Job Strain, Smoking, and Stress Intensify Menopause Symptoms, Study Finds
A new study highlights the critical need for workplace and healthcare support for women experiencing climacteric symptoms, revealing a strong link between job strain, stress, smoking, and the severity of these often-debilitating changes.
Researchers published their findings in the July 2025 issue of the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, focusing on the experiences of middle-aged, full-time working women. The retrospective study sought to understand how work and health factors contribute to the challenges women face during this transitional period, before seeking any treatment.
The Impact of Work and Lifestyle on Climacteric Symptoms
The research team assessed 313 Finnish women between the ages of 52 and 56, all employed full-time and who had not previously undergone treatment for menopause-related symptoms. The study measured symptom experience based on the negative impact on both general well-being and work performance. Specific symptoms evaluated included hot flushes, excessive sweating, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and depressive symptoms.
Alongside symptom assessment, researchers analyzed a range of work- and health-related factors. These included the psychosocial work environment, lifestyle choices like physical activity and body size, smoking status, levels of perceived stress, and the availability of social support.
Key Findings: A Cascade of Contributing Factors
The results revealed a concerning correlation between several factors and the intensity of climacteric symptoms. According to the study, women experiencing a high-strain job, actively smoking, reporting high levels of stress, and lacking adequate social support experienced both more frequent and more severe symptoms.
“Women presenting these characteristics experienced menopause-related symptoms more often and with an increased intensity compared to those without these traits,” researchers noted. This suggests a complex interplay between workplace pressures, personal health choices, and emotional well-being during this life stage.
Call for Collaborative Support
The investigators concluded that a multifaceted approach is necessary to support women navigating climacteric symptoms. They emphasize the need for increased collaboration between healthcare professionals and employers to address the unique challenges faced by full-time working women.
This research underscores the importance of proactive strategies to mitigate stress in the workplace, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and provide robust social support networks for women in midlife. The study’s findings are available in fulltext at ejog.org/article/S0301-2115(25)00307-0/fulltext.
