A qualitative study of work and early menopause: 'On-the job' experiences and career trajectories

Amanda J Vincent; Kate Johnston-Ataata; Jacinthe Flore; Renata Kokanović; Martha Hickey; Jacqueline A Boyle; Helena J Teede

doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.107920

A qualitative study of work and early menopause: 'On-the job' experiences and career trajectories

Maturitas. 2024 Apr:182:107920. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.107920. Epub 2024 Jan 23.

Authors

Amanda J Vincent¹, Kate Johnston-Ataata², Jacinthe Flore³, Renata Kokanović⁴, Martha Hickey⁵, Jacqueline A Boyle⁶, Helena J Teede⁷

Affiliations

¹ Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation-MCHRI, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: amanda.vincent@monash.edu.
² School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Women's Health Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: kate.johnston-ataata@whv.org.au.
³ School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: jacinthe.flore@unimelb.edu.au.
⁴ School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: renata.kokanovic@rmit.edu.au.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne and the Royal Women's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: hickeym@unimelb.edu.au.
⁶ Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation-MCHRI, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: jaqueline.boyle@monash.edu.
⁷ Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation-MCHRI, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: helena.teede@monash.edu.

PMID: 38280355
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.107920

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.

Keywords: Early menopause; Menopause; Premature ovarian insufficiency; Qualitative; Work.

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Iatrogenic Disease
Menopause
Menopause, Premature*
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency*
Qualitative Research