We won't let menopause defeat us! Reiwa-era women in their fifties facing menopausal symptoms

*This report refers to the age group 45–54 as the "around-50 generation."

According to the 2022 "Labor Force Survey" by the Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the employment rate for women aged 45 to 54 is 79.4% (※1), meaning 80% of women in the Afifu generation are working. This generation represents the population volume zone (※1) of Japan's working-age population (CECD definition: 15-64 years old). With the revision of the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace effective April 2022, they are an age group expected and focused on as a labor force.

※1 Reference: 2022 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau "Labor Force Survey" Employment Rate by Age Group / Labor Force

Many of these women in their fifties are now entering "menopause."
Menopause refers to the approximately 10-year period spanning about 5 years before and after the cessation of menstruation (Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare commissioned "Support Site for the Minds and Bodies of Working Women"). Similar to adolescence when menstruation begins, menopause is a phase most women experience. During this time, the rapid decrease in the secretion of estrogen, the ovarian hormone commonly known as the "female hormone," causes various physical and mental discomforts for women until their bodies stabilize.

What is Menopause: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare commissioned " Support Site for the Minds and Bodies of Working Women "  

(Compiled by the editorial department based on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare-commissioned "Support Site for the Minds and Bodies of Working Women")

"Menopausal symptoms" are a major concern for women in their fifties.
According to a large-scale survey conducted by NHK in 2021 (published by the National Institute of Labour Policy and Training), it is estimated that over one million people experience "menopause loss" – meaning menopausal symptoms have negatively impacted their work in some way.

Dentsu Inc. Mama Lab conducted a quantitative survey to understand the reality of menopausal symptoms and coping strategies. It also aimed to reveal how women in their 40s and 50s navigate family, work, and society while experiencing physical and mental changes and discomfort. The survey sought to uncover insights, needs, and societal impacts formed through living with menopausal symptoms.

This series will share the attitudes and behaviors of working women in their fifties living with menopausal symptoms, emerging trends, and hints for overcoming menopause. Part 1 covers menopausal symptoms, coping strategies, and attitudes toward work.

Menopausal symptoms are unpredictable turbulence of physical and mental discomfort. They plague us daily, but we refuse to be defeated!

According to Dentsu Inc. Mama Lab's "2022 Survey on Menopausal Symptoms, Work, and Family Among Working Women in Their 50s," approximately 60% of 10,000 working women in their 50s experience some form of menopausal symptom.

Symptoms or physical changes that appeared or worsened during menopause were: 1st "Fatigue" (62.1%), 2nd "Stiff shoulders" (48.6%), 3rd "Lethargy/Feeling sluggish" (48.3%), 4th: "Insomnia/shallow sleep" (47.4%), and 5th: "Excessive sweating/sudden sweating" (44.1%). Roughly half of respondents experience various symptoms, with an average of 7.63 symptoms per person, indicating that symptoms often occur in combination.

Furthermore, this survey of 300 employed women in their fifties experiencing symptoms reveals the reality of menopausal symptoms.

Looking at the top five daily difficulties and disruptions to life caused by menopausal symptoms, 76.7% reported being troubled by "physical fatigue" to the extent that it interfered with their daily life. Other significant issues included "daily fluctuations in physical condition" (65.3%), "unpredictability of when discomfort will occur" (64.6%), "mood swings" (63.4%), and "irritability" (61.3%). This indicates that over 60% of women feel completely unable to control their condition.

Furthermore, since these symptoms themselves cannot be cured immediately, a staggering 89.0% of women feel they ultimately have no choice but to endure them.

Despite being troubled daily by these unpredictable and incurable symptoms, 76.0% of women expressed a strong determination: "I don't want to be defeated by menopausal symptoms." They seem unwilling to endure painful symptoms and let menopause end as a difficult period.

They also see the positive side of menopause, with 74.0% stating, "I'm happy my periods have stopped; it feels liberating." Furthermore, 73.7% express eagerness to confront their symptoms, saying, "If new coping methods or treatments become available, I want to try them."

Confused by information, struggling with coping. The current reality of facing menopausal symptoms through self-help efforts alone

So how are they coping with this difficult situation? The survey revealed that working women in their fifties are managing or alleviating menopausal symptoms through lifestyle improvements that are easy to incorporate even with busy schedules, such as "rest" (45.3%), "regular exercise/stretching" (34.3%), and "adjusting nutritional balance in meals" (33.3%).

In contrast, the rate of seeking medical care is low at 11.7%, indicating a still-limited awareness of treating menopausal symptoms themselves.

While they are making efforts to ease symptoms, the reality seems to be that even with the desire to manage them, they are struggling because they don't know the correct measures to take for improvement. This is reflected in responses such as "Even if I recognize it as menopausal symptoms, I don't know what to do" (66.0%) and "I feel there is insufficient or inadequate information about menopausal symptoms" (65.7%). Establishing and improving channels where those troubled by menopausal symptoms can access accurate information on appropriate coping methods and treatments tailored to their individual symptoms is an urgent necessity.

Even with menopausal symptoms, they want to work as usual and continue their jobs. Achieving this requires support from companies and society.

The negative impact of menopausal symptoms on work is quite severe.
Approximately half of respondents reported symptoms affecting their work: "I sometimes become emotional due to menopausal symptoms" (55.0%) and "I feel stressed because I can't concentrate or perform tasks as intended" (48.3%).

While 52.0% stated, "I'm making efforts to alleviate discomfort caused by menopausal symptoms because I want to continue my current job," an equal number reported that physical and mental discomfort due to menopause makes it difficult to achieve their desired work style. This state of working amidst such unfairness is another factor tormenting women in their fifties, alongside the painful symptoms themselves.

Women in their fifties endure a double burden: the pain of menopausal symptoms themselves and the hardship of working while physically and mentally unwell. Yet, many remain strongly resolved: "I won't quit my job. I will keep working."

97.6% of women in their fifties recognize the necessity of saving for the future, and 81.7% are prepared to keep working even after turning 60. Only about 30% responded that they "intend to quit work early if possible," while nearly 70% stated they "do not intend to quit work early."

However, relying solely on their strong personal will and self-help efforts to continue working through the physically and mentally challenging menopause period as before is proving quite difficult.

As mentioned earlier, even if individuals take measures to cope, symptoms may not necessarily ease, and the inability to control or prevent their onset is a defining characteristic of menopausal symptoms. Therefore, the key lies in society as a whole understanding the "challenges and injustices of menopause," and then cooperating and co-creating an environment where women can work effectively while managing menopausal symptoms, enabling them to perform with confidence and peace of mind despite these symptoms.

Many working women in their fifties also expressed expectations for "understanding of menopausal symptoms in the workplace, society, and at home" (74.3%) and "work arrangements and time off tailored to their physical condition, such as remote work or reduced hours" (73.7%).

Dentsu Inc. Mama Lab will continue to publish reports on menopause and working women, aiming to contribute to societal understanding of women in their fifties living with menopausal symptoms.

Our second report will offer insights on successfully navigating menopause, based on trends observed among working women striving to adapt to menopausal symptoms.

*Percentage composition (%) is rounded to the second decimal place, so totals may not always add up to 100%.

[Survey Overview]
Survey Title: Dentsu Inc. Mama Lab "2022 Survey on Menopausal Symptoms, Work, and Family Among Working Women in Their 50s"
Survey Participants:
■Screening Survey: Nationwide women aged 45-54 who are employed (including part-time and temporary workers)
■Main Survey:
Experienced menopausal symptoms and had specific menopausal symptoms occur.
■Screening Response Count: 10,000 samples (collected according to population composition)
■Main Survey Response Count: 300 samples (weighted back to match screening occurrence composition)
① 150 samples aged 45–49
② 150 samples aged 50–54
Survey Method: Internet survey
Survey Period:
■Screening: Wednesday, October 5, 2022 – Monday, October 10, 2022
■Main survey: October 7, 2022 (Friday) to October 8, 2022 (Saturday)