In addition to the physical and mental difficulties women experience during menopause, a new study from the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research has found women with menopausal symptoms earn less money, on average, during this life transition.
After examining population-wide Norwegian and Swedish data, the study authors found that women in these countries who visit a health care provider with menopausal symptoms earn approximately 10 percent less four years later, largely due to reductions in working hours or leaving the workforce altogether. This loss of earnings was particularly pronounced among women without college degrees, as well as those who work in manually-intensive jobs and those who work for smaller, private-sector companies. However, the study found evidence that increasing information and awareness about menopausal symptoms and health care could lower the economic losses of menopause.
While the findings from the study’s international data cannot be extrapolated to the U.S., the authors cite previous research that suggests American women may experience similar economic tolls during menopause. According to a prior Mayo Clinic study, menopausal symptoms lead to roughly $1.8 billion in lost work time per year in the U.S.
As women between the ages of 45 and 64 represent roughly one-fifth of the American labor force, the Stanford study suggests more research is needed on how to better support health care for middle-aged women. Based on their recent findings, the authors call on policymakers to implement workplace protections for menopausal women and help raise awareness of menopause and its symptoms.
The research team included scholars from Stanford University, University College London, the University of Bergen in Norway, and the University of Delaware.