Caregiving has previously been linked with negative health effects, including a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and heart disease. Now, new research shows that the severity of your menopause symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats, may be linked to how many hours per week you provide care to a loved one.
The soon-to-be-published research, presented at the Menopause Society Conference in Philadelphia on Sept. 28, found that caregiving for 15 or more hours a week—often for both an older parent or spouse and younger children— significantly increases the odds of having more intense physical, psychological, or urogenital symptoms (such as burning and irritation) compared with non-caregivers.
