Menopause. 2024 Sep 1;31(9):741-749. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002415.
Menopause is a natural life transition experienced by half the world's population. Women aged 50 years and older are the fastest growing demographic group in many countries, making essential contributions to the workforce. Although menopause is a universal and natural life transition, the symptom experience is highly variable among women. Some women may experience few or no symptoms, whereas others may be bothered by moderate to severe symptoms for a decade or longer, which can adversely affect quality of life, relationships, job satisfaction, and career advancement. Indeed, menopause symptoms, including vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms, as well as sleep and mood disturbances are associated with multiple adverse work outcomes. Studies to date have demonstrated that these adverse work outcomes related to menopause symptoms include a compromised ability to work, reduced work productivity, absenteeism, and even loss of employment or an early exit from the workforce. Further, the relationship between menopause symptoms and work may be bidirectional, with certain aspects of the work environment being linked with a greater menopause symptom burden, such as insufficient restroom facilities, unpredictable or long work hours, the inability to take breaks, and confined or crowded workspaces. Thus, workplace solutions may need to be tailored based on women's individual needs, the work environment, and the type of work.The Menopause Society, in conjunction with an expert panel of medical and legal experts and women's health advocates, has developed a set of consensus recommendations that challenges employers to create a menopause-supportive workplace for their employees. These recommendations include, among other things, suggestions for employers to review policies and healthcare plans and benefits and to consider flexibility and accommodations that may be needed for some women with menopause symptoms. Guidance for women with menopause symptoms that affect them at work in terms of understanding their resources and empowering them to be self-advocates are also provided, as well as recommendations for what occupational health professionals should know and do for women with bothersome menopause symptoms in the workplace.
更年期是全球一半人口经历的自然生命过渡。在许多国家，50 岁及以上的女性是增长最快的人口群体，为劳动力做出了重要贡献。尽管更年期是一种普遍且自然的生命过渡，但女性的症状体验差异很大。有些女性可能只有少数或没有症状，而有些女性可能会受到 10 年或更长时间的中度到重度症状困扰，这会对生活质量、人际关系、工作满意度和职业发展产生不利影响。事实上，更年期症状，包括血管舒缩和泌尿生殖系统症状以及睡眠和情绪障碍，与多种不良工作结果相关。迄今为止的研究表明，这些与更年期症状相关的不良工作结果包括工作能力受损、工作效率降低、旷工，甚至失业或提前退出劳动力市场。此外，更年期症状与工作之间的关系可能是双向的，工作环境的某些方面与更大的更年期症状负担有关，例如厕所设施不足、工作时间不可预测或长、无法休息、工作空间有限或拥挤。因此，可能需要根据女性的个人需求、工作环境和工作类型定制工作场所解决方案。
更年期学会与一组医学和法律专家以及女性健康倡导者组成的专家小组合作，制定了一套共识建议，要求雇主为员工创造一个支持更年期的工作场所。这些建议除其他外，包括建议雇主审查政策和医疗保健计划和福利，并考虑为一些有更年期症状的女性提供可能需要的灵活性和适应措施。还为受更年期症状影响工作的女性提供了指导，帮助她们了解自身资源并赋予她们自我倡导的能力，以及为职业健康专业人员提供了有关在工作场所为有困扰的更年期症状的女性应了解和做些什么的建议。
