Letlow resolution raises awareness about menopause

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) introduced a bipartisan resolution that would recognize October as World Menopause Month in an effort to raise global awareness about the condition that affects millions of women and their need for access to health care.

“Awareness is an essential agent for the future of women’s healthcare decisions. Oftentimes, very little guidance is available to women who experience menopause symptoms,” Rep. Letlow said. 

Rep. Letlow introduced H. Res. 806 on Oct. 24 along with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). The resolution would also mark Oct. 18 as World Menopause Day. The measure calls for supporting training on menopause for health workers and for increasing access to health information and services that promote healthy aging before, during, and after menopause. In addition, the resolution encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct research on menopause and treatment options with the goal of improving the quality of life for women affected by menopause.

“I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Rochester to improve awareness, so when women experience menopause, they have a much better understanding of what healthcare options and treatments are available to them,” Rep. Letlow said. 

Rep. Blunt Rochester noted that millions of women move through a phase of life that can be challenging, especially without the information or support they need.

“We know that women can experience the symptoms of menopause for as long as a decade – and that those symptoms can drive women out of the workforce and severely impact their quality of life,” Rep. Blunt Rochester said. “We must continue to raise awareness and ensure that women have the resources they need so that no one suffers in silence.”