Mini-symposium: Work functioning during the menopause
Monday 6 October 2025, 14.00 – 15.30 Solar
Moderated by Karen Nieuwenhuijsen
Are health-related, lifestyle, work-related, and socio-demographic factors associated with work productivity among menopausal women? A systematic review
Sandra van Oostrom (presenter)
Sandra H. van Oostrom, Michelle G. A. Clevis, Karen Nieuwenhuijsen, Irene G. M. van Valkengoed, Teddy Oosterhuis, Karin I. Proper
Abstract
Objective: An increasing number of women at menopausal age, of whom many experience menopausal symptoms, are participating in the workforce. Understanding the factors that influence work productivity in this life stage can inform the development of targeted interventions. The goal of this systematic review was to explore which health-related, lifestyle, work-related, and socio-demographic factors are associated with work productivity among menopausal women.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted for observational studies in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase up to July 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The GRADE framework for prognostic research was applied to evaluate the quality of evidence.
Results: A total of 29 studies were included. Menopausal symptoms in general, as well as psychological and vasomotor symptoms, and lower sleep quality were associated with lower at-work productivity, with moderate to high-quality of evidence. Additionally, there was moderate-quality of evidence that better (perceived) health was associated with higher at-work productivity. Regarding absenteeism, moderate evidence was found for an association with vasomotor symptoms. Inconclusive evidence was found for socio-demographic, work-related factors and remaining health-related and lifestyle factors in relation to both at-work productivity and absenteeism.
Conclusion: This review highlights the association of menopausal symptoms and poor sleep quality with decreased work productivity in menopausal women. The evidence for other associations was limited due to the low quality of available evidence or the lack of sufficient studies. Further research on modifiable lifestyle and work-related factors, is needed to improve the work functioning of women during menopause.
Do psychosocial working conditions moderate the association between menopausal symptoms and presenteeism? The Lifelines Cohort Study
Michelle Clevis (presenter)
Michelle G.A. Clevis, Sandra H. van Oostrom, Bette Loef, Irene G.M. van Valkengoed, Karen Nieuwenhuijsen, Karin I. Proper
Abstract
Objective: Given the high prevalence of menopausal symptoms and their potential impact on work functioning, understanding the role of work conditions may inform targeted workplace interventions. Therefore, this study aims to examine the association between menopausal symptoms and presenteeism, and whether it is moderated by psychosocial working conditions.
Methods: Data were used from 16,157 working women participating in the Lifelines Cohort Study, who completed a questionnaire on menopause and work. Current study included 9,269 employed women aged 40–67 years who were in the peri- (n = 1,883) or postmenopausal stage (n = 7,386). Menopausal symptoms were measured with the Greene Climacteric Scale and presenteeism with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire. Psychosocial work conditions included job demands, work pace, influence at work, job insecurity, social support from colleagues, social support from supervisor measured by the COPSOQ, and autonomy at work measured by the VBBA. Moderation by each psychosocial work condition was tested using linear regression models with an interaction term and adjusted for demographic factors, lifestyle factors, working hours, and chronic diseases. For significant interactions (p < 0.10), we conducted stratified analyses.
Results: Preliminary results indicate that menopausal symptoms were associated with increased presenteeism (β =12.1, 95% CI 11.6-12.7). The association between menopausal symptoms and increased presenteeism was significantly moderated by job demands, job insecurity, and autonomy. Stratified analyses showed that stronger associations between menopausal symptoms and increased presenteeism were observed among women with high job demands and insecurity, and low autonomy at work.
Conclusion: Preliminary findings show that menopausal symptoms are associated with increased presenteeism, which is stronger among women with high job demands, high job insecurity and low autonomy. If confirmed, these psychosocial work factors should be addressed in interventions aimed at supporting women’s health and sustainable employability during midlife.
Need for recovery and work-private life balance in menopausal women in Belgium
Ilse Vingerhoets (presenter)
Bart Garmyn , Dirk Van de Walle
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of menopause symptoms, a high need for recovery (NFR, an early indicator of poor mental wellbeing), and a poor work life balance in menopausal women at work in Belgium.
Materials and Methods: Up till now, 957 menopausal women took part in a cross-sectional questionnaire study evaluating their menopause status and overall well-being at work. This analysis examined the prevalence of menopausal symptoms, a high need for recovery, poor work-life balance and the ability to discuss menopause at work.
Results: A total of 952 menopausal women were included in the current analysis. Of these women, 119 (12.5%) never had menopausal symptoms, 341 (35.8%) had symptoms in the past, and 492 (51.7%) were still experiencing menopausal symptoms at the time of the study. Overall, 41.9% of women had a high need for recovery and 15.2% reported a poor work-life balance. Only 16.3% were able to discuss menopause at work. Within the group of women with current menopausal symptoms (n=492), 49.7% indicated a high need for recovery and 55.3% indicated that they experienced problems at work due to these symptoms. In addition, among women with menopausal symptoms that caused problems at work, both a high need for recovery (61,8%) and a poor life work balance (18.9%) were three times more common than among women who never had symptoms (20.8% and 6% respectively).Also, in this group, only 8,1% of women were able to discuss menopause at work.
Conclusion: The results obtained in this study are completely in line with the findings earlier reported in a smaller sample (1). Women with menopausal symptoms affecting their work report a higher prevalence of a high need for recovery and a poor work-life balance and need further attention.
MidFit: a lifestyle program to support perimenopausal women
Patricia Heavey (presenter)
Edel Flynn, Kelly Lee McNulty, Annalouise Muldoon, Rosarie Kealy, Michael Harrison, John Windle, Kira Murphy, Aoife Lane
Abstract
Objective: While menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) remains the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms, there is growing evidence to support the benefits of lifestyle adjustments for managing symptoms and optimising health outcomes during perimenopause and beyond. The aim of this research was to develop a lifestyle programme for perimenopausal women, and to evaluate the programme’s acceptability and effectiveness on symptoms.
Methods: A lifestyle intervention incorporating physical activity and menopause-specific health education (including basics of menopause, benefits of physical activity and diet, mental health and well-being, sleep, pelvic floor health, sexual health, hormonal replacement therapy and health after menopause) was implemented over six-weeks. This was initially piloted using a pre-post design. Learnings from the pilot study were then incorporated into a quasi-randomised control trial. Feasibility for both studies was assessed through recruitment, retention and adherence rates, as well as safety measures. Acceptability was evaluated using weekly questionnaires and a focus group or interviews with a subset of participants. Secondary outcomes included self-reported perimenopausal symptoms (Menopause Rating Scale [MRS]).
Results: Of 38 eligible participants who registered interest in the pilot study, 21 enrolled (55% recruitment rate), of which 17 completed pre- and post-intervention assessments (81% retention rate). On average, participants attended 83% of group sessions either in person or online. No safety concerns were reported. Participants found the programme acceptable, with focus group interviews revealing positive feedback regarding its relevance and efficacy. Total MRS score decreased over time (pre-intervention: 16.82 ± 7.74 Au; post-intervention: 8.53 ± 5.72 Au, P = <0.001). Findings from the randomised controlled trial are currently being analysed.
Conclusion: The findings from the pilot study supports the feasibility and acceptability of a lifestyle programme for perimenopausal women with additional support for a positive impact of the programme on perimenopause-related symptoms.