Menopause Is Having a Moment in Washington — and It’s About Time

by Kathryn Schubert

Hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, memory lapses: these aren’t just personal nuisances. They’re common symptoms of menopause, affecting millions of women, and yet they’ve rarely been talked about, let alone in policy circles. That is, until recently. In fact, menopause is one of the few areas these days that enjoys strong bipartisan support from Congress.

For decades, menopause has been pushed to the margins of public discourse, often dismissed as a private issue not to be discussed outside the confines of close confidants and an issue relegated to “old people.” As a result, women in midlife have often been rendered invisible, and their lived experiences in the menopause transition have been overlooked.

But that’s changing. Menopause is a natural life stage that all women will undergo at some point in time, and around 1.3 million women in the United States transition into menopause each year.

The Health System Has Failed Women in Midlife

Menopause is defined by the National Institute on Aging as the “point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period.” This period of time is characterized by varying hormone levels and is accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, sleep problems, cardiovascular risks (including an increased risk of heart disease), mood changes, changes in libido, and — perhaps the most commonly known symptom — hot flashes.

However, even though 75 million American women are currently in perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, clinical confusion and a lack of research around this natural life stage persist, and the U.S. health care system remains remarkably unprepared to support patients.

For example, the majority of U.S.-based residency programs for obstetric-gynecologists, the medical providers who specialize in women’s reproductive health, lack a dedicated menopause curriculum. Such gaps in training lead to corresponding gaps in care. Without proper, evidence-based training, those providers who should be trusted by patients to help them navigate the menopause transition and the hormonal, physiological, and mental changes that come with it are not as well suited as they could (and should) be to offer the care that all women deserve. This has trickle-down effects for patients; according to a recent AARP report, 32% of women report lacking knowledge about menopause, and only half of women surveyed in perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause have consulted a health professional.

A Mayo Clinic study estimates that lost workdays due to menopause symptoms cost the U.S. economy $1.8 billion annually.

Stigma and misinformation — or rather, a lack of information — can affect how women seek or receive care. For example, hormone therapy, once widely prescribed, remains misunderstood and stigmatized in both public discourse and among clinicians, in large part due to outdated warning labels and historical and uncorrected missteps in research design. We are frequently asking women to navigate one of the most transformative stages of their lives with minimal medical support and education.

Workplace as a Hidden Barrier to Women’s Success

Menopause isn’t just a health issue — it’s a workforce issue and an economic issue. Over 75% of women during the menopause transition years (ages 45-54) participate in the labor workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet in many American workplaces, menopause remains a taboo topic. Only 31% of women feel comfortable discussing their symptoms or needs at work, according to the Employee Perspectives and Challenges Concerning the Transition of Menopause (EMPACT Menopause) Study that the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) conducted in 2023. Even more striking from the results is that two in five women have considered switching jobs — or already have — because of their menopause experience.

Without proper support in the workplace, symptoms can take a real toll on job performance, ultimately undermining women’s workplace productivity, career advancement, and long-term earning potential. A Mayo Clinic study estimates that lost workdays due to menopause symptoms cost the U.S. economy $1.8 billion annually. This doesn’t account for lost institutional knowledge, stalled leadership pipelines, or the economic ripple effects on families and communities.

But this does not have to be the case. As awareness builds, so does the pressure for policymakers and employers to address the realities of menopause. Training managers and human resource professionals to understand menopause and respond with empathy and flexibility, addressing gender and age bias in employment practices, strengthening legal protections against menopause-related discrimination, and offering practical accommodations such as flexible schedules for those experiencing acute symptoms are impactful places to start.

Bipartisan Momentum in Washington

In recent years, menopause has also finally caught the attention of Capitol Hill, where a growing number of lawmakers in both chambers are beginning to treat this natural health transition as the authentic public health issue it is. There is clear bipartisan and bicameral support coalescing around this long-overlooked life stage, and that momentum is translating into action.

In addition to a series of bipartisan bills introduced in the 118th Congress, the Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act, which calls for a comprehensive review of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services related to menopause care, including education, outreach, and care initiatives, was recently reintroduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Julia Brownley (D-CA), in the House. Similarly, the bipartisan, bicameral Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act, sponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) in the Senate and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK) in the House, was also reintroduced in the 119th Congress.

Taken together, these bills send a powerful message: Menopause is a national concern and worthy of attention. Yet the introduction of legislation alone is not enough. Without being shepherded through committees, debated, and ultimately passed, these bills lack the true power to improve women’s lives.

Succeeding in the legislative process requires continued attention, advocacy, and political will — and the money to back it. Between 2013 and 2023, the National Institute of Health spent just under 9% of its budget on women’s health research. Of that, less than 1% of the funding was funneled toward menopause research. If we are serious about addressing the needs of women in midlife, lawmakers must pass legislation that improves the quality of life and care for women undergoing menopause and adequately invest in menopause research.

Spotlighting Women in Midlife

Women in midlife are making their experiences known, and it’s time for lawmakers, employers, and us all to not only listen but to act. Together, we can build on this momentum and recognize menopause not as a condition to be sidelined but as a natural life stage with the potential to be embraced and prepared for. It takes all of us, and now we look to Congress to ensure this conversation continues, not just now but as a year-round legislative and funding priority that truly reflects the needs of American women.

Kathryn Schubert, MPP, CAE, is president and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research and previously served as chief advocacy officer at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).