Association of Informal Caregiving and Menopause Symptoms in Midlife Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association between caregiving and menopause symptom burden in midlife women.

Patients and methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among women aged 45 to 60 years receiving primary care at 1 of 4 Mayo Clinic geographic locations between March 1 and June 30, 2021, who completed a survey study. Caregiving status was self-reported, and menopause symptoms were assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale. The primary outcome was moderate or worse menopause symptoms.

Results: A total of 4295 women (mean age, 54.6 years) were included, 845 (19.7%) of whom self-identified as caregivers. Among all 4295 women, 1614 (37.6%) reported moderate to very severe menopause symptoms. The proportion of women with moderate or worse menopause symptoms in at least one symptom domain increased as the number of caregiving hours increased: 92 of 270 (34.1%) in the less than 5 hours per week group, 123 of 289 (42.6%) in the 5 to 14 hours per week group, and 144 of 286 (50.4%) in the 15 or more hours per week group (P<.001). In univariate analysis, caregiving for 15 or more hours per week significantly increased the odds of having moderate or worse menopause symptoms in at least one symptom domain compared to no caregiving (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.39 to 2.26; P<.001). The association remained significant in multivariable analysis after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.78; P=.02).

Conclusion: This study identified a positive association between caregiving hours and menopause symptom burden. Given the aging US population and likely resultant increases in caregiving burden, there is a critical need to address menopause symptoms and to provide support for midlife women in caregiving roles.