New Resolution Pushes for 'World Menopause Awareness Month' to Tackle $1.8 Billion in Lost Productivity

This resolution isn't a bill that changes laws or funds new programs, but it’s a big signal about where policy attention is heading. It officially backs the recognition of October 2025 as "World Menopause Awareness Month" and recognizes October 18 as World Menopause Day. Why does this matter? Because the text lays out the real-world impact of menopause, noting that these symptoms cost the U.S. economy an estimated $1.8 billion annually in lost working time. Essentially, this is the government saying, “We see the problem, and it’s a big one.”

The Real Cost of Hot Flashes

This resolution puts numbers to what many women already know: menopausal symptoms are often severe and disruptive. The document cites data showing that common symptoms like hot flashes (experienced by up to three out of four women), memory loss, and anxiety can last an average of 7 to 9 years—and sometimes a decade or more. For the 25-45 crowd, this is a heads-up about a major life transition that often isn't talked about until it’s already happening.

More critically for the workplace, the resolution highlights that nearly one in five menopausal women have left or considered leaving the workforce because of their symptoms. Think about your colleagues, managers, or employees—this affects productivity across the board, whether you’re on a construction site or in a coding sprint. By 2030, the global population of menopausal and post-menopausal women is projected to hit 1.2 billion, making the need for better support urgent.

Pushing for Better Training and Information

The resolution isn't just about awareness; it encourages concrete steps to improve care. It promotes including training about menopause and its treatment options in the required education for health workers before they enter service. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by a doctor about a health concern, you know how crucial specialized training is. This move aims to ensure that future healthcare providers are equipped to handle this common, yet complex, life stage.

Furthermore, it encourages the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS), Defense, and Veterans Affairs (VA) to step up. Specifically, they are asked to provide better information to women and healthcare providers about screening tools and treatment options, conduct additional research, and update current studies. This means if you rely on the VA or military healthcare, or if you’re just looking for reliable public health information from HHS, the resolution is pushing those agencies to prioritize and improve the resources available for managing menopause and perimenopause. While this is a resolution and not a mandate, it sets a clear expectation for federal agencies to focus on improving women's health outcomes and reducing the economic drain caused by untreated symptoms.