(154) The impact of vasomotor symptoms on women in the workplace in the United States of America: results of an online survey

Background: : Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), characterized by hot flashes and/or night sweats, affect up to 80% of women throughout their menopause transition and can impact midlife women’s work experience and careers.

Objective: : To determine the impact of menopause-related VMS on women in the workplace, including the effect on work productivity, absence and exit, and the importance of support from employers.

Methods: : This was an online survey of women experiencing VMS. The study population was drawn using random sampling from an existing large, national, US panel (Dynata). Inclusion criteria were: women aged 40–65 years; currently experiencing VMS (≥2 hot flash/night sweat episodes per day in past 2 weeks); and currently employed or stopped working/retired within the last year and after VMS onset. Women who had participated in a clinical trial for treating VMS in the preceding 2 years or those with iatrogenic menopause/VMS were excluded.

Results: : Of approximately 180,000 invites, 16,551 respondents interacted with the survey. Post quality control, 1,011 respondents provided completed responses: mean (SD) age was 49.6 (6.4) years and most were White (72.9%) or Black/African American (18.3%). Respondents were employed full time (76.1%), part-time (16.6%), unemployed (5.0%), or retired (2.3%). Mean (SD) number of hot flashes/night sweats per day in the previous 2 weeks was 7.5 (11.1).
Overall, 17.3% of total respondents either stopped working or reduced/considered reducing their work hours owing to VMS, with the estimates as high as 34.4% among those with high VMS severity. Mean (SD) absenteeism (percentage of work missed) and presenteeism (percentage of impairment while working) owing to VMS were 6% (15) and 32% (26), respectively.
The most commonly reported coping mechanisms used at work were temperature control (71.0%) and wearing layered breathable clothing (46.0%).
Employer support of VMS was strongly associated with all work satisfaction variables and emerged as one of the strongest predictors of employer and job satisfaction, with statistically significant positive effects across all categories of support.
When asked how employers could better accommodate VMS, respondents most often cited temperature control (41.7%), flexible or remote work options (23.2%), increased VMS awareness (25.7%), and expanded benefits (27.9%); 42.3% reported they did not see a need for additional accommodations.

Conclusions: : More severe VMS increased work exit, consideration of work exit and absenteeism, and decreased work productivity. Employer support strongly predicted work satisfaction.

Sponsorship:: Astellas Pharma Inc.