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Beyond Hot Flashes: The Career Cost of Menopause

Author

Listed:
  • Abrahamsson, Sara

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH))

  • Barschkett, Mara

    (University of Bonn)

  • Flatø, Martin

    (Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH))

Abstract

Menopause marks a crucial juncture in women's lives and careers. We provide novel evidence on the effects of menopause onset on labor and health outcomes. Combining Norwegian register with survey data from the HUNT study on self-reported menopause age, we apply a stacked difference-in-differences design. Our findings show declines in earnings, increased sick leave, and more diagnoses related to menopause. Additionally, women without symptoms, and those with mild symptoms who seek care, do not experience earnings losses. Moreover, timely healthcare-seeking and treatment onset can mitigate earnings losses. This suggests that policies promoting menopause awareness could alleviate individual and societal burdens.

Suggested Citation

  • Abrahamsson, Sara & Barschkett, Mara & Flatø, Martin, 2025. "Beyond Hot Flashes: The Career Cost of Menopause," IZA Discussion Papers 17789, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17789
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    administrative health data; women's health; menopause; labor market outcomes; HUNT;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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