A substantial minority of women need support to alleviate menopausal symptoms, while the same proportion need no support at all. A new women’s health survey from Jean Hailes has shown that a better understanding of women’s health at midlife is crucial to avoid ‘catastrophising’ menopausal symptoms.
“The danger of catastrophising menopause symptoms is twofold,” Jean Hailes CEO Sarah White tells Women’s Agenda. “First, we risk frightening women into thinking that menopause is a debilitating time for everyone and that menopause symptoms cannot be managed.”
“Secondly, it increases the risk of stigmatising women over 40, and we really don’t need to give some employers a reason to further discriminate against older women in the workforce.”
Jean Hailes’ new report is one of a series from the 2023 National Women’s Health Survey, a representative survey of Australian women aged 18 and over.
Data shows that one-quarter of Australian women in mid-life (aged 45-64) reported that menopausal symptoms they experienced in the last five years made it hard to do daily activities.
At the same time, however, the same percentage– one quarter– said these symptoms had no substantial impact on their daily lives.
“While we often hear alarming statistics about women quitting jobs due to menopause, our survey reveals that only seven per cent of midlife Australian women have missed work due to menopause symptoms,” says White, adding that “Seventeen per cent reported taking an extended break in the last five years.”
“We must address workplace flexibility for women with severe symptoms, but we also need to recognise that other health issues like pelvic pain and menstrual problems affect women similarly.”
The findings of the survey were broadly similar to the previously published studies, with a few notable exceptions. Jean Hailes found a very low proportion of women reporting sleep disturbance to be associated with menopause. The proportion of women missing days of work, or taking leave from work, is also lower than some estimates being used to address the impacts of menopause in the workplace.
To help the general public better understand the impacts of menopause, authors of the report have suggested that public education be developed in a way that frames menopause as an opportunity for women to implement strategies for healthy ageing.
Public education around premature and early menopause is also needed as women who experience this are at increased risk of chronic disease. The survey found that fewer than half of these women, under 44-years-old, discussed these symptoms with a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. It’s critical as well for GPs to be knowledgeable enough on menopausal symptoms to effectively assess them.
While perimenopause and menopause being discussed more and more in the public eye should be applauded, the report’s authors urge caution against overexaggerating symptoms to avoid unintended consequences of stigmatising women approaching midlife or eroding their resilience.
Further studies are needed to differentiate menopausal symptoms from other workplace stressors, and greater action is urgently needed to work with priority populations, such as diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to better assess their needs when it comes to menopause.