Workplace-Integrated Brief Health Behavior Counseling for Menopausal Symptoms and Work Productivity: A Prospective Study in Perimenopausal Employees.

OBJECTIVE

Menopause-related symptoms are an important occupational health concern; however, despite experiencing such symptoms, many women delay seeking medical attention due to work-related demands or other reasons. We evaluated the effects of the gynecologist-delivered brief health behavior counseling approach on menopausal symptoms and work productivity among untreated perimenopausal working women.

METHODS

In this prospective interventional study, 55 perimenopausal employees with menopausal symptoms completed baseline questionnaires and received a gynecologist-delivered counseling session. Follow-up assessments were conducted 1 month later. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI), and work productivity was evaluated using the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (WHO-HPQ). Outcomes were analyzed both overall and according to baseline symptom severity (SMI <51 vs. ≥51).

RESULTS

Total SMI scores showed an overall trend toward improvement after the intervention, with significant reductions observed among participants with baseline SMI ≥51. Improvements in WHO-HPQ absolute presenteeism scores were also observed. Baseline SMI and WHO-HPQ scores were not significantly correlated. Changes in menopausal symptoms were positively associated with changes in work productivity. No significant differences were observed between in-person and web-based counseling delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Gynecologist-delivered brief health behavior counseling improved menopausal symptoms and work productivity among untreated symptomatic perimenopausal working women. Introducing such a gynecologist-led intervention into workplace-based menopause care may help prevent women from leaving the workforce due to menopausal symptoms.