Projects per year
Abstract
Objectives: Early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), menopause occurring before age 45 and 40 years respectively, occur at the age when most women are establishing or consolidating their careers. Studies of older postmenopausal women indicate an adverse bidirectional relationship between menopause and work. However, data are lacking regarding the work experiences of women with early menopause or POI. We explored the experiences of women with early menopause or POI in relation to work. Study design: Using maximum variation sampling, 30 women (median age 44 years and 38 years at menopause diagnosis) of diverse backgrounds and menopause causes (16/30 iatrogenic) participated in qualitative interviews to explore experiences of early menopause/POI in the context of their overall lives, work and career. Dual thematic (themes identified across interviews) and thematic narrative (themes identified within individual interviews) analysis was done using NVivo 12 software. Main outcome measures: Themes related to work experiences and influencing factors. Results: Two major themes were identified: ‘on-the-job’ experiences (work performance, bodily presentation and disclosure) and career trajectories (intact and altered). Factors impacting the interaction between work and early menopause/POI included: career (type of work, environment, working conditions), personal (age, socio-economic background, family arrangements, migration history) and menopause experience (spontaneous versus iatrogenic, treatment complexity). Conclusions: Early menopause/POI has multiple impacts on women's work experiences and career trajectories. As with older postmenopausal women, career and personal factors influence younger women's work experience. However, this research highlights differences associated with menopause occurring at an earlier, often unexpected age compared with menopause at the usual age.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 107920 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Maturitas |
Volume | 182 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2024 |
Keywords
- Early menopause
- Menopause
- Premature ovarian insufficiency
- Qualitative
- Work
Projects
- 1 Finished
-
Early Menopause: Implementation Research using the Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Professionals to Translate Evidence into Practice
Teede, H., Kokanovic, R., Vincent, A., Hart, R. J., Boyle, J. & Hickey, M.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (Australia), National Breast Cancer Foundation, Monash Health, Women's Health Victoria
1/06/16 → 28/02/22
Project: Research