Menopause, women and the workplace

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Women's Health
• Menopause Studies

Background:

• Research on menopause and the workplace is expanding, yet often neglects crucial workplace factors.
• Existing studies frequently focus on specific professional groups, potentially overlooking broader occupational impacts.
• A historical context is essential for approaching research on women in the workplace.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of menopause and its impact on women in the workplace.
• To highlight the need for collaboration between menopause and occupational health researchers.
• To identify gaps in research, particularly concerning disadvantaged women workers.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a plenary lecture presented at the International Menopause Society Conference 2024.
• Review of existing literature on menopause, work, and occupational health.
• Analysis of factors influencing women's ability to cope with menopause at work.

Main Results:

• Most women do not report significant difficulties with menopause in the workplace.
• Workplace factors, job nature, symptom severity, and psychosocial elements significantly influence coping.
• Disadvantaged women in less flexible, lower-paid jobs may experience greater difficulties and have less access to support.

Conclusions:

• Future research must prioritize women at highest risk, considering occupational and personal factors.
• A nuanced approach is needed to optimize support for menopausal women at work without exacerbating gender discrimination.
• Collaboration between menopause and occupational health researchers is vital for comprehensive understanding and effective interventions.