(CNN) Menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and trouble sleeping can add billions of dollars to health care costs and reduce productivity in the workplace, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. There is a nature.
Researchers studied approximately 5,000 women aged 45 to 60 who were primary care patients at the Mayo Clinic. At the time of the study, 4,440 women were employed.
“13% of the women we surveyed experienced adverse work outcomes related to menopausal symptoms, and about 11% missed days from work because of these symptoms,” the study said. Stephanie Faubion, Ph.D., lead author and director of the Mayo Clinic, said. Women’s Health, the news said in her release.
Conducted in 2021, the study used the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) to assess women’s symptoms.
The researchers found an average MRS score of 12.1. This indicates a “moderate menopausal symptom burden.”
“Menopausal symptoms pose workplace challenges that can manifest themselves as decreased work productivity (presenteeism), lost working days (absenteeism), and increased outpatient visits.” the researcher wrote in the study.
Using data from the 2020 U.S. Census to determine the number of women ages 45 to 60 in the United States, the researchers found that the annual cost of lost workdays was $1.8 billion and $25 billion. It estimates that nearly $1000 in health care costs can be attributed to menopause.
“This estimate does not include costs related to reduced working hours, unemployment, early retirement and job changes,” the study said.
Limitations of this study included that the majority of participants were Caucasian (93%), married (76.5%), and college educated (59.3%).
According to Faubion, racial and ethnic differences have been pointed out, but more research is needed.
“Clinicians should ask women about menopausal symptoms and provide guidance and treatment, and employers should develop workplace strategies and policies to help women navigate this universal life transition. It needs to be done in a timely manner,” said Forbion.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, menopause usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55 when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone.
Correction: A previous version of this article contained an incorrect estimate of the annual cost of lost days.