World Menopause Month

Harris discusses the widespread impact of menopause on women's health, noting that around 13 million UK women are affected. She highlights the need for better education, medical training, and workplace support. Her private Member’s Bill aims to remove prescription charges for hormone replacement therapy and improve public understanding of menopause symptoms.

Wragg supports Harris's campaign and asks how men can be more supportive regarding the menopause, urging it not to remain a taboo subject.

It is a pleasure to contribute to this debate on menopause awareness. The Women and Equalities Committee has launched an inquiry into the impact of menopause in the workplace, collecting evidence from various sources. There is significant concern about the loss of experienced women due to menopausal symptoms, with over 50% worried about additional responsibilities and 25% considering leaving their careers entirely. This equates to a million women potentially being lost from the workforce. The stigma around discussing menopause needs to be addressed; anonymous submissions highlight fears about career repercussions. Companies like Timpson, John Lewis, Tesco, PwC are leading in providing support for menopausal employees. An individual champion, Claire Hattrick, runs a blog offering advice and is promoting awareness through her book.

Cummins emphasises the critical link between menopause and osteoporosis, noting that women lose up to 20% of their bone density in the years following the menopause. She mentions a recent survey from the Royal Osteoporosis Society highlighting the impact of osteoporosis on daily life, including long-term pain and disability. Cummins urges the Government to consider recommendations in the ROS report and manifesto to support women during this critical period.

Dowd supports Cummins' call for action on osteoporosis, endorsing the Royal Osteoporosis Society's four actions including the expansion of fracture liaison services. He notes that these recommendations are not excessive given the 3.5 million people affected by osteoporosis.

Called for a continuous conversation on women’s health issues, emphasised the importance of information access and empowerment through HRT. Highlighted personal experience and advocated for NICE guidelines to be followed by GPs.

Complimented Nickie Aiken's speech, highlighted similar experiences, and mentioned the Welsh Labour Government’s policy on HRT prescriptions without charge.

Supported calls for awareness raising and changes in workplace attitudes towards menopause. Emphasised the need for menopause policies in workplaces, particularly large organisations, to ensure support and flexibility for women experiencing symptoms.

I congratulate Carolyn Harris on securing this debate, noting the importance of discussing women's health issues. I highlight difficulties in accessing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially for those with a family history of breast cancer, due to misinformation among GPs and outdated research. I praise the Government’s women’s health strategy, led by my right hon. Friend Maria Caulfield (Mid Bedfordshire) who has worked on this strategy. I emphasise that biological sex is relevant in discussing menopause's effects on women.

I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting time to discuss this important issue and commend Carolyn Harris and Caroline Nokes for their advocacy. I share personal experiences of medically induced menopause during fertility treatment, which led to severe symptoms like hot flushes, headaches, fatigue, and concentration issues. I highlight that about one in 100 women in the UK experience early onset menopausal symptoms before age 40, affecting a significant proportion of the population at work. I support Unison's menopause-awareness campaign and praise initiatives by companies like Timpson Group and ASOS to provide HRT prescription expenses coverage and flexible working policies for staff experiencing perimenopause or menopause.

Mrs Webb shared her personal experience with the menopause, discussing various symptoms such as migraines, insomnia, anxiety, aching joints, confidence dips, brain fog, tiredness, flushes, irritation, and tears. She pointed out that women often have to defend themselves when discussing these issues due to societal taboos and judgments. Mrs Webb also mentioned bone density loss and the importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for some individuals. She advocated for better education on menopause in schools and workplaces to normalise hormones, support women experiencing symptoms, and provide practical solutions.

Mrs Nokes intervened to emphasise that different types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) work differently for individuals. She also highlighted the issue of prescription costs for people who have to try several versions of HRT.

Mr. Shannon commended the hon. Member for Swansea East on her contribution and highlighted the importance of bringing menopause issues into mainstream life. He emphasised that although he lacks personal experience, he can offer compassion and support. He shared his experiences with his wife Sandra and acknowledged the impact of osteoporosis and other health conditions associated with menopause. Mr. Shannon called for more understanding and involvement from men in supporting their partners during this period.

Ms. Fellows noted the historical lack of discussion around menopause and expressed appreciation for the current debate. She highlighted initiatives by the Scottish Government, including a women’s health plan, training programmes for healthcare providers, and campaigns to raise awareness about menopausal symptoms. Ms. Fellows also emphasised the need for support in the workplace and called on the UK Government to introduce legislation addressing workplace inequality. She underlined the importance of understanding and accommodating menopausal symptoms to retain valuable female employees.

We have heard a heady mix of humour and heartfelt tributes today, but it is a daunting space to navigate. As a woman who has not yet entered the menopausal phase of her life, but who has been through starting a period, worrying about having children, having children and understanding her body, after today’s debate I feel less anxious than ever about a topic that many women find extremely worrying to talk about. We have celebrities to thank for raising awareness. How many of us have never had those much-needed conversations with our families? For how many of us is it too taboo to even start discussing our periods, let alone have conversations about the menopause? It is damaging to our society that far too many women simply do not know what to look out for. More and more women are learning about the menopause from celebrity accounts. There is still far too much mystery around our bodies, despite making up 51% of the population, and that simply has to change.

It is important that we recognise GPs’ essential work and pay due thanks for it, but it is also important to address the lack of understanding that some GPs demonstrate. I have heard accounts of GPs refusing to diagnose women as menopausal, resulting in a frustratingly long drawn-out process that has led far too many women to give up and suffer in silence.

Women who experience mood changes during menopause are often not taken seriously. The symptoms of mental ill health are often condescendingly brushed aside as simple mood swings or unnecessary aggression as a result of the menopause. The reinforcement of women as hysterical or highly emotional is incredibly damaging. No wonder some women feel they are unable to reach out for support. So many hon. Members have mentioned, so importantly, the workplace, and for so many women, support simply is not available.

Emphasises the impact of talking about the menopause issue in Parliament on those watching; mentions global interest from legislators, press, medical professionals, and academics to learn from UK's approach; highlights prominent women sharing their stories and supporting the cause.

Congratulates all participants for taking part in the debate; acknowledges Sir David Amess’s involvement if he were alive.