What kind of society would be easier for women navigating menopause to live in?

Based on the results of 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 reality of menopause surrounding working women in their late 40s.

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

Part 2 introduced the following six characteristics of people who confront the difficult symptoms often experienced during menopause.

In Part 3, based on open-ended responses from the same survey, we will explore how those experiencing menopausal symptoms perceive the timing of their onset, what makes coping easier, and hints on how society as a whole should address this challenge.

Part 1: Refusing to Be Defeated by Menopause! Reiwa-Era Women in Their Late 40s Confronting Menopausal Symptoms
Part 2: Insights from Analyzing the "High Menopause Coping Level" Group! Hints for Successfully Navigating Menopause

What Do Women in Their Late 40s Think Menopause Means?

In the survey, we asked participants to freely respond to questions like the ones below and received numerous answers. While only a selection, representative comments clearly show how women experiencing this period perceive it.

As seen here, some women in their fifties become aware that passing through this menopausal period means a different second half of life awaits them, distinct from the life they've lived so far.

They seem to realize that carrying everything they've worked so hard to shoulder up until now into the future is simply impossible, both physically and mentally.

Summarizing the opinions of the survey participants reveals that various feelings begin to emerge within them, such as the following.

Advice for the Generation Approaching Menopause

We also received messages for those approaching menopause, and here are a few examples.

Many advised those approaching menopause to prioritize self-care, stop pushing themselves too hard, and talk openly with those close to them. Numerous opinions also emphasized the importance of seeking medical advice early if feeling unwell, consulting with doctors, and exploring ways to find relief.

Creating a society where women can thrive healthily and actively in their second stage of life

As seen in the first survey results, many women in their mid-50s today still wish to continue working. Around 1923, about 100 years ago, the average life expectancy in Japan was 42.06 years for men and 43.2 years for women (Source: Demographic Statistics Collection). However, as of 2023, the average life expectancy is 81.05 years for men and 87.09 years for women (Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2022 Abbreviated Life Tables). This means that menopause becoming a midpoint in life, and women being able to work longer, is a very recent development in the history of Japanese society. To build a society where future generations can overcome menopause and continue living long, healthy lives afterward, we must accelerate efforts to foster understanding of menopausal symptoms both in the workplace and at home.

• The physical discomfort experienced during menopause may not be visible to others, but it is a painful reality for those going through it.
• The painful symptoms of menopause are a natural process that can happen to anyone.

By promoting this understanding and eliminating negative biases within society, we can foster more environments where the difficulties of menopausal symptoms can be discussed openly in everyday conversations at work and home.

Furthermore, as individuals become more comfortable naturally engaging with their own bodies, they can proactively address potential health risks after menopause. This could lead to more people living independently and healthily in the latter half of their lives.

Workplaces can also implement measures like creating environments where employees feel comfortable discussing physical or mental health concerns. For instance, introducing a health mentor system where employees can easily find a female senior colleague to consult with, or implementing flexible work arrangements and leave policies that allow employees to pace themselves according to their physical condition, could increase the number of people who can work positively while managing symptoms during this period.

Enhancing health literacy among those directly affected—including awareness, deep understanding of symptoms, and engagement with healthcare providers—remains crucial. As those with higher coping skills tended to have a deeper understanding of their condition, gaining an objective understanding of one's state can lead to more calm and effective responses.

Over three installments, Dentsu Inc. Mama Lab has examined the findings from the "2022 Survey on Menopausal Symptoms, Work, and Family Among Working Women in Their 40s and 50s," exploring the realities of the working menopausal generation and the challenges revealed.

We hope this report serves as a useful reference, even in a small way, for future social development.

[Survey Overview]

Survey Title: Dentsu Inc. Mama Lab "2022 Survey on Menopausal Symptoms, Work, and Family Among Working Women in Their Late 40s and Early 50s"
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)

 

※Since menopausal symptoms can affect anyone regardless of whether they have children, the survey itself was deliberately conducted without limiting participants to mothers.