Impact of vasomotor symptoms on women in the workplace: Results from a non-interventional survey in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Vasomotor symptoms are experienced by up to 80% of postmenopausal women. Women were surveyed to evaluate the impact of vasomotor symptoms in the workplace, support from employers/colleagues, and perceptions of workplace accommodations. STUDY DESIGN: Participants aged 40-65 years were recruited from Dynata panels for an electronic survey. Women were experiencing vasomotor symptoms for ≥1 month with ≥2 hot flash/night sweat episodes per day in the preceding 2 weeks and were currently employed or had stopped working/retired within the last year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic characteristics and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment. RESULTS: Respondents (N = 1011) were mostly White (72.9%), with a mean (standard deviation) age 49.6 (6.4) years, reporting a mean of 7.5 (11.1) hot flashes or night sweats per day in the preceding 2 weeks. The majority (81.3%) had never received treatment. Activity impairment, absenteeism, and presenteeism were reported by 36%, 6%, and 32%, respectively, and increased with increasing vasomotor symptom severity. Almost 80% of respondents had not discussed vasomotor symptoms with their employer; only 18.1% indicated employer support for vasomotor symptoms. Top coping mechanisms at work were temperature control (71.0%) and wearing layered, breathable clothing (46.0%). Respondents suggested some work accommodations for vasomotor symptoms: changes to benefit packages (27.9%), creating more workplace awareness (25.7%), and more flexible working arrangements (23.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite demonstrable adverse effects of vasomotor symptoms on United States women in the workplace, treatment rates were very low. Enhanced awareness regarding treatment options alongside potential workplace accommodations may improve work productivity, employee satisfaction, and retention.