Ménopause : la fin des règles et du tabou • FRANCE 24

FRANCE 24

27 Sept 202414:54

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the impact of menopause on women by 2030, affecting over 1 billion women aged 50 and above. It addresses the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding menopause, its symptoms, and the challenges it poses to women's work and health. The UK's legal responsibility for companies to support menopausal women at work is highlighted. The video also touches on societal implications, including increased divorce and suicide rates, and the potential economic cost. The importance of understanding and managing menopause symptoms is emphasized, along with the role of applications like Omena in providing support and information.

Takeaways

🌐 By 2030, 1.2 billion women will have passed the age of 50 and will experience menopause, which is marked by the end of ovulation and menstruation.
🏥 The UK has started to address menopause legally, requiring companies to support women of mature age in the workplace.
🚺 The stigma around menopause is slowly being broken, with discussions beginning to take place in economic, political, and health spheres.
💊 Menopausal symptoms can be debilitating and are often misunderstood, leading to feelings of confusion and emotional distress.
🏢 British legislation now considers menopause symptoms as a disability, making employers legally responsible for the well-being of their employees.
💼 Employers are implementing measures such as flexible hours and air conditioning to support employees experiencing menopause.
💹 Menopause costs the British economy 14 million workdays annually, with one in ten women leaving their jobs due to severe symptoms.
🌍 Internationally, there is a call to action to combat the ignorance and stereotypes surrounding menopause.
👵 Historically, post-reproductive women played a crucial role in society, sharing knowledge and contributing to economic productivity.
📱 The Omena application is designed to support women during menopause, helping them manage symptoms and continue their careers.
💰 Failure to address menopause can lead to significant economic losses, with estimates suggesting a potential global saving of $130 billion per year if managed effectively.

Q & A

What is the significance of the year 2030 in relation to menopause?
-By the year 2030, it is estimated that 1.2 billion women will have surpassed the age of 50 and will be experiencing menopause.
What is the stigma associated with menopause?
-Menopause is often stigmatized as a shameful sign of aging and is considered a taboo subject that is just beginning to be discussed in economic, political, or health conversations.
What is the legal responsibility of companies in the UK regarding menopause?
-In the UK, companies now have a legal responsibility to support women of mature age in the workplace, including addressing the challenges of menopause.
How has menopause affected Tracy's life?
-Tracy became increasingly anxious and depressed due to menopause, which she was not aware of. She experienced significant life changes, including a loss of interest in food and music, and felt emotionally detached from her family.
What is the impact of menopause on employment in the UK?
-Menopause can cost the British economy 14 million workdays per year, with one in ten women being forced to quit their jobs due to severe symptoms.
What measures has Tracy's employer implemented to support her?
-Tracy's employer has implemented flexible working hours, air conditioning, and regular individual meetings to support her well-being at work.
What broader societal impacts does menopause have according to Caroline Harris?
-Menopause affects not only women but society as a whole, leading to increased divorce rates, suicides, domestic violence, and some women turning to drugs, alcohol, or online gambling.
What is the role of postmenopausal women in society as per the script?
-Postmenopausal women have traditionally played a significant role in society, particularly in terms of their economic and social contributions, such as passing on knowledge to younger generations.
What is the purpose of the 'omena' application mentioned in the script?
-The 'omena' application aims to support women experiencing the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, which can sometimes have serious consequences on their careers.
What are the health consequences of menopause that are not commonly discussed?
-Menopause can have long-term health consequences such as cardiovascular issues and increased risk of osteoporosis due to hormonal changes.
What are the misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy mentioned in the script?
-There is a misconception that hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of breast cancer, which has been largely debunked by studies showing that natural hormone treatments do not carry such risks.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Menopause in 2030: A Global Phenomenon

The script addresses the upcoming surge in the number of women experiencing menopause by 2030, with 1.2 billion women over 50 years old. It highlights the physical and emotional challenges associated with menopause, such as changes in food preferences and emotional sensitivity, which are sometimes debilitating and carry a social stigma. The conversation emphasizes the need to break this taboo and discusses the economic, political, and health implications of menopause. The United Kingdom is showcased as a leader in addressing this issue by legally requiring companies to support older women in the workplace. The narrative includes personal accounts of women struggling with menopause symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, and the lack of information provided to women undergoing hysterectomy, which can lead to severe handicaps.

05:01

🏛️ UK's Legal Approach to Menopause Support

This section discusses the UK's proactive legislative measures to support women experiencing menopause in the workplace. It emphasizes the importance of flexible working hours, air conditioning, and regular individual meetings to ensure employee well-being. The economic impact of menopause is highlighted, with 14 million workdays lost annually in the UK due to severe symptoms, and the societal consequences, including increased divorce rates, suicides, domestic violence, and women turning to substance abuse or gambling. The script also touches on the role of post-reproductive women in society, drawing parallels to their historical contributions to knowledge transfer and economic productivity, and the importance of listening to 'wise' menopausal women in decision-making processes.

10:02

💼 The Economic and Health Impact of Menopause

The final paragraph delves into the economic and health implications of menopause. It discusses the potential annual savings of $130 billion if proper attention is given to menopause and endometriosis. The script addresses common misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy and its alleged link to breast cancer, explaining how studies have shown that natural hormone treatments do not increase the risk of breast cancer. The importance of addressing menopause to prevent long-term health issues, such as cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis, is emphasized. Additionally, the paragraph touches on the impact of menopause on women's quality of life, including sexual health, and the need for political will to address these issues through education, workplace policies, and public awareness campaigns.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Menopause

Menopause is the natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility, typically occurring after the age of 50. It is characterized by the cessation of ovulation and menstruation. In the video, menopause is discussed as a significant life event that can come with debilitating symptoms and is often stigmatized, which is a central theme of the discussion.

💡Symptoms

Symptoms in the context of menopause refer to the physical and emotional changes that a woman may experience, such as hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings. The script mentions that these symptoms can sometimes be disabling and are a significant focus of the video as they impact women's quality of life and work.

💡Stigma

Stigma in the video refers to the social disgrace or negative stereotypes associated with menopause and aging. The discussion points out that menopause is often surrounded by a stigma that needs to be addressed to improve societal understanding and support for women going through this phase.

💡UK Legislation

The UK Legislation mentioned in the script refers to the legal responsibilities placed on companies in the United Kingdom to support women of mature age in the workforce, particularly in relation to menopause. This is an example of how the video discusses the need for societal and legislative changes to better accommodate women's health needs.

💡Workplace Support

Workplace support in the script refers to the actions and accommodations that employers can provide to help women experiencing menopause symptoms. This includes flexible working hours and air-conditioned environments, which are mentioned as examples of how companies can support their female employees.

💡Economic Impact

Economic impact in the video refers to the financial consequences that menopause can have on the economy, such as lost workdays and women being forced to leave their jobs due to severe symptoms. The script cites that menopause costs the British economy 14 million workdays per year, highlighting the scale of the issue.

💡Treatment

Treatment in the context of the video pertains to both medical interventions and workplace accommodations for managing menopause symptoms. The script discusses the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment, including hormone replacement therapy, which has been a subject of controversy.

💡Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT is a medical treatment that involves giving hormones to women after menopause to help manage symptoms. The script addresses misconceptions about HRT, such as increased risk of breast cancer, and clarifies that using natural hormones does not pose such risks, based on French studies.

💡Healthcare Education

Healthcare education in the video refers to the need for better training of medical professionals and public awareness about menopause. The script emphasizes the importance of educating doctors, as well as the general public, to improve the management and understanding of menopause.

💡Sexual Health

Sexual health in the context of the video relates to the impact of menopause on a woman's intimate relationships and experiences. The script mentions issues such as body image changes, decreased libido, and vaginal dryness, which can affect quality of life and for which the video suggests there are treatments available.

💡Political Will

Political will in the script refers to the commitment and actions of government and policymakers to address the challenges posed by menopause. The video mentions recent invitations to the National Assembly in France to discuss legislative changes that could improve women's health and workplace conditions.

Highlights

By 2030, 1.2 billion women will have passed the age of 50 and will experience menopause.

Menopause is a period marked by the end of ovulation and menstruation, accompanied by sometimes debilitating symptoms.

Menopause is still stigmatized as a sign of old age and is a taboo subject that is just beginning to be discussed in economic, political, and health conversations.

In the UK, the issue of menopause is being addressed, and the concept is being introduced into law, requiring companies to support mature women in the workplace.

Tracy's story illustrates the lack of awareness and support surrounding menopause, leading to anxiety and depression.

Tracy's experience with a hysterectomy at 48 years old highlights the lack of information provided about the potential impacts of menopause.

Under the new UK legislation, menopause symptoms are considered a disability, and employers are legally responsible for the well-being of their employees.

Flexible working hours and air conditioning are examples of accommodations made for employees experiencing menopause.

Menopause can cost the British economy 14 million workdays per year, with one in ten women leaving their jobs due to severe symptoms.

Caroline Haris was the first to speak about menopause in the British Parliament, highlighting the societal impact of menopause beyond individual women.

Menopause is not only a women's issue but affects society as a whole, with increased divorce rates, suicides, and domestic violence.

International measures are needed to combat the ignorance and stereotypes surrounding menopause.

The application 'omena' is designed to support women during menopause, addressing the heavy symptoms and their impact on careers.

Menopause is unique in the animal kingdom, with examples such as the menopausal female pilot whale leading her group.

The application 'omena' is now being offered to businesses to provide as a service to their employees, recognizing the link between an individual's health and their work performance.

10% of women in England leave work due to menopause symptoms, and menopause contributes to salary inequalities.

Menopause is not just about hot flashes; it also has long-term health implications, including cardiovascular health and osteoporosis risk.

There is a fear around hormone replacement therapy due to misconceptions about increased breast cancer risk.

The World Economic Forum has shown that addressing women's health, including menopause, could save $1 trillion annually.

The first cause of death in women is cardiovascular diseases, which are not well understood in women.

There is a need for political will to address the issue of menopause, including education, medical training, and public awareness.

The priority is to end the taboo around menopause and view it as an opportunity for women to develop professionally and socially.