What has the Welsh Government done to increase awareness of menopause-related illness in Wales?
Awareness of menstrual health, including menopause, is being raised through education at school age. Growing up has a critical impact on learners’ health and well-being, and within the new Curriculum for Wales framework, teachers will be able to focus on a wide range of health and well-being topics. Learning about menstrual well-being and conditions which can affect the reproductive system is mandatory within the Relationships and Sexuality education Code, and this includes learning about where to get further information and support.
In 2022/23, 432,173 prescriptions for Hormone Replacement Therapy were dispensed, an increase of 57.5 % on 2021/22 and an increase of 156% in the last five years, suggesting that awareness of the support available for treatment of menopause has increased.
In 2022 Welsh Government with support from the multidisciplinary Welsh National Specialist Advisory Group for women’s health and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Welsh Executive committee established the All-Wales Menopause Task and Finish Group. Enhancing public awareness of the menopause was one of 11 recommendations included in their report published last year. Those recommendations are being considered by the Women’s Health Network as they develop the Women’s Health plan for Wales. Progress on raising awareness has already been made and I am committed to ensuring that more work is done.