Impact of menopause on workplace

Impact of menopause on workplace | Image Credit: © highwaystarz - © highwaystarz - stock.adobe.com.

About $1.8 billion per year in work time and $26.6 billion in medical expenses are lost in the United States because of menopause-related symptoms, according to a recent Mayo Clinic study.

Adverse symptoms from menopause include hot flashes, mood changes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, joint aches, and cognitive difficulties. Millions of women have their quality of life impacted by menopause-related symptoms, which also adversely affects them in the workplace.

Women begin to experience menopause at a mean of 52 years. This population makes up a significant proportion of the workforce, making it vital to understand the effects of menopause on worker productivity, absenteeism, and medical costs.

Researchers from Mayo Clinic conducted a study surveying women aged 45 to 60 years. A total of 4440 employed women receiving primary care at Mayo Clinic completed the survey. Of the patients, 93% were White, 76.5% married, and 59.3% had a college degree or above.

The survey began on March 1, 2021, and ended June 30, 2021. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess symptoms, with a mean MRS score of 12.1 in the study cohort.

A direct association was found between menopause and adverse work outcomes such as lost productivity. Stronger menopause symptoms were linked to more severe outcomes. Racial and ethnic differences were also observed, though further research on these differences is required.

According to lead author Stephanie Faubion, MD, director of Mayo Clinic Women’s Health, 13% of women surveyed experienced an adverse work outcome because of menopause. Of the 597 women who experienced at least 1 adverse work outcome, 485 missed 1 or more day of work in the past year because of symptoms.

These results highlighted a need for employers to address the issues menopause leads to in the workplace, which Faubion discussed.

“Employers need to ensure that the work environment is supportive, and that managers and supervisors receive education on how to have sensitive conversations about the topic,” Faubion said. “Women need access to competent, evidence-based menopause care and, when needed, appropriate workplace accommodations.”

Senior author Ekta Kapoor, MBBS, assistant director of Mayo Clinic Women's Health, noted there is a stigma surrounding menopause, especially in the workplace. This may lead to women being anxious over disclosing their symptoms to workplace managers or coworkers.

“Recognizing these concerns and creating a safe workplace environment for women to discuss their health care needs may help address this,” Kapoor said.

Reference

Furst J. Mayo Clinic study puts price tag on cost of menopause symptoms for women in the workplace. Mayo Clinic. April 26, 2023. Accessed April 27, 2023. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-puts-price-tag-on-cost-of-menopause-symptoms-for-women-in-the-workplace/