Two leading endocrinologists are questioning the focus on giving women experiencing menopause symptoms mandatory leave entitlements.

The doctors were speaking at a federal Senate inquiry currently investigating the impact of menopause and perimenopause, with unions calling for the introduction of 12 days mandatory menstrual and menopause leave under the Fair Work Act.

“Such policies risk labelling women as being impaired in their work performance just because they are going through menopause,” endocrinologist Professor Susan Davis told the inquiry earlier this week.

Head of Monash University’s Women’s Health Research Program in Melbourne, she added: “There are lots of reasons women get to midlife and they’re not performing well at work — and it’s not just about menopause.