Denmark: Citizen proposal seeks menopause support for women

A new citizen proposal in Denmark aims to improve knowledge and support for women experiencing menopause. The initiative, introduced by Marlies Eriksen, suggests that women aged 40-45 should be automatically invited to consultations regarding menopause symptoms and available treatment options.

Anette Tønnes Pedersen, a senior physician in gynecology at Rigshospitalet and lecturer at the University of Copenhagen, expressed support for the underlying need for better information and symptom relief. However, she voiced concerns regarding the proposal to implement mandatory screening for all women in the 40-45 age bracket, describing it as a very extensive measure.

Pedersen suggested that while guidance should ideally be provided by general practitioners, current shortages of doctors, particularly in rural areas, present challenges. She proposed that expanding existing regional clinics, such as those used for contraceptive counseling, could be a viable alternative for managing menopause-related health needs.