A new study has found that women experience a significant decline in income after being diagnosed with menopause. Researchers from University College London (UCL), the University of Bergen, Stanford University, and the University of Delaware analyzed data from Sweden and Norway to highlight the economic impact of this natural life stage.
Menopause and Financial Impact
The study found that in the four years following a menopause diagnosis, women earn on average 4.3% less. By the fourth year, their income drops further, showing a 10% decline compared to pre-menopause earnings.
Understanding Menopause and Its Symptoms
Menopause occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops, typically between ages 45 and 55. It can cause symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbances
How Menopause Affects Employment
The study, published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, found that the decline in income is mainly due to women working fewer hours or leaving their jobs entirely.
Researchers also discovered that women experiencing menopause were 4.8% more likely to claim disability benefits, indicating that symptoms can be severe enough to impact work productivity.
Interestingly, the study found that the impact was not uniform for all women:
- Women without a university degree faced greater financial losses.
- Educated women did not experience significant income decline, possibly due to better awareness and access to menopause treatment options.
Workplace Support and Menopause-Friendly Policies
The study revealed that small, private-sector companies were less accommodating of menopause-related challenges compared to larger, public-sector employers.
Other key findings include:
- A temporary increase in doctor visits after a menopause diagnosis.
- A long-term rise in medication use.
- A 5.1% increase in antidepressant prescriptions.
The Need for Better Awareness and Menopause Care
Researchers emphasized the need for greater awareness and improved access to menopause-related healthcare.
Menopause diagnoses and prescriptions for hormone therapy increased as a result of a Swedish television program called “Menopause: It Will Happen to You Too” raising public awareness.
Experts Call for Further Research
Professor Gabriella Conti, the study’s lead author, stressed that menopause is a key factor influencing women’s workforce participation.
Co-author Professor Rita Ginja (University of Bergen) highlighted the need for more research on the economic effects of menopause to develop better workplace policies and healthcare support.
ALSO READ:
India’s Fight Against TB: PM Modi Commends the ‘TB Mukt Bharat’ Initiative
