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Safwan N, Saadedine M, Shufelt CL, Kapoor E, Kling JM, Chaudhry R, Faubion SS. Menopause in the workplace: Challenges, impact, and next steps. Maturitas 2024; 185:107983. [PMID: 38581822 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.107983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Menopause is a natural part of a woman's life that coincides with a time when many women play significant roles in the workforce. Menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, fatigue, and difficulty with concentration and memory, can have a negative effect on work productivity and efficiency. OBJECTIVES This paper summarizes the impact of menopause in the workplace, with an emphasis on the impact of symptoms on employed women and how the workplace influences their experiences. It highlights economic implications, promotes awareness, and suggests potential next steps. METHODS A search for papers was conducted between August and November 2023 in the PubMed and Medline databases. Papers were selected based on personal experience and interpretation of the findings. Recommendations for managing menopause symptoms in the workplace and guidance on an optimal workplace intervention strategy were provided. RESULTS Women experiencing severe menopause symptoms are more likely to report adverse work outcomes, including absenteeism and job-related decisions such as quitting, retiring early, or declining promotions than women experiencing few symptoms. Factors such as a lack of awareness about menopause, inflexible work conditions, and high-stress jobs can exacerbate the severity of these symptoms. Additionally, unaddressed menopause symptoms contribute to both direct and indirect economic costs, including medical resource utilization and lost work productivity, resulting in a substantial economic burden. CONCLUSION Menopause symptoms impair women's work experiences and productivity. In addition to dismantling the stigma associated with menopause, it is critical to create and implement menopause workplace policies and interventions aimed at supporting women in this universal life stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Safwan
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America; Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Mariam Saadedine
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America; Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Chrisandra L Shufelt
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America; Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health, Rochester, MN, United States of America; Women's Health Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Ekta Kapoor
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America; Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health, Rochester, MN, United States of America; Women's Health Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Juliana M Kling
- Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health, Rochester, MN, United States of America; Division of Women's Health Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America
| | - Rajeev Chaudhry
- Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health, Rochester, MN, United States of America; Division of Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Eau Claire, WI, United States of America
| | - Stephanie S Faubion
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America; Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health, Rochester, MN, United States of America.
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Raczkiewicz D, Gujski M, Sarecka-Hujar B, Suski K, Pedrycz-Wieczorska A, Wdowiak A, Bojar I. Impact of Serum Vitamin D, B6, and B12 and Cognitive Functions on Quality of Life in Peri- and Postmenopausal Polish Women. Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e943249. [PMID: 38769717 PMCID: PMC11127608 DOI: 10.12659/msm.943249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Menopause initiates or accelerates health problems in a woman’s life, and affects cognitive processes and quality of life. We aimed to assess the quality of life, cognitive functions, and serum vitamin D, B6, and B12 concentrations in perimenopausal and postmenopausal Polish women. Also, we correlated the assessment of the quality of life with these vitamin concentrations and cognitive functions. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in 287 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Serum levels of vitamin D, B6, and B12, cognitive functions using CNS Vital Signs software, and quality of life using WHO Quality of Life Brief were tested. RESULTS Almost all of the perimenopausal and postmenopausal women had normal concentrations of serum vitamin B12 (96%), 80% of them had normal B6 concentration, while only 9% had optimal serum vitamin D concentration. Postmenopausal women had lower Neurocognitive Index, psychomotor speed, motor speed, reaction time, and lower assessment of overall quality of life, physical health, and social relationships compared to perimenopausal women. In comparison to postmenopausal women, perimenopausal women had a lower serum vitamin B6 concentration, and the lower the concentration of this vitamin in serum they had, the lower they assessed their environment. Perimenopausal women assessed their social relationships the better, the better the visual memory, and the lower the processing speed they had. Postmenopausal women assessed the environment the better, the higher their Neurocognition Index was, and the better the reaction time they had. CONCLUSIONS Assessment of quality of life was associated with some cognitive functions in both perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Raczkiewicz
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz Gujski
- Department of Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Sarecka-Hujar
- Department of Basic Biomedical Science, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Suski
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Artur Wdowiak
- Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
| | - Iwona Bojar
- Department of Women’s Health, Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Saarinen T, Savukoski SM, Pesonen P, Vaaramo E, Laitinen J, Varanka-Ruuska T, Ala-Mursula L, Niinimäki M. Climacteric status at age 46 is associated with poorer work ability, lower 2-year participation in working life, and a higher 7-year disability retirement rate: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study. Menopause 2024; 31:275-281. [PMID: 38412401 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000002327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the association between an advanced climacteric status at 46 years of age and current perceived work ability, the consequent 2-year accumulation of disability and unemployment days, and the 7-year incidence of disability pensions. METHODS Study participants (n = 2,661) were recruited from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study's 46-year follow-up in 2012. The participants' perceived work ability was investigated using the Work Ability Score (0-7 = poor vs 8-10 = good), along with potential covariates. Data concerning their consequent disability days, unemployment days, and disability pensions were collected from national registers. The association between their climacteric status at age 46 years, work ability, and working life participation was assessed using regression models. RESULTS The climacteric women were more often smokers and more often had a lower level of education. The odds ratio for poor perceived work ability was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.06-1.87), and the incidence rate ratios for disability and unemployment days during the 2-year follow-up were 1.09 (95% CI, 1.07-1.11) and 1.16 (95% CI, 1.14-1.18), respectively, for the climacteric women compared with the preclimacteric women in models adjusted for smoking and education. The 7-year hazard ratio for disability pensions was 1.72 (95% CI, 1.02-2.91) for the climacteric women. CONCLUSIONS An earlier menopausal transition is associated with poorer perceived work ability, and it predicts lower recorded work participation and a higher disability pension rate in subsequent years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paula Pesonen
- Northern Finland Birth Cohorts, Infrastructure for Population Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Eeva Vaaramo
- Northern Finland Birth Cohorts, Infrastructure for Population Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jaana Laitinen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Leena Ala-Mursula
- Research Unit of Population Health, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Johnson JH, Alexander GR. Confronting the Nursing Profession's Workforce Challenges: Embracing Iceberg Demographics. Creat Nurs 2024; 30:58-64. [PMID: 38304938 DOI: 10.1177/10784535241229448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
U.S. Supreme Court rulings on reproductive rights and affirmative action inadvertently present the nursing profession with a propitious opportunity to capitalize on the nation's rich mosaic of iceberg demographic identities-inherited and acquired traits that may not be visibly apparent-to address imminent challenges such as worker shortages and other perplexities within the workplace milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Johnson
- Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - G Rumay Alexander
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Oude Hengel KM, Soeter M, In der Maur M, van Oostrom SH, Loef B, Hooftman WE. Perimenopause: Symptoms, work ability and health among 4010 Dutch workers. Maturitas 2023; 176:107793. [PMID: 37393659 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.107793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this study we examined the associations between menopausal symptoms and work ability and health among a general population of Dutch female workers. STUDY DESIGN This nationwide cross-sectional study was a follow-up of the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2020. In 2021, 4010 Dutch female employees aged 40-67 years completed an online survey on a variety of topics, including menopausal symptoms, work ability and health. METHODS Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between the degree of menopausal symptoms with work ability, self-rated health and emotional exhaustion, after adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS Almost one-fifth of participants were in the perimenopause (n = 743). Of these women, 80 % experienced menopausal symptoms: 27.5 % 'often' and 52.5 % 'sometimes'. Experiencing menopausal symptoms was associated with lower work ability, poorer self-rated health, and more emotional exhaustion. These associations were most pronounced among perimenopausal women 'often' experiencing symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Menopausal symptoms threaten the sustainable employability of female workers. Interventions and guidelines are needed to support women, employers and (occupational) health professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Oude Hengel
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Sylviusweg 71, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Marieke Soeter
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Sylviusweg 71, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Merel In der Maur
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Sylviusweg 71, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra H van Oostrom
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Bette Loef
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Wendela E Hooftman
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Sylviusweg 71, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands
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O’Neill MT, Jones V, Reid A. Impact of menopausal symptoms on work and careers: a cross-sectional study. Occup Med (Lond) 2023; 73:332-338. [PMID: 37542726 PMCID: PMC10540666 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqad078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women over 50 years are one of the fastest-growing employment groups. Menopausal symptoms can adversely impact quality of life, work performance and attendance; however, few studies look at the impact of individual menopausal symptoms on work and career development. AIMS To measure the prevalence of menopausal symptoms in employees in a healthcare setting, to assess the impact of individual symptoms on work, attendance and career development and to explore perceptions about workplace supports. METHODS In this cross-sectional study of Irish hospital workers, menopausal employees were asked about the frequency of 10 menopausal symptoms and the extent to which each symptom impacted them at work. Impacts on performance, attendance and career development were assessed, along with the benefits of workplace support. RESULTS Responses from 407 women showed that the most common menopausal symptoms affecting employees greater than 50% of the time while at work were fatigue (54%), difficulty sleeping (47%), poor concentration (44%) and poor memory (40%). Work performance was impacted for 65% of respondents and 18% had taken sick leave. There was a significant association between symptom severity at work and reduced work performance, career development decisions and attendance. Manager awareness about menopause (29%) and flexible working times (29%) were selected as the most important workplace supports. CONCLUSIONS Female employees are negatively impacted by menopausal symptoms while at work, particularly by psychological and neurocognitive symptoms which were associated with reduced work performance, attendance and career decisions. Manager awareness and flexible schedules were considered the most beneficial workplace supports.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T O’Neill
- Occupational Health & Wellbeing Department, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin D24NR0A, Ireland
| | - V Jones
- Occupational Health & Wellbeing Department, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin D24NR0A, Ireland
| | - A Reid
- Occupational Health & Wellbeing Department, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin D24NR0A, Ireland
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Nelson LM. The truth about 17-beta estradiol: menopause beyond "old wives' tales". Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1229804. [PMID: 37766693 PMCID: PMC10520270 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1229804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence M. Nelson
- Digital Women's Health Initiative, Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation, Inc., Tysons, VA, United States
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Faubion SS, Enders F, Hedges MS, Chaudhry R, Kling JM, Shufelt CL, Saadedine M, Mara K, Griffin JM, Kapoor E. Impact of Menopause Symptoms on Women in the Workplace. Mayo Clin Proc 2023:S0025-6196(23)00112-X. [PMID: 37115119 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of menopause symptoms on work outcomes and to assess the estimated economic impact. PATIENTS AND METHODS Women aged 45 to 60 years receiving primary care at 1 of the 4 Mayo Clinic sites were invited to participate in a survey study (Hormones and ExpeRiences of Aging) from March 1 through June 30, 2021. A total of 32,469 surveys were sent, with 5219 responses (16.1% response rate). Of the 5219 respondents, 4440 (85.1%) reported current employment information and were included in the study. The primary outcome was self-reported adverse work outcomes related to menopause symptoms assessed by the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). RESULTS The mean age of the 4440 participants was 53.9±4.5 years, with the majority being White (4127 [93.0%]), married (3398 [76.5%]), and educated (2632 [59.3%] college graduate or higher); the mean total MRS score was 12.1, signifying moderate menopause symptom burden. Overall, 597 women (13.4%) reported at least one adverse work outcome due to menopause symptoms; 480 women (10.8%) reported missing work in the preceding 12 months (median, 3 days missed). The odds of reporting an adverse work outcome increased with increasing menopause symptom severity; women in the highest quartile of total MRS scores were 15.6 (95% CI, 10.7 to 22.7; P<.001) times more likely to have an adverse work outcome vs those in the first quartile. Based on workdays missed due to menopause symptoms, we estimate an annual loss of $1.8 billion in the United States. CONCLUSION This large cross-sectional study identified a major negative impact of menopause symptoms on work outcomes and the need to improve medical treatment for these women and make the workplace environment more supportive. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings in larger and more diverse groups of women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie S Faubion
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL; Mayo Clinic Women's Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
| | - Felicity Enders
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Mary S Hedges
- Division of Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Rajeev Chaudhry
- Mayo Clinic Women's Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI
| | - Juliana M Kling
- Mayo Clinic Women's Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Women's Health Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
| | - Chrisandra L Shufelt
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL; Mayo Clinic Women's Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Mariam Saadedine
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL; Mayo Clinic Women's Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Kristin Mara
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Joan M Griffin
- Division of Health Care Delivery Research and Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Ekta Kapoor
- Mayo Clinic Women's Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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