Insights from the "High Menopause Coping Level" Analysis! Tips for Successfully Navigating Menopause

Based on findings from the "2022 Survey on Menopausal Symptoms, Work, and Family Among Working Women in Their Late 40s" conducted by Dentsu Inc. Mama Lab, Part 1 reported on the realities of menopause surrounding working women in their late 40s.

Part 1: Not Giving in to Menopause! Women in Their 50s in the Reiwa Era Facing Menopausal Symptoms

The survey revealed that approximately 60% of working women in their 50s experience some form of menopausal symptom. These symptoms significantly impact not only their physical and emotional well-being but also their work and daily lives. While often under-discussed, this reaffirms that menopause is a highly influential issue for both individuals and society.

In Part 2, we introduce tips for navigating menopause more comfortably. We explore the mindset and actions of those who are proactively managing their menopausal symptoms.

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

Deriving hints for overcoming menopause from the "Menopause Coping Level" analysis

※Coping
"Cope" means "to deal with or respond to a problem." It refers to taking some kind of action toward a problem with the goal of resolving the stressor or reducing the burden.

In this analysis, participants were categorized into "High Menopause Coping Level," "Middle Menopause Coping Level," and "Low Menopause Coping Level" based on their scores for positive coping factors indicating proactive responses to menopause.

By analyzing the attitudes and behaviors of the "High Coping Level" group in comparison to the "Middle" and "Low" groups, we identified insights for successfully navigating menopause.

Characteristics of the "High Menopause Coping Level" Group

The characteristics of the "High Menopause Coping Level" group compared to the Middle and Low levels are as follows:

The "High Coping Level" group consists of individuals actively taking steps to improve their menopausal symptoms. They scored significantly higher than the Middle and Low groups on items such as "actively working to improve menopausal symptoms" and "actively seeking information about menopausal symptoms and coping methods."

They also demonstrate high motivation for coping, such as "willing to incur some expense or effort to prevent menopausal symptoms from interfering with daily life" and "willing to try new coping methods or treatments for menopausal symptoms."

The "High Coping Level" group experiences more severe menopausal symptoms themselves compared to other groups. They report experiencing more symptoms, and the percentage of those describing their symptoms as "severe" is higher than in the Middle and Low groups. In other words, the "High Coping Level" group consists of individuals who experience various symptoms daily and endure physical discomfort, yet possess the motivation to improve their condition and are actively taking steps to do so.

From here, we introduce hints for successfully navigating menopause, drawing on the attitudes and actions of this "High Coping Level" group.

Hint 1 from the "High Menopause Coping Level" group:

Deepening Understanding of Menopausal Symptoms

Compared to the overall group, the "High Coping Level" group demonstrated greater knowledge about menopausal symptoms and a deeper understanding of their complexities.

Key areas where they significantly differ from the overall group include detailed knowledge about menopausal symptoms, such as: "Even if one symptom eases, the complex discomfort persists," "Discomfort arises due to declining ovarian function causing a sharp drop in female hormone secretion," "Disorders related to the autonomic nervous system also become more likely," and "What you might think is a temporary illness or physical condition could actually be a menopausal symptom."

Conversely, items showing a smaller difference from the overall group included relatively general points like "Symptoms vary greatly from person to person" and "The manifestation of symptoms shows significant individual differences."

Furthermore, the understanding that "hospital treatment can sometimes alleviate menopausal symptoms" exceeds 85% in the "High Menopause Coping Level" group, showing a higher percentage compared to the overall group. Thus, deep understanding of menopausal symptoms themselves, their causes, risks, and potential future developments appears to contribute to higher menopause coping levels.

Hint 2 from the "High Menopause Coping Level" group:

Effectively managing symptoms by combining personal daily strategies with expert knowledge

So, what daily coping strategies do those in the "High Menopause Coping Level" group, who have a deep understanding of menopause, actually employ?

Survey results indicate that compared to the overall population, the "High Coping Level" group actively tries various methods and devises ways to alleviate symptoms and maintain their lifestyle.

Compared to the overall group, particularly significant differences and characteristics of the "High Coping Level Group" include clothing choices, daily diet, sleep habits, and exercise. This suggests they broadly practice what they can manage within their daily lives.

Furthermore, "visiting hospitals/clinics" was higher at 21.1% compared to the overall group. This indicates that, despite the current lack of widespread awareness about seeking medical care for menopausal symptoms, a relatively large number of individuals in this group are incorporating expert knowledge.

Notably, 35.8% communicate their physical condition to others, suggesting efforts to gain understanding and adjust their environment.

Hint 3 from the "High Menopause Coping Level" group:

Regularly discuss your symptoms and condition with those close to you

Mama Lab examined how much individuals discuss their menopausal symptoms with others, focusing on sharing with close associates.

The graph below shows that the "High Coping Level" group frequently discusses their symptoms with close people on a regular basis.

Compared to the Middle and Low groups, the High group has a higher percentage of people who talk about their symptoms with their spouse/partner, children, friends, and workplace colleagues, and they do so more frequently. Notably, 33.5% (over 30%) talk frequently with their spouse/partner. Including those who talk occasionally (21.4%), nearly half regularly discuss their health with their spouse or partner. Among those with children, half also regularly discuss their symptoms with their children.

Increasing the number of people with whom one can discuss menopausal symptoms, regularly conversing about one's symptoms and condition, and having an environment where such discussions are possible appear to be key points for successfully navigating the difficulties of menopause.

Hint 4 from the "High Menopause Coping Level" group:

Gaining understanding and empathy from those close to you regarding menopausal symptoms

So, how do those close to you react to menopausal symptoms?

The "High Coping Level" group scored higher than the Middle and Low groups in both "psychological burden reduction" and "physical burden reduction" from all close people. Many seem to receive "understanding," "consideration," "empathy/concern," and "sharing of responsibilities" regarding their menopausal symptoms.

The Middle and Low groups show a higher proportion of "not noticing at all," suggesting that creating an environment that reduces psychological and physical burdens is crucial.

Hint 5 from the "High Coping Level for Menopause" group:

Cultivate self-compassion

The "High Menopause Coping Level" group also shows distinct characteristics in their attitude toward themselves.

Compared to the Middle and Low groups, the High group shows significantly higher percentages in statements like: "Menopausal symptoms prompted me to start prioritizing myself, even though I used to put my family first" (83.4%) and "Experiencing menopausal symptoms made me think about my own physical and mental health for the first time" (70.6%). This indicates a strong tendency to consciously start valuing themselves as a result of menopausal symptoms.

Reevaluating one's life, which previously prioritized family, and developing a sense of self-care also appears to be a key point in enhancing menopausal coping.

Hint 6 from the "High Menopause Coping Level" group:

Look beyond menopause and set goals and hopes

Compared to the Middle and Low groups, the High group showed a stronger awareness of having goals and aspirations: "I am making efforts to alleviate discomfort caused by menopausal symptoms because I want to continue my current job" (85.1%) and "I have things I want to do or new things I want to start once my menopausal symptoms settle down" (75.6%). Looking beyond menopause and holding hope for the future also appears to be a driving force for confronting menopause.

In Part 2, we introduced tips for navigating menopause more comfortably, drawing from the attitudes and behaviors of the "High Coping Level" group who manage their symptoms proactively. We hope these tips will be useful for those experiencing menopause themselves or for those supporting someone going through it.

In Part 3, we will further explore how to approach this challenge moving forward, introducing additional free-response comments from the "High Menopause Coping Level" group.

*Percentage composition is rounded to the nearest hundredth, so totals may not always add up to 100%.

[Survey Overview]

Survey Name: Dentsu Inc. Mama Lab "2022 Survey on Menopausal Symptoms, Work, and Family Among Working Women in Their Late 40s"
Survey Participants:
■Screening Survey: Nationwide employed women aged 45-54 (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 to match the occurrence composition ratio from the screening)
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 (Fri) – October 8, 2022 (Sat)