An exploration of women's occupational participation and identity during menopause: Descriptive qualitative study.
Róise Daly, Sinéad M Hynes
PMID 40336874WHAT IT FOUND
Five perimenopausal women described how not recognising their symptoms as menopause caused distress and job loss.
They reported losing their 'mojo' for hobbies and work, straining family roles. Two women adapted by changing careers. This describes lived experience, not treatment efficacy.
Key findings
01All five participants were perimenopausal women receiving hormone-replacement therapy (HRT).
02Women reported that physical symptoms like exhaustion and pain, along with brain fog, disrupted their ability to engage in valued leisure occupations like exercise and work.
03Uncertainty about the cause of their symptoms led to mental health struggles and invalidation by doctors, who attributed changes to anxiety or depression.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was very small (five women). All participants were perimenopausal and on HRT, so findings do not apply to women in other stages or without treatment. Participants were White Irish, limiting cultural transferability. Recruitment via support groups may have selected for women with more difficult experiences.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest and no financial support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that occupational therapy interventions improve menopause outcomes. This study describes the lived experience of five women and does not test any treatment or intervention.