Women’s income fell 10% four years after menopause diagnosis

According to a new UCL study published by the Institute of Finance, women’s income dropped significantly in the years after menopause diagnosis, with women stopping less and others working less.

Economists at UCL, University of Bergen, Stanford and University of Delaware calculated that women’s income fell by an average of 4.3% in the four years after menopause diagnosis, and losses deepened to 10% in the fourth year.

A 10% reduction in income accounts for about half of the 23% income loss experienced by new mothers, also known as a “child penalty.”

The researchers analyzed data from Sweden and Norway, including medical records that determined the date of the first menopause diagnosis. The researchers compared women who received the diagnosis with women who later received the diagnosis to compare the effects of menopause with the general effects of aging.

The main sample looked at women born between 1961 and 1968, with a diagnosis related to menopause between the ages of 45-55.

The researchers found that the decline in income experienced by women during menopause is mainly due to a decrease in the likelihood of working and a decrease in contract working hours.

The team said the likelihood of claiming disability insurance benefits increased by 4.8% over the four years after menopause diagnosis, suggesting that menopause symptoms significantly affect women’s working patterns.

Researchers call for better information about the availability of menopause, as well as for women experiencing menopause to better access to menopause-related care.

Lead author Gabriela Conte (UCL Economics) said: “All women experience menopause, but every woman’s experience is unique. We look at women with a menopause diagnosis, so these women may be more severe than the general population. Our research shows how the negative effects of menopause punishment change among women.”

The researchers found that the decline in income and working hours focused on women without college degrees and graduate women were not fined.

Professor Conti said: “On average, graduate women tend to have a better understanding of menopause symptoms and better understand their treatment options. This may mean they can better adapt and continue working throughout menopause.

“Our findings suggest that better information and opportunities for improved care related to menopause are essential to eliminating fines for menopause and ensuring that workplaces can better support women during this transition.”

The study found that some workplaces are more “menopausal-friendly” than others, and women face greater income declines in smaller and private sector companies than women with larger and public sector employers.

The researchers also considered the impact of menopause diagnosis on medical needs. Unlike the ongoing and persistent impact on income, menopause diagnosis results in a dramatic increase in GP and expert visits, followed by an increase in drug use length.

Data show that physical symptoms of HRT for menopause have increased, but the use of antidepressants has also increased by 5.1% after menopause diagnosis.

The study also evaluated the impact of menopause-related care on Swedish TV stations by leveraging the broadcast of landmark menopause TV programs titled Klimakterior: Det Ska Handa Dig Med (“Menopausal: It Will Be For You”).

The researchers found that broadcasting led to a surge in diagnosis and HRT prescriptions, which may be driven by increased patient demand and physician response capabilities. The results of the study show that public awareness can lead to lasting improvements in diagnosis and treatment, especially for women with less education.

Professor Rita Ginja, co-author of the University of Bergen, said: “We were surprised to find that few studies have been done on menopause, which more than half of the world’s adults will experience. We hope that our work will help menopause have more impacts on women’s career and economic well-being.”

Professor Conte said: “As society age and economy depend on longer working lifespans, policy makers must understand the power of driving women out of the workforce. Our findings suggest that menopause is one of them.”