Quality of life in menopausal women in the workplace – a systematic review

Abstract

Menopausal women are a large and economically relevant group in the workforce. Yet their quality of life (QoL) and needs in the workplace have been neglected. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of QoL of menopausal women in the workplace. Systematic literature searches were executed, yielding 1211 references. After abstract screening, 156 articles remained for full-text screening. Finally, 12 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Age, educational level, type of work, working environment (e.g. crowding, confined spaces, noise, workstation design), permanent place of residency, mental factors (e.g. stress level, workload, work pattern), comorbidities, menopausal symptoms, time since menopause and physical activity have repeatedly been shown to affect QoL in the workplace in menopausal women. Low-threshold access to medical and psychological support as well as individual adaptation of the workplace environment are, among others, retrieved recommendations for employers from these findings. Further raising of awareness of special needs of menopausal working women as well as further systematic research programs are needed.

摘要

更年期妇女是劳动力中一个庞大且与经济相关的群体。然而, 他们的生活质量(QoL)和工作场所的需求却被忽视了。因此, 本系统综述的目的是提供绝经妇女在工作场所的生活质量概况。系统文献检索, 得到1211个参考文献。摘要筛选后, 仍有156篇文章进行全文筛选。最终有12篇文章符合纳入标准, 被纳入本次综述。年龄、教育水平、工作类型、工作环境(如拥挤、密闭空间、噪音、工作站设计)、永久居住地、心理因素(如压力水平、工作量、工作模式)、合并疾病、更年期症状、绝经后时间和体力活动已一再被证明会影响更年期妇女在工作场所的生活质量。除此以外, 这些调查结果为雇主提出了低门槛获得医疗和心理支持以及个人适应工作环境的建议。需要进一步提高对更年期工作妇女特殊需要的认识, 并进行进一步系统研究。

Keywords:

• Menopause
• workplace
• quality of life
• workforce
• systematic literature review

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for Besins Healthcare Germany GmbH initiating a mentoring program for gynecological endocrinology. In this context, the idea for this systematic review was developed. P. Stute was mentor, and S. Baumgartner, A. Kolokythas and S. Theis were mentees. The authors are also grateful for the support of Ms Chayenne Härtli, secretary Inselspital, for helping with ordering the identified publications.

Potential conflict of interest

The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article. Since this systematic review does not include any pharmacological treatments, the authors declare no competing financial interests.

Source of funding

No funding was received.