8000004 Need for recovery and work-private life balance in menopausal women in Belgium

<h3>Objective</h3> This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of menopause symptoms, a high need for recovery (NFR, an early indicator of poor mental wellbeing), and a poor work life balance in menopausal women at work in Belgium. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Up till now, 957 menopausal women took part in a cross-sectional questionnaire study evaluating their menopause status and overall well-being at work. This analysis examined the prevalence of menopausal symptoms, a high need for recovery, poor work-life balance and the ability to discuss menopause at work. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 952 menopausal women were included in the current analysis. Of these women, 119 (12.5%) never had menopausal symptoms, 341 (35.8%) had symptoms in the past, and 492 (51.7%) were still experiencing menopausal symptoms at the time of the study. Overall, 41.9% of women had a high need for recovery and 15.2% reported a poor work-life balance. Only 16.3% were able to discuss menopause at work. Within the group of women with current menopausal symptoms (n=492), 49.7% indicated a high need for recovery and 55.3% indicated that they experienced problems at work due to these symptoms. In addition, among women with menopausal symptoms that caused problems at work, both a high need for recovery (61,8%) and a poor life work balance (18.9%) were three times more common than among women who never had symptoms (20.8% and 6% respectively).Also, in this group, only 8,1% of women were able to discuss menopause at work. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The results obtained in this study are completely in line with the findings earlier reported in a smaller sample (1). Women with menopausal symptoms affecting their work report a higher prevalence of a high need for recovery and a poor work-life balance and need further attention.