Menopause can be a challenging transition for some women, especially those who must cope with the symptoms of menopause on the job. As the number of women working past the average age of menopause (51) continues to rise, many women are seeking and finding ways to balance the impact of menopausal symptoms with workplace responsibilities. 1,2
A national survey of 1,500 working women ages 45-65 conducted by Working Mother Media and Pfizer found that managing menopausal symptoms in their work life is extremely or somewhat difficult for nearly half of the women surveyed who have experienced menopausal symptoms in the past year. 3
Hot flashes, changes in memory and concentration, and fatigue due to sleep disturbances ranked as the most troublesome symptoms of menopause on the job. 3
However – and despite beliefs that menopause can be an embarrassing subject – more than half of respondents strongly or somewhat agreed that their colleagues have been supportive as they deal with these symptoms at work. 3
"Our research suggests a cultural shift in women's comfort with being open at work about menopause," said Jennifer Owens, editorial director of Working Mother Media and director of the Working Mother Research Institute. "The increasingly positive reception women report from their bosses and co-workers is encouraging."
In addition to leaning on coworkers for support, many women surveyed reported making simple lifestyle changes to cope with the effects of menopause in the workplace. Three out of four women surveyed said they made changes to the way they dressed at work, including wearing lightweight clothing and jackets or cardigans that could be easily removed.3 One in five indicated that she made modifications to her work schedule in the last 12 months. 3
“For some women, simple lifestyle changes are helpful in managing menopause-related symptoms. For others, these practical adjustments just aren’t enough,” said Ivy Alexander, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Clinical Professor and Director of Advanced Practice Programs at the University of Connecticut School of Nursing. “I encourage women who are finding the management of their menopause-related symptoms difficult to have a proactive, open and honest conversation with a healthcare provider to discuss and weigh available options.”
A summary of the survey results can be found here workingmother.com.
For more information about menopause and its symptoms, as well as tips for managing menopausal symptoms at work, visit www.personalmenopauseanswers.com.
Sources
1 The North American Menopause Society. Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide. 4th Edition. 4th Ed. Mayfield, OH: NAMS; 2010.
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. 2012. Available at http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat03.htm. Accessed February 1, 2014.
3 Working Mother Media – Bonnier Corp. Women and Menopause in the Workplace. August – September, 2013.