Scorching flashes, reminiscence loss, problem concentrating, temper swings, urinary incontinence and joint ache: these are simply a few of the greater than 100 signs related to the menopause, a pure course of that every one ladies undergo once they cease ovulating and menstruating, sometimes between the ages of 45 and 55.
Along with the stigma and discrimination ladies face throughout this organic transition, the bodily and psychological results can negatively influence their high quality of life and productiveness at work.
A research revealed in Frontiers in Reproductive Well being by Clara Selva Olid, researcher on the Behavioral Design Lab (BDLab), which is affiliated to the UOC’s analysis unit on Digital Well being, Well being and Nicely-being, has discovered that implementing public actions within the political, social and organizational spheres will help cut back discrimination and social stigma, counteract the dearth of consideration given to this stage of life and considerably enhance each high quality of life and the well being care acquired by ladies.
Giving ladies a voice
Drawing on interviews with 20 ladies between the ages of 45 and 60 who’ve skilled each bodily and psychological signs associated to the menopause and postmenopause over the previous 5 years, Selva Olid, additionally a member of the School of Psychology and Training Sciences on the UOC, has developed a 10-point proposal with key areas for motion: social consciousness, schooling, and office and well being measures.
“My intention was to offer ladies a voice within the design of extra inclusive and efficient insurance policies to higher assist them by this transition,” defined Selva Olid, who believes that it’s important for ladies to be actively concerned within the design, implementation and analysis of public insurance policies to make sure that they honestly mirror their wants and lived experiences.
The research additionally brings to the fore the controversy on the way to adapt such initiatives to the completely different social and financial realities confronted by ladies in Spain.
Proposed actions
In keeping with the Catalan Institute of Statistics (IDESCAT), there are almost a million ladies within the area between the ages of 45 and 60—the age vary by which this transition sometimes begins. Components similar to well being, genetics, sociocultural context and publicity to environmental components finally decide when menstruation ends for good.
Nevertheless, perimenopause can start a number of years earlier, bringing irregular intervals and hormonal fluctuations. As soon as menstruation stops, postmenopausal signs, which have an effect on eight out of 10 ladies, can final for a number of years.
Regardless of being a pure course of that every one ladies undergo, there may be usually a lack of understanding. The general public well being system additionally tends to be over-medicalized, and myths and discriminations persist.
Towards this background, Selva Olid’s research aimed to establish and analyze actions that public organizations in Spain can take to assist ladies throughout the menopausal transition. The research concludes with an motion plan in key areas: the social sphere, public well being and the office, and medical analysis.
1. Social sphere. The ladies who took half within the research known as for measures to extend the social visibility of the menopause, increase consciousness of its results and develop methods for assist and normalization. One such measure could be to incorporate the menopause in class curricula, which might assist normalize it as simply one other stage of life.
“It is about creating assist methods to stop many ladies from feeling remoted or ashamed, and finally to interrupt the stigma,” mentioned Selva Olid, including that “we have to work to empower ladies to take extra management over their very own well being.”
Position fashions have an extremely constructive influence, and on this respect Selva Olid believes that social media play a useful position in normalizing this stage of life—in contrast to conventional media, which have lagged behind in supporting this mindset shift.
2. Public well being. It is important to have well being professionals skilled in menopause, in addition to entry to psychological assist, assist teams or workshops on wholesome habits.
Selva Olid mentioned that “though it is a pure stage of life that may have a big influence on a lady’s well being and work efficiency, the monetary price of remedies to alleviate signs and enhance well-being is borne solely by ladies. However it ought to be a social duty—ladies do not select to undergo the menopause.”
3. The office. The interviews carried out as a part of the research present that, as a way to create a extra equitable working setting, there’s a want for obligatory work-life steadiness insurance policies and clearly outlined menopause assist. This consists of authorities incentives for organizations that implement greatest practices and promote employees coaching and consciousness to cut back gender bias, encourage open dialogue and assist normalize this life stage.
Measures similar to appointing menopause position fashions in corporations, providing versatile working preparations and variations (e.g. extra breathable uniforms), putting in further water stations within the office, permitting distant working and offering menopause-related go away may be extremely efficient in serving to ladies to steadiness work with the challenges of this stage, whereas additionally decreasing absenteeism and stopping job loss or resignation.
On this regard, Catalonia is a pioneer in Spain, having adopted the Complete Plan for Menstrual and Climacteric Fairness 2023–2025, which represents a big step ahead in recognizing menstrual and menopausal well being as a matter of rights and well-being, each within the office and in society.
Nevertheless, as Selva Olid identified, “it is nonetheless not sufficient to realize actual fairness, as it is not a binding legislation that forces motion to be taken within the office.”
4. Medical analysis. Extra funding and sources must be dedicated to analysis into the menopause, notably remedies and therapies to alleviate signs and stop long-term well being issues.
“Thus far, analysis into ladies’s well being, if it has taken place in any respect, has targeted on the reproductive part, leaving menopause within the background, regardless of its profound bodily, emotional and social influence,” Selva Olid mentioned.
She added that her curiosity on this space stems from “the necessity to enhance scientific data about this stage of life and to offer knowledge that may assist enhance ladies’s high quality of life.”
Extra info:
Clara Selva, Proposals for built-in public administration of the menopausal transition and postmenopause by Spanish ladies’s experiences: a qualitative research, Frontiers in Reproductive Well being (2024). DOI: 10.3389/frph.2024.1483267
Quotation:
Complete motion plan requires schooling, office assist and analysis on menopause (2025, Could 26)
retrieved 26 Could 2025
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