Money & Menopause: What No One Told Us with Peita Diamantidis

By Molly Benjamin, Founder of Ladies Finance Club

Listen to the full podcast here.

Menopause, it’s something every woman goes through, yet hardly anyone talks about it. In this episode of Get Rich, host Molly Benjamin is joined by financial adviser Peita Diamantidis to unpack the lesser-known (and often surprising) ways menopause impacts women financially, professionally, and personally. Spoiler: it’s not just about hot flushes.

What Actually Is Menopause?

Menopause is a hormonal transition that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. Most women go through it between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age sitting at 51. But as Peita points out, it’s not a switch you flip, it’s a gradual process, often beginning with perimenopause, which can last for years before actual menopause kicks in.

Symptoms No One Talks About

We’ve all heard of hot flushes and night sweats, but Peita dives into the real symptoms women deal with and why it’s about so much more than discomfort:

• Hot flushes that feel like you’ve just finished a bootcamp (in the middle of winter!)
• Brain fog that impacts memory, focus, and decision-making
• Sleep disruptions, joint pain, and even heavy periods
• Mood swings, anxiety, and changes in spatial awareness

These symptoms aren’t just inconvenient, they can seriously affect your work-life balance, career progression, and long-term financial planning.

The Financial Impact of Menopause

Here’s the stat that stopped us in our tracks:
💥 1 in 3 women change careers because of menopause.
💥 1 in 8 leave the workforce altogether.

From healthcare costs to career setbacks, menopause can have a massive financial ripple effect:

• More frequent (and often specialist) GP visits, most not bulk billed
• New wardrobe considerations for comfort and confidence
• A dip in work performance or hours, reducing income and retirement savings
• The risk of accessing super early due to a break in employment

Financial Planning Tips for Women Going Through Menopause

Peita shares some practical tips every woman should know (no matter what age you are):

1. Build Your Emergency Fund

This isn’t just for car breakdowns, your emergency savings could help cover healthcare costs or offer breathing room if you need time off work.

2. Find a Menopause-Informed GP

Start your doctor search before you need them. Menopause-aware doctors can be hard to find, and waitlists are long. Proactive planning makes all the difference.

3. Automate Your Finances

Set up direct debits and bucket your money. When your mental load is maxed out, automated systems will keep your financial planning on track without needing to think about it.

4. Create a ‘Before-Retirement’ Investment Fund

Think of it as your mini retirement buffer. If you want the option to take a sabbatical, reduce hours, or retire early, a separate investment fund (outside super) gives you flexibility and peace of mind.

5. Prioritise Flexibility in Work

Look for jobs or workplaces that support flexibility in work. Whether that’s remote work, job-sharing, or flexible hours, these features can help women manage their symptoms without compromising their careers.

Women’s Health Needs to Be a Workplace Issue

Some companies (like MetLife) are now introducing menopause policies. This is a positive shift, especially since most women currently feel like they need to hide their symptoms at work.

If you're in a position to choose between job offers, look beyond the salary, prioritise companies that take women's health seriously and actively support their female employees through transitions like menopause.

This was Molly’s first-ever deep dive into menopause, and she’s not alone. Many women hit their late 30s or 40s without a single real conversation about what’s coming. As Peita reminds us, “Please don’t go quiet.”

Whether it’s chatting with friends, joining an online community, or simply being more open at work, talking about menopause isn’t just empowering, it could change lives (and policies).

Oh, and one more thing to look forward to? According to Peita, once you’re through the worst of it, “Suddenly we all want to wear sequins.”