Hormone Therapy May Help Women with Surgical Menopause Stay in Work Longer, Study Finds

Recent research indicates that women who undergo surgical menopause—the removal of ovaries—may face a higher likelihood of leaving the workforce earlier than women who experience natural menopause. Early menopause, whether natural before 45 or surgical, is linked to increased health risks, including cardiovascular problems, osteoporosis, and intensified menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and depressive symptoms. These health issues can significantly impact women’s quality of life and ability to maintain employment.

A comprehensive study involving nearly 1,400 women analyzed how different menopause types influence career trajectories over a 10-year span, considering the role of hormone therapy as a mediating factor. The researchers employed employment history analysis to identify three distinct employment patterns and used regression models to examine how menopause timing and type affect workforce participation.

Findings revealed that women experiencing early natural menopause tend to have less flexibility in their work arrangements during this period, although they are not more likely to exit the workforce prematurely compared to women with later menopause. Conversely, those who underwent surgical menopause, especially women aged 45 or older at the time of surgery, were at a heightened risk of leaving their jobs earlier. Importantly, hormone therapy during the early postmenopause years was associated with a reduced risk of workforce exit for women with both early natural and surgical menopause.

The study emphasizes the importance of targeted workplace policies that recognize the diverse menopause experiences women go through. Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director at The Menopause Society, states that hormone therapy could be a valuable intervention to support women in maintaining their employment during and after menopause. Overall, these findings suggest that appropriate treatment and workplace accommodations could help mitigate the career impacts associated with early and surgical menopause.

Source: [https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-women-surgical-menopause-exit-workforce.html]