France announces new healthcare measures for menopause support

During the Assises de la ménopause, French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced a series of measures designed to better support women experiencing menopause. The initiative follows recommendations from a mission commissioned by Emmanuel Macron.

Key measures include the reinforcement of the ‘Mon Bilan Prévention’ system, which offers health professional consultations to individuals aged 45 to 50 to improve information and guidance. Other planned actions include the introduction of ‘long menopause consultations,’ an increased role for midwives, and the dissemination of new recommendations from the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) to healthcare providers.

Menopause affects more than 17 million women in France aged 45 and older. The medical condition can lead to invalidating symptoms and increased risks for future pathologies, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive decline. Minister Rist emphasized the need for more accessible information and a more organized care pathway to move away from a system where women often have to manage the condition alone.