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MENOPAUSE AND ITS COSTS
Mayo Clinic study puts price tag on cost of menopause symptoms for women in the workplace
A recent Mayo Clinic study reveals that menopause symptoms have a significant financial impact on US employers, costing them an estimated $1.8 billion in lost work time each year. When factoring in medical expenses, the annual cost rises to a staggering $26.6 billion. These symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep disturbances, joint aches, and cognitive difficulties, not only affect the quality of life for millions of women but also negatively impact their performance in the workplace.
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Lead author Dr. Stephanie Faubion, the director of Mayo Clinic Women's Health, emphasizes the critical need for employers to address this issue and provide support for women experiencing menopause symptoms. Given that menopause typically occurs around the age of 52 and a significant number of women in this age group are part of the workforce, the impact on productivity, absenteeism, medical expenses, and career advancement opportunities is substantial.
To assess the impact of menopause symptoms on working women, the Mayo Clinic researchers invited over 32,000 women aged 45 to 60, who were receiving primary care at Mayo Clinic, to participate in a survey study.
The findings, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, reveal a clear association between menopause symptoms and adverse work outcomes, with the severity of symptoms being a strong predictor of work-related difficulties. The study underscores the importance of improving medical treatment for women and creating a supportive workplace environment for those experiencing menopause symptoms.
According to the study, 13% of the women surveyed reported experiencing adverse work outcomes due to menopause symptoms, while approximately 11% reported missing work days because of these symptoms. The study also suggests potential racial and ethnic differences in the impact of symptoms, though further research with larger and more diverse groups is needed to explore this aspect more comprehensively.
