Control, Demands, and Recovery: Women’s Experiences of Work-Related Stress During Menopause : A Qualitative Study of Menopause and Occupational Stress

Menopause often coincides with a period in life when work demands are high, while bodily and psychological changes may affect wellbeing and work ability. The aim of the study was to explore how women experience workrelated stress in relation to menopause and which strategies may facilitate coping. The study was conducted using a qualitative approach in which semistructured interviews with eight women undergoing menopause were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The results show that menopauserelated symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, hot flushes, and cognitive difficulties affect stress levels and work ability, particularly in work environments characterised by high workload and limited opportunities for recovery. The findings also indicate that stress does not stem from menopause per se, but emerges through the interaction between bodily changes, workrelated demands, and organisational conditions. This stress is further linked to a shift in professional identity, where a reduced sense of control and competence contributes to an existentially coloured form of stress.