House of Commons · Westminster Hall
09 June 2021 · 8 other contributors · 8,984 words
Opened by Carolyn Harris Lab Neath and Swansea East
Responding minister: Nadine Dorries
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Carolyn Harris raised concerns about menopausal symptoms: support in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The lead MP asks the government to improve public education on menopause, mandate training for medical professionals in menopause diagnosis and treatment, provide free hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions to alleviate financial barriers, and implement mandatory workplace policies supporting women during the menopausal transition. The survey responses also highlighted the need for flexible working hours and relaxed uniform policies.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Approximately 13 million UK residents are either perimenopausal or post-menopausal, yet only about 59% of UK universities include menopause education in their curriculum. This lack of training means that women often face misdiagnosis and inadequate support from GPs. For instance, some GP responses to menopausal symptoms include simply handing out leaflets without further support, leading to women suffering unnecessarily from symptoms like hot flushes and forgetfulness.
The MP expressed gratitude towards the debate's instigator and highlighted the need for better government support, education, and removal of stigma regarding menopause. She shared her personal experience with induced early menopause through IVF and stressed that nearly 8 out of 10 women experiencing menopausal symptoms are still in work.
Charlotte Nichols highlighted the importance of normalising menopause and accommodating symptoms experienced by women. She pointed out that around 5.1 million UK women aged between 45 and 55 are affected by menopause, with black, Asian and minority ethnic women disproportionately at risk for health issues like heart disease and diabetes. Nichols called on the Government to address these disparities and improve support for disabled and LGBT individuals experiencing menopause.
Supporting the debate, Jim Shannon highlighted his personal experience of supporting his wife through menopause and emphasized the need for greater understanding and conversation around menopausal symptoms. He noted the limited number of specialists in Northern Ireland and called for dedicated clinics with adequate funding to address women's health needs during this period.
Ms. Cummins highlighted the link between menopause and osteoporosis, emphasizing that women lose up to 20% of their bone density during menopause, leading to a higher risk of fractures and long-term pain. She called for GP surgeries to be incentivised to use digital tools to assess fracture risk as recommended by NICE guidelines.
Ms Oswald thanked the hon. Member for Swansea East for securing the debate and highlighted that discussions about menopause have been undervalued, advocating for a more open dialogue to address women's health issues. She praised Scotland as the first country with free period products and urged similar transparency regarding menopause symptoms and treatments. She mentioned her local council's efforts to support employees during menopause, stressing the importance of such initiatives in retaining talent and promoting fair work practices. Ms Oswald also emphasised the complexity of menopausal experiences and the need for workplace policies that accommodate this variability, while recognising that free prescriptions in Scotland alleviate some financial burdens faced by women elsewhere.
Reminded hon. Members about changes to normal practice for hybrid arrangements, including arrival and participation requirements, and highlighted the need for mask-wearing in Westminster Hall.
She expressed the lack of awareness and understanding surrounding menopause, highlighting personal experiences and those of her constituents. She mentioned Elizabeth Ellis's campaign 'Know Your Menopause' and encouraged people to use resources like Pausitivity posters for information and support. Duffield stressed the need for consistent GP advice and fully funded HRT treatment.
The MP criticised the lack of knowledge and communication surrounding menopause, noting its impact on mental health. She advocated for practical workplace solutions such as temperature control and urged the Minister to consider policies that have been implemented in Wales.
Government Response
Nadine DorriesI thank the hon. Member for Swansea East (Carolyn Harris) for securing this debate and express my support for her work on women's health issues, especially regarding the menopause. I highlight that there have been over 100,000 responses to the call for evidence for the women's health strategy, which closes on June 13th, urging more women to contribute their experiences. I acknowledge the historical and ingrained taboos around discussing women's health issues, particularly the menopause. Many perimenopausal and post-menopausal women face challenges in receiving adequate healthcare support. For instance, women often receive multiple prescriptions for antidepressants before getting a prescription for HRT despite their need for oestrogen. I discuss osteoporosis as a significant issue, noting that women are more susceptible to this condition due to bone loss and the reduction of oestrogen levels post-menopause. I mention mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety linked to menopausal symptoms, underlining the importance of doctors considering HRT as an option. I address employment issues, emphasizing that many women want HRT rather than employer-led facilitation like fans on desks or desk relocation. The effectiveness of HRT in alleviating symptoms is highlighted, noting its role in delaying dementia onset and managing osteoporosis risks. Regarding education, I stress the importance of teaching about reproductive health, menstrual health, fertility, and menopause in schools to break down taboos. I also emphasize the need for adequate medical training, with new doctors required to understand menopause physiology from 2024 onwards. I introduce a new NHS England and NHS Improvement programme focusing on developing evidence-based care pathways for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. The programme aims to increase clinician education and support workforce retention, particularly for female nurses aged 50-plus. In conclusion, I reiterate my commitment to improving the support available to women during the menopause, acknowledging that progress is needed but recognizing steps taken so far.