fatigue, or hot flashes. Even a single symptom of the menopausal transition is enough to cause us to behave differently than before. Mood swings become a problem when we don't see any underlying causes that can be linked to the sudden change in attitude.

    Have your weight and waist circumference increased even though you have not changed your eating habits or activity?

    During perimenopause, as estrogen levels decline, the body becomes more susceptible to metabolic changes, accumulating fat more readily around the abdomen. With age, we also gradually lose muscle tissue, which physiologically requires more energy than fat tissue. We can eat and exercise as usual, but body composition changes unfavorably, and body weight increases. Between the ages of 40 and 60, women gain an average of 10 kg.

    Check here, which period of life you are in.

    INTERESTED IN THE FULL VERSION OF THE REPORT?
    » Click here «

    Close

    INTERESTED IN THE FULL VERSION OF THE REPORT?

    Leave your Email Address

    We will send you the full report
    "Menopause Without Taboo".

      This field is required.

      Information on the processing of personal data
      The administrator of your data is the Kulczyk Foundation based in Warsaw. You can contact the administrator at iod@kulczykfoundation.org.pl. Expand

      Thank you!

      You will receive an email with the full version of the report.

      Back to the homepage

      Close

      INTERESTED IN THE FULL VERSION OF THE REPORT?

      Leave your Email Address

      We will send you the full report
      "Menopause Without Taboo".

        This field is required.

        Information on the processing of personal data
        The administrator of your data is the Kulczyk Foundation based in Warsaw. You can contact the administrator at iod@kulczykfoundation.org.pl. Expand

        Thank you!

        You will receive an email with the full version of the report.

        Back to the homepage

        Close

        Are you interested in the INVISIBLE AT WORK report?

        Leave your Email Address

        We will send you the report
        "Invisible at Work. Women in Menopause."

          This field is required.

          Checking consent is mandatory.

          Information on the processing of personal data
          The administrator of your data is the Kulczyk Foundation based in Warsaw. You can contact the administrator at iod@kulczykfoundation.org.pl. Exapnd

          Thank you!

          You will receive an email with the report.

          Close window

          Close

          Are you interested in the INVISIBLE AT WORK report?

          Leave your Email Address

          We will send you the report
          "Invisible at Work. Women in Menopause."

            This field is required.

            Checking consent is mandatory.

            Information on the processing of personal data
            The administrator of your data is the Kulczyk Foundation based in Warsaw. You can contact the administrator at iod@kulczykfoundation.org.pl. Exapnd

            Thank you!

            You will receive an email with the report.

            Close window

            Close

            Are you interested in the ANDROPAUSE WITHOUT TABOO report?

            Leave your Email Address

            We will send you the report
            "Andropause Without Taboo".

              To pole jest obowiązkowe.

              Informacja o przetwarzaniu danych osobowych
              Administratorem Twoich danych jest Kulczyk Foundation z siedzibą w Warszawie. Kontakt z administratorem jest możliwy pod adresem iod@kulczykfoundation.org.pl. Rozwiń

              Thank you!

              You will receive an email with the report.

              Close window

              Close

              Information clause

              1. Data Controller. The data controller of your personal data in connection with the “Menopause Without Taboo” campaign (the “Campaign”) is the KULCZYK FOUNDATION, with its registered office in Warsaw (00-526), ​​at 24/26 Krucza Street, entered into the register of associations, other social and professional organizations, foundations, and independent public healthcare facilities, and the register of entrepreneurs of the National Court Register maintained by the District Court for the capital city of Warsaw in Warsaw, 12th Commercial Division of the National Court Register, under the KRS number: 0000471002, and the Tax Identification Number (NIP): 70104114847 (the “Foundation”). The Foundation can be contacted by email at iod@kulczykfoundation.org.pl.

              2. Data Protection Officer. The Foundation has appointed a Data Protection Officer, who can be contacted on all matters related to privacy and personal data protection by email at iod@kulczykfoundation.org.pl.

              3. Purposes of personal data processing. The Foundation processes your personal data provided for the following purposes: (a) to pursue the Foundation’s legitimate interest in conducting its statutory activities, including conducting the Campaign (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f of the GDPR); (b) to pursue the Foundation’s legitimate interest in informing those interested in the Campaign about its progress (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f of the GDPR). The Foundation will process your data for this purpose only if you consent to receiving information about the Campaign via email.

              4. To whom may the Foundation disclose personal data? The Foundation may disclose the personal data you provide to:
              (a) its employees and associates, in particular those involved in implementing the Campaign;
              (b) providers of services, software, and IT systems used by the Foundation to conduct its statutory activities, including the implementation of the Campaign;
              (c) entities that provide services supporting the Foundation’s statutory activities, such as accounting services, legal and business consulting services, IT equipment maintenance services, financial services, and marketing services – only to the extent necessary to provide such services.

              5. Will the Foundation transfer personal data outside the EEA? The Foundation will not transfer the personal data it collects outside the European Economic Area. To whom may the Foundation disclose personal data? The Foundation may disclose the personal data you provide:

              6. How long will the Foundation process personal data? The Foundation will process personal data for the entire duration of the Campaign or until you withdraw your consent to receive information about the Campaign (whichever comes first).

              7. What rights do data subjects have in connection with the processing of personal data by the Foundation? You have the right to:
              (a) access your personal data;
              (b) request their rectification, erasure, or restriction of their processing;
              (c) lodge a complaint regarding the processing of your personal data with the supervisory authority, i.e., the President of the Personal Data Protection Office in Warsaw;
              (d) to the extent that your personal data are processed based on the Foundation’s legitimate interest – object to the processing of your personal data;
              (e) because the legal basis for processing your data is the Foundation’s legitimate interest, you do not have the right to transfer your personal data;
              (f) with respect to your consent to receive information about the Campaign, if you express it – you may withdraw your consent at any time by sending a message to iod@kulczykfoundation.org or by clicking the unsubscribe link included in the messages sent to you. Withdrawal of consent does not affect any actions taken based on it before its withdrawal.

              8. Is the provision of personal data mandatory? Providing personal data is necessary to receive materials regarding the Campaign. Consent to receive information about the Campaign is voluntary.

              9. Will the Foundation use personal data for automated decision-making, including profiling? No.