Support for menopausal symptoms
How the public's stories were heard in a Westminster Hall debate
On 9 June, Carolyn Harris MP led a Westminster Hall debate entitled Support for people experiencing menopausal symptoms.
In preparation for the debate, she asked about your experiences of the issue.
Over 700 members of the public responded to the survey, and several were quoted directly in the debate.
Thank you statement from Carolyn Harris MP
Contributors' stories quoted in the debate
Watch the full debate on parliamentlive.tv
You can also read the debate transcript on Hansard.
Lesley's story
"I have been peri-menopausal for many years, and have spent so much money on prescriptions – it’s unreal trying to find something that can help me (and I’m still trying!).
"I decided to sign a petition which a Facebook friend shared with me, and was then invited to fill in a survey for this debate on menopause support.
"I was very shocked but excited that my experience had been quoted in the debate by Carolyn Harris, and have told my family and friends about it!"
Lisa's story
"Having started to go through perimenopause I was looking for information on the subject and joined several menopause support groups on Facebook. Someone shared a link on one of the sites I had joined to a petition calling for improvements to menopause training and recruitment for doctors.
"After feeling unsupported by my own doctor when I initially contacted them about the menopause and also reading so many stories about the lack of knowledge that a lot of doctors have on the subject, I decided to sign the petition. Then from that I was emailed by UK Parliament asking me to complete a survey with my experiences and thoughts on the issue.
"I never expected to hear back once I'd completed the survey, so it was a shock to hear that I'd been directly quoted in the debate. I also felt proud to have been a small part of something so important and which will hopefully lead to direct action being taken to improve the lives of women going through the menopause.
"I have signed many petitions in the past but never heard anymore about them so on this occasion it was great to then be asked to complete a survey which was directly used in the Parliamentary debate. It was nice to feel like my experiences were being taken into account and I was being listened to."
The Government's response
Health Minister Nadine Dorries MP responded to the debate. She addressed the Government’s current policy agenda and future ambitions related to the menopause and women’s health.
Watch or read her full speech for details on topics including:
- The new menopause pathway improvement programme led by NHS England and NHS Improvement
- Guidance on the menopause for employers produced by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and the NHS Staff Council
- Guidance on menopause diagnosis and management published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Relevant forthcoming changes to how UK medical students are assessed before joining the medical register
- The Women's Health Strategy consultation
- Recent updates to education policy relating to how the menopause is taught in schools.
Your feedback
If you contributed to this exercise, please give us feedback about your experience on this two-question survey:
“My sincere thanks to all of you who took the time to contribute to this exercise. Your stories have really helped to bring to light many of the issues which I wish to address during the debate.
“Do tune in – links to watch the debate and read the transcript will be published on this page. Thanks again!”
Introducing the debate, she gave the following statement:
"Whilst all women will experience the menopause, every woman’s experience will be different. Some will barely notice any symptoms, but for others the suffering can be unbearable – stressful, debilitating and completely life-changing.
"Support for women who are suffering is key, yet sadly lacking in many areas and so I am calling on those who know best to provide information on what more needs to be done.
"Be it fully funded treatment, better diagnosis, public health education or workplace support – what would make menopause more manageable for those who are suffering?
"I will use the evidence in a Westminster Hall on 9 June in which cross-party MPs will discuss support for women experiencing menopausal symptoms."
What is a Westminster Hall Debate?
Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.
Due to COVID-19 measures, Westminster Hall debates are taking place in hybrid form in a designated committee room. MPs are able to take part virtually or in person.
How Parliament works: Westminster Hall debates.
How your experiences are shared
In these exercises, members of the public who have signed relevant petitions are invited to share their experiences.
Their contributions are passed on to the MP leading the debate, who may refer to them directly in their speeches.
Find other petitions on the Petitions website, or see more examples of public contributions being used in debates below:
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