Hot, Foggy & Fabulous - Menopause Research Questionnaire

What is your current age?* This field is required.

Which stage best describes you?* This field is required.

Pre-perimenopause (no symptoms, regular cycles)

Perimenopause (irregular cycles and/or symptoms)

Menopause (12 months since last period)

Post-menopause (more than 12 months since last period)

Not Sure

Have you experienced medically induced menopause (e.g., due to surgery, chemotherapy, or other treatments)?* This field is required.If yes, please describe in the next question.

YESNO

If you’re comfortable, please share a few words about how medically induced menopause has shaped your experience, either personally or in the workplace.(Optional – your voice matters, but only if you're happy to share.)

What age were you when you first noticed perimenopause symptoms? What were those initial symptoms, if you remember?* This field is required.e.g. irregular periods, mood swings, hot flushes, brain fog, sleep changes

What age were you when menopause officially started (12 months with no period)?* This field is required.If still in perimenopause insert N/A

Which of the following life circumstances are/were you navigating during this stage?* This field is required.Select all that apply

Raising children under 13

Parenting teenagers

Supporting adult children

Caring for aging parents

Recently lost a loved one/grieving

Recently separated/divorced

Changed careers or jobs

Started a new relationship

Experienced other major life change

N/A

Have your home relationships been affected by menopause/perimenopause?* This field is required.

If yes, how have your home relationships changed or been challenged?

What Industry do you work in? (Or worked in most recently)* This field is required.Select all that apply

Healthcare or medical

Education (School, TAFE University)

Financial Services (banking, advice, insurance)

Government or public sector

Professional services (law, consulting, accounting)

Retail or hospitality

Trades, construction or manufacturing

Not-for-profit or community services

Arts, media, or creative

Technology

Agriculture or primary industry

Other

What is your current work arrangement?* This field is required.Select all that apply

Full-time employed

Part-time employed

Casual

Self-employed or business owner

Not working by choice

Not working due to symptoms

Retired

What best describes your role level?* This field is required.Select all that apply

Individual contributor/team member

Team Leader or supervisor

Middle manager

Senior manager or executive

Business owner or self-employed

Not applicable to my current situation

Have your workplace relationships been affected by menopause/perimenopause?* This field is required.

Did you tell anyone at work what you were going through?Single choice required

Yes, my manager or supervisor

Yes, a close colleague or work friend

Yes, HR or the people team

Yes, multiple people at work

No, I kept it to myself

Not applicable (I'm self-employed, retired, or not currently working)

What made you decide to tell them, or to keep it to yourself?"

If yes, how have your workplace relationships changed or been challenged?e.g. relationship with colleagues, manager, clients

Has menopause/perimenopause impacted your work life?* This field is required.Select all that apply

Yes, I reduced my hours

Yes, I changed jobs or roles

Yes, I left the workplace

No change, but it's been difficult

No impact

How have your symptoms shown up for you at work?* This field is required.Select all that apply

Brain fog or memory lapses

Difficulty prioritising or making decisions

Struggling to stay focused on complex tasks

Difficulty with emotional regulation

Lack of confidence

Fear of judgement

Feeling misunderstood or unsupported by others

Experiencing imposter syndrome or self-doubt

Feeling less patient or empathetic with others

Increased irritability or frustation with colleagues

Physical symptoms making work uncomfortable (e.g. hot flushes during meetings)

None of these

What you have done or not done because of your symptoms at work?* This field is required.Select all that apply

Reduced my hours or productivity

Increased absenteeism or needed more time off

Needed more recovery time after busy days

Avoided meetings

Hidden what's going on from colleagues

Avoided conflict or difficult conversations

Had conflict or misunderstandings at work

Hesitated to put my hand up for promotions or leadership roles

Turned down a promotion or leadership role I was offered

Chose not to apply for a role I would have gone for

Changed to a less demanding role or path

Left the job or industry

Considered leaving my career entirely

None of these

When you're feeling well and operating in your usual state, which best describes your typical behaviour at work?* This field is required.Choose the one most like you

Direct, decisive and action-focused. I get things done and drive results

Outgoing, enthusiastic, and people-focused. I bring energy, ideas, and connection.

Steady, supportive, and patient. I hold things together and look after the team.

Careful, analytical, and quality-focused. I make sure things are done properly.

When you're struggling with menopause symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, mood shifts, etc), how does your behaviour at work shift?* This field is required.Choose the one most like you

I become more direct or short with people. Less patience, more edge.

I become quieter or withdraw. Less outgoing, less visible.

I become more anxious about getting things right. More checking, more overthinking.

I become more emotional or reactive. Things land harder than they normally would.

I lose confidence and second-guess myself more than usual.

I push through and mask it. I try to behave as normal even when I'm struggling.

My behaviour doesn't really change

What symptoms have you experienced at home and/or at work?* This field is required.Select all that apply

Hot flushes

Night sweats

Itchy skin

Brian fog

Anxiety

Mood swings

Depression or low mood

Fatigue or burnout

Heavy or unexpected periods (e.g. at work)

Irregular periods

Joint or muscle pain

Breast tenderness

Dry eyes or mouth

Sleep problems or insomnia

Low libido

Vaginal dryness or discomfort

Headaches or migraines

Memory issues

Irritability

Loss of confidence

Weight gain around waistline

Feeling invisible

Grief or loss of identity

Digestive issues or bloating

Palpitations or heart flutters

Hair thinning or hair loss

Increased facial hair

Dizziness or vertigo

Tinnitus (ringing in ears)

Tingling in extremities (hands/feet)

Urinary urgency or incontinence

Dry or thinning skin

Brittle nails

Emotional outbursts or crying easily

No symptoms yet

How would you describe the emotional or identity impact of these symptoms?

If a moment springs to mind that captures the funny, foggy, or fabulous side of all this, we'd love to hear it. Skip if nothing comes to mind, no pressure.

Which of the following relationships been affected by your menopause/perimenopause experience?* This field is required.Select all that apply

Partner/Spouse relationship

Relationship with children

Friendships

Sexual or emotional intimacy

Communication at home

Relationship with colleagues or peers

Relationship with manager or supervisor

Relationship with clients

None

If yes, how have these relationships been changed or been challenged?

What supports have you used or accessed during perimenopause/menopause?* This field is required.Select all that apply

GP or medical support

HRT or hormone therapy

Counselling or therapy

Naturopath/natural supplements

Workplace support

Peer support or online groups

Family or friend support

I haven't used any support

What do you do to look after yourself during this stage of life?* This field is required.Select all that apply

HRT/MHT

Antidepressants or prescribed medication

Multivitamins or supplements

Walking

Running or cardio

Yoga

Tai Chi

Swimming

Gym or Strength Training

Meditation

Sex or physical intimacy

Streaming/TV downtime

Reading

Creative hobbies (art, writing, craft)

Regular time with friends or support circle

None yet

Other

What has helped you most so far?* This field is required.

Would you like to stay involved with this research?* This field is required.

Hear the research findings as they unfold through the Hot, Foggy & Fabulous newsletter (stories, insights, honest notes on midlife and work)

Be invited to future focus groups or interviews

No thanks, and that's absolutely 100% cool too. Thanks for participating, your experiences are so important

EmailIf you answered 'Yes' above

example@example.com

NameIf you answered 'Yes' above

First Name

Last Name

Tell us your story* This field is required.What are the best things, worst things, most surprising things or most disruptive parts of your experience?

If you could summarise your experience or expectations in feelings, what would you say?* This field is required.

Have you ever felt pressure to "push through" symptoms at work rather than acknowledge or manage them?* This field is required.

YESNO

If you answered yes to the previous question, What made you feel that way?

What kind of workplace or societal change would make the biggest difference for women experiencing menopause/perimenopause?* This field is required.