Michigan Women\u2019s Commission launches \u2018Menopause: It\u2019s a Movement!\u2019 statewide conversations\u00a0<\/p>\n
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.\u2014 The Michigan Women’s Commission (MWC) recently hosted a menopause conversation moderated by Senate Majority Leader Winne Brinks.\u00a0These conversations will continue to take place around the state to create a safe space where women can openly share their mid-life health stories and find answers to the questions they have about menopause symptoms and treatments.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m deeply passionate about many aspects of women\u2019s health and menopause healthcare finally getting the spotlight it deserves is wonderful to see,\u201d said\u00a0Senate Majority Leader Winne Brinks. \u201cEspecially given my background as a caseworker aimed at helping businesses and nonprofits improve workplaces, I\u2019m looking forward to creating menopause supportive workplaces for the people of Michigan.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Panelists included:\u00a0Dr. Sarah Arnold, MD, Menopause Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals;\u00a0Natasha Peoples, Nurse Practitioner, Menopause Medicine, Gynecology, Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals;\u00a0Nisha McKenzie, CEO of Women\u2019s+ Health Collective, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner;\u00a0Dr. Laurie Birkholz, Doctor of Medicine, North American Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner;\u00a0Laurie Birkholz\u00a0MD & Associates, and\u00a0Rebecca Greier Horton, Senior Insights Strategist, MillerKnoll.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“”At MillerKnoll, we believe women in mid-life\u2014often at the peak of their careers\u2014deserve workspaces that support their health, comfort, and success,\u201d said\u00a0Rebecca Greier Horton.\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re designing welcoming environments that recognize and respond to the realities of menopause. No one should be held back by their surroundings when they\u2019re leading, innovating, and shaping our communities.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to tell my patients that menopause is absolutely normal, but being in pain and suffering through it is not. And a big part of preventing a negative experience is by curating a strong care team, which can be difficult when there\u2019s so little information about midlife care,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Sarah Arnold.\u00a0\u201cBecause of this I really appreciate the Women\u2019s Commission\u2019s work in educating the public and connecting them with healthcare providers who are eager to help!\u201d.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the United States women make up 51% of the population and roughly 75 million women are in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause right now with 6,000 more women reaching menopause each day. A Mayo Clinic study put a price tag on menopause and estimated the costs of worker productivity losses due to menopausal symptoms to be about $1.8 billion per year in the U.S. and related health care costs total over $24 billion.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
“When we create policies and workplace cultures that acknowledge and support women navigating menopause, we\u2019re not only promoting health and dignity \u2014 we\u2019re making a smart investment in our workforce and our economy,\u201d said\u00a0Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. \u201cSupporting women at every stage of their careers helps retain experienced talent, boosts productivity and fosters workplaces where everyone can thrive. The return on that investment is healthier employees, stronger businesses and a more resilient economy for all.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 2024, MWC launched a survey to women across the state regarding their experiences with menopause in the workplace. MWC will use the data to release a report making recommendations to employers and policymakers on how to create menopause-supportive workplaces.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Addressing menopause in the workplace is essential to understanding the full scope of challenges women face across their careers and lives,\u201d said\u00a0Cheryl Bergman, executive director of the Michigan Women\u2019s Commission. \u201cThis work shines a light on an issue too often overlooked, yet one that directly impacts women\u2019s health, economic security, and professional growth. As part of our mission to review the status of women in Michigan, highlight critical issues, and celebrate their contributions, the Menopause Movement is a vital step toward creating policies and workplaces that truly support women at every stage.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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