Women, work, and menopause.

EDITORIAL Women, work, and menopause T he subject of the impact of menopause symptoms and related diseases on women's work warrants professional attention. In this editorial, I will briefly describe the meaning and significance of women's work at the start of the 21st century. The discussion then turns to the study of the effects of menopause symptoms on Bwork ability[ that is published in this issue. The study is notable because it evaluates the impact of menopause on a woman's capacity to functionVin this case, in the workplace. Afterward, I describe the impact of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) reports on the use of hormone therapy (HT) for menopause symptoms and disease prevention. I express concern that failure to use HT when indicated affects work ability and absence from work due to sickness, an issue that will gain importance as the century progresses. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WOMEN'S WORK IN THE 21st CENTURY In today's economy, the earnings from women's work have become a necessity. 1 Recent data show that 60% or more of women in Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States participate in the labor force. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 68 million women, making up half the total workforce, work either full or part time. 2 Most women are actively engaged in work activities outside the home when they reach age 51 years (the average age of menopause). Even after age 51 years, millions of women continue to work, and their numbers are expected to increase during the next decade. US Bureau of Labor Statistics projections indicate that more than 2,000,000 women aged 65 to 74 years will be working in 2018. Between 2008 and 2018, this age cohort will have a greater increase than any other. 2 The importance of women's work should not be underestimated. Women account for 51% of all workers in high-paying management and professional and related occupations: 91.1% of registered nurses, 81.8% of elementary and middle school teachers, 80.8% of social workers, 78.8% of meeting and convention planners, and 71.1% of tax preparers are women. In addition, 66.1% of tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents are women. 2 Going to work for most women correlates with enhanced self-esteem, better health, and less psychological stress. 3<5 Clearly, work should be considered a major factor contributing to quality of life, especially during the midlife years. The artist Kathe Kollwitz expressed this …