Impact of Workplace Support Among Workers With Presenteeism Associated With Menopausal Symptoms in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Menopausal symptoms have a significant impact on women's physical and mental health. Although many female workers suffer from menopausal symptoms, their actual situation and its impact on their employment are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between menopausal symptoms and presenteeism, and the effect of support from the workplace. A job-based survey study of 881 female workers in their 40s to 60s working for a single company was conducted in Japan in October, 2023. We used a questionnaire that included items on demographic characteristics, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) to evaluate menopausal symptoms, and the Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun) to measure presenteeism. Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was performed. Compared to female workers without menopausal symptoms, the prevalence of work functioning impairment increased with increasing severity of menopausal symptoms, namely mild [Prevalence Ratio (PR): 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48-3.40, P=0.608], moderate [PR: 5.12; 95%CI: 2.28-11.5, P < 0.001], and severe [PR: 13.8; 95%CI: 6.15-31.0, P < 0.001]. MRS scores and prevalence of work functioning impairment showed a significant trend (P < 0.001). Female workers who did not receive support from the workplace were more likely to experience work functioning impairment [PR: 3.16; 95%CI: 2.05-4.89, P < 0.001]. There is an association between menopause symptoms and presenteeism in Japanese women. Support from the workplace for menopausal symptoms may improve presenteeism.