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Addressing Menopause as a Shared Business Concern: TRULY and NTT East's Impactful Seminar

In a significant move towards improving workplace wellness, TRULY Inc., a pioneer in femtech focusing on menopause and pre-menopause care since 2019, has partnered with NTT East Japan to tackle the often overlooked health issues faced by men, specifically the phenomenon of male menopause. This initiative is part of NTT East's Wellness Lounge, designed to enhance the life performance of its employees.

Recently, the two organizations co-hosted a seminar aimed specifically at raising awareness of male menopause among NTT East employees. Post-event surveys revealed that 64.6% of participants were male employees, and an impressive 80.9% of these attendees expressed satisfaction with the seminar. This feedback underscores the pressing need for organizational support for a segment of the workforce that has often felt compelled to endure symptoms of aging alone.

The Hidden Economic Cost of Male Menopause

In Japan, approximately 6 million men are estimated to potentially suffer from male menopause (also known as LOH syndrome). Unfortunately, societal stigma and the perception that menopause is predominantly a female issue have contributed to a reluctance among men to seek medical advice. Consequently, these individuals often go untreated, which has far-reaching implications. According to calculations by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry for 2024, the economic loss attributed to male-specific health concerns, including those arising from menopause, could reach 1.2 trillion yen annually. This is particularly alarming given that men in their 40s and 50s, who occupy crucial decision-making positions in organizations, risk experiencing sharp declines in performance or even lengthy absences from work.

Despite the severe implications of ignoring these issues, they continue to be trivialized as mere personal discomfort or age-related laziness. This creates a critical business risk that organizations must recognize and address. Through the seminar hosted at NTT East, TRULY aimed to mitigate these underlying risks and foster a workplace culture that prioritizes psychological safety and well-being.

Insights from Attendees: A Shift in Perspective

Feedback gathered from the seminar painted a more nuanced picture of how male employees perceive their health concerns, as well as the impact of the seminar itself. Three primary shifts in awareness emerged from the responses:

1. From Acceptance to Ownership: Many participants indicated a change from viewing their health issues as inevitable aspects of aging to recognizing them as personal challenges requiring attention. One attendee noted, “After attending the seminar, I realized that what I thought were age-related issues could be recognized as part of my own situation.” This insight marks a critical turning point for many men who struggle to identify their symptoms.

2. The Challenge of Seeking Help: Responses reflected a common struggle among men to discuss their specific health concerns, both in the workplace and at home. Many voiced gratitude for the company’s decision to handle this topic officially, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where discussions around such issues are normalized. One participant expressed, “This event has lowered the psychological barriers I faced when considering these topics.”

3. Desire for Action: A notable percentage of attendees expressed a willingness to take proactive steps following the seminar. Responses included intentions to consult specialized healthcare providers or begin conversations with family about their health. This indicates a shift towards a more proactive and informed approach to personal wellness that many had previously resisted.

Expanding Men’s Menopause Services

Following the seminar and the critical feedback received, TRULY is planning to expand its services and solutions aimed at addressing the nuances of male menopause. Leveraging its experience in supporting female menopause, TRULY commits to developing initiatives that approach menopause-related health issues from a gender-inclusive perspective. Emphasis will be placed on providing training and resources specifically tailored for management roles to help individuals recognize and support their own and their team’s health signs effectively.

TRULY envisions a future where everyone can confront the challenges of menopause without despair, viewing their transitions as opportunities for positive change and continued personal fulfillment in their professional lives.

About TRULY

Established in November 2019, TRULY is dedicated to addressing the various health challenges faced by adults, providing services that engage with issues around menopause, hormonal changes, and relationships. Their objective is to foster a society where individuals can understand and relate to one another’s experiences concerning health changes, thereby cultivating a supportive environment for everyone. For more information about TRULY and their initiatives, visit their official website.